The State College Police Department issued multiple citations Saturday night after students and other Penn State fans celebrated in the streets for the second time in one week.
Fans gathered on Beaver Avenue around midnight Sunday to celebrate Penn State’s win against Rutgers.
While officials described the event as mostly peaceful, officers did cite several people including a 19-year-old man who reportedly climbed a light post in the area of Beaver Avenue and Locust Lane.
Another man was cited for disorderly conduct around 3:15 a.m. after he reportedly failed to obey officers when ordered to disperse. Police say the man tried to incite the crowd.
During the same time period, police also cited another man for reportedly interfering as medics tried to assist a patient.
The gathering downtown early Sunday marked the second Penn State celebration in less than one week.
Thousands of students celebrated on Sept 8, after the NCAA announced its decision to lift the bowl ban for Penn State’s football program.
Students started gathering on campus outside of Old Main before heading over the Beaver Stadium and then congregating on Beaver Avenue in downtown State College. The informal celebration started about 9 p.m. Friday and ended around 1 a.m. Saturday.
During that gathering, police say minimal damage occurred. Some construction signs were knocked over with one or two other signs now missing.
Police also arrested two men who scaled light poles. One of them was also cited for underage drinking.
Police said the crowd dispersed on its own after rejoicing responsibly.
However, State College police Lt. Mark Argiro says he hopes Penn State students and fans do not make a habit out of celebrating each football win, in part, because such events can easily get out of control and become dangerous.
“I’m hoping it’s not setting a precedent that every victory is going to have to result in that,” he says.
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