:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42248290/20141018_tcb_gb3_017.JPG.0.jpg)
The WVU student body took to the streets last night to celebrate the Mountaineers big 41-27 win over the fourth ranked Baylor Bears and they did so in an embarrassing, unacceptable, and childish fashion.
At around 10:30pm, things took a turn for the worst when pictures of large crowds of students on High Street and Grant Avenue started to spread around twitter.
It only got worse from there. WPXI's Dave Bondy tweeted out this video at 12:44am that shows Morgantown Police Department shooting rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds on Grant Avenue.
Mayhem continued and twitter reacted with mixed feelings about what was taking place:
From WVU Student President Chris Nyden:
We are a big time college football program. It's time to stop acting like children when we win big games.
— Christopher Nyden (@ChrisNyden) October 19, 2014
I hope after this, #WVU students get the message that this isn't ok. You harm your future career and EVERYONE else who has a WVU degree
— William Hirsch (@WHirschSports) October 19, 2014
BREAKING: Police in riot gear in Morgantown, WV. People rioting after WVU win vs Baylor. Pic from twitter pic.twitter.com/jrK8MQvlCD
— Dave Bondy (@WPXI_DaveBondy) October 19, 2014
WVU RIOT pic.twitter.com/ffWoStOBxx
— Xzavier Howard (@NikeOverAll_XH) October 19, 2014
This morning, Morgantown Police Department released this press release about last nights events. The Morgantown Fire Department also released a Press Release stating they responded to 37 fires and that they expect that number to rise. They also stated one fire engine and two administrative vehicles were damaged from thrown debris.
I'm going to say what needs to be said as a recent (and proud) WVU graduate. I'll leave it up to you if you want to agree with me or not.
This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable and it needs to stop now! WVU Football is back and this program is going to win some big games in a big conference. Your actions after beating Baylor at home put WVU on a national pedestal for the wrong reasons.
Destroying city property, breaking into construction sites and throwing rocks and beer bottles at police is embarrassing to the University, its embarrassing to your families and most of all its embarrassing to all WVU graduates. It fuels the fire for others who want to judge WVU. Stop giving them a reason to think WVU students will never grow up.
Most importantly, these childish actions tarnish all the hard work and all the sacrifices we all have had to make, and still have to make to earn our degrees from a school we love so dearly.
You may not realize it, but you are jeopardizing your future career and tarnishing every WVU graduates degree with this kind of stupidity.
Please grow up!
Go to every Mountaineer football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, rifle, gymnastics game or match and be loud. Be proud.
Celebrate big victories by going out and displaying school pride, but do so responsibly. Go out in the streets and celebrate. Starts school pride cheers, but do so responsibly and reasonably.
There is a line that should not be crossed. If you can't drink without crossing that line, then don't drink. There is nothing wrong or boring about celebrating sober. Who knows, maybe you'll enjoy it more.
Stop bringing shame to the Mountaineer name!