As the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears suited up for Super Bowl XLI, UMass Police, supported by Amherst Police and Massachusetts State Police, donned their riot gear in preparation for a nighttime patrol of the campus during and after the game. According to the Daily Collegian, the patrol is one of many extra precautionary measures undertaken by University officials in light of a riot that had taken place in two months prior.

On Dec. 26, 2006, shortly after the UMass football team lost theNational Championship game to Appalachian State University in Chattanooga, Tenn., approximately 1,800 students flooded into a plaza in the southwest residential area of the UMass campus. During the course of the riot, students lit several small fires and smashed over 100 windows.

When police officers tried to restore order, they found themselves the targets of flying bottles, beer cans, trash cans and even a bicycle or two. One officer, Chief of Police Barbara O'Connor, was nearly hit by a jug of water thrown from an upper window of a nearby building. According to UMass campus spokesman Ed Blaguszewski, it took about 60 officers, including UMass, state and Amherst police, in riot gear using pepper spray, sting balls, flash bangs and smoke, to disperse the rioters.

Ten people were arrested that night, charged with rioting, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, malicious destruction of property, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of illegal substances and mistreatment/interference with a police horse/dog. Five students were expelled and approximately 70 others face potential prosecution.

In hopes of preventing another riot, school administrators enacted a special residence hall guest policy for Super Bowl Sunday in addition to setting up extra patrols. Only UMass students with valid identification were allowed into their residence halls with allowance for up to two non-resident student guests. Residents were barred from leaving their dorms upon conclusion of the game.

According to the Daily Collegian, an e-mail addressed to every undergraduate student from UMass Vice Chancellor Mike Gargano and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Charlena Seymour condemned the past riots and rioters and urging students to take an active role preventing future disruptions. Additionally, the administration distributed approximately 7,000 door hangers inside the dormitories featuring a letter authored by a student facing sanctions for involvement in the past riot.

The administration also provided heated facilities for students who found the entrance to their residence hall blocked by a large gathering after the game.