- Associated Press - Tuesday, April 5, 2011

STORRS, CONN. (AP) - Fans who were celebrating UConn’s national championship were causing minor property damage on campus and in Storrs, and several have been arrested.




Authorities say that arrests were made off campus, but it’s not clear how many people were taken into custody nor what they were charged with.


Associated Press videojournalist Ted Shaffrey contributed to this report.


STORRS, Conn. (AP) _ Thousands of Connecticut students stormed the court at Gampel Pavilion on Monday night as if the Huskies had just won the national championship at home.

More than 8,000 fans, mostly students, had nearly filled UConn’s home arena to watch the game on the scoreboards and three large screens set up on the floor.

They erupted every time the Huskies scored. The sound became deafening when Jeremy Lamb made a 3-pointer to put UConn ahead in the second half. And with about 30 seconds left and the game no longer in doubt, they began pouring onto the arena floor to celebrate UConn’s third national championship, and first since 2004.

“Oh my God, Oh my God,” screamed UConn women’s basketball star Maya Moore, as she put her hands on her head while watching her fellow students bounce up and down at midcourt.


“We became Huskies for this reason,” said Kaitlyn Herman, a sophomore from Boston. “To just feel this school spirit, to all be here together, just cheering on this one team and just to celebrate together. It’s what we stand for.”

The students began filling Gampel Pavilion two hours before game time, chanting “Kemba Walker,” and “U-C-O-N-N, UConn, UConn, UConn.”

Sophomore Ryan King, 19, of Berwyn, Pa., came with his body painted blue and a big white “M” on his chest _ part of a group spelling out the name “KEMBA.”

“It’s magical, man,” he said. “The student body coming together, not many people get to see a Final Four while they’re here.


Some were arrested, but it’s not clear how many people were taken into custody nor what they were charged with.



“Nothing can be gained from harmful, destructive, or criminal actions,” they wrote. “However, anyone who engages in this sort of behavior does have a great deal to lose, including risking arrest and possible expulsion from the university.”



“It’s going to be crazy all night, maybe even tomorrow and tomorrow night,” she said. “We were just talking about it and we think they should cancel class tomorrow _ parade all day.”


Most of them came out into the arena to watch at the least the end of the men’s game, hugging, cheering and crying as the seconds ticked off the clock.

“To be here and to celebrate their accomplishments it definitely lifts our spirits a little bit,” said freshman center Stefanie Dolson. “Although our season didn’t work out, it’s just good to know that our guys’ did.”


Associated Press videojournalist Ted Shaffrey contributed to this report.