Chaotic UConn Championship Celebrations Lead to Arrests, Hospitalizations in Storrs

After an evening that featured significant celebrations over UConn’s fifth national championship on Monday, 15 people were arrested and 16 people were hospitalized in Storrs, Conn. by early Tuesday morning according to the university.

More than 10,000 fans attended the watch party in the school’s basketball arena, Gampel Pavilion, and many took to the streets to party and celebrate the win. However, chaos ensued as a result of the celebrations leading to broken light poles and windows, a turned over vehicle, and multiple fires set to trash cans and benches.

UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz told the Associated Press that “The vast majority of those celebrating the Husky victory last night did so safely and responsibly,” but that “a small number chose to risk their safety and that of others by vandalizing and destroying property after the game.”

Down goes a light pole at @UConn. Students rowdy and lively on campus after @UConnMBB win the national championship. @NBCConnecticut pic.twitter.com/m1dNbklOGA

— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChentv) April 4, 2023

Of the 16 people hospitalized, none of the injuries are considered critical or life-threatening, according to Reitz. Classes are being conducted on campus on Tuesday as scheduled.

The Huskies culminated a dominant NCAA tournament with an emphatic 76–59 victory over San Diego State on Monday night. Dan Hurley became the third coach in the history of the program to win a national championship, as UConn became the fifth team since 1985 to win all six tournament games by double-figures.