There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and University of Massachusetts riots after major Boston sporting events. Win or lose, if the Patriots are in the Super Bowl, it’s a given that hordes of students will flock to the pavilion outside of Berkshire Dining Commons, ready to climb poles, set off fireworks, burn clothing and cause mayhem. At a large state university with a student body that is anything but tight knit, riots are one of the only school traditions that bring UMass students from all backgrounds  . UMass students need events where they can come together as a whole and, with sports teams that are subpar (to say the least), the Super Bowl is one of the few opportunities we have. On the other hand, these events come at a great cost to students and the University, sparking the debate about whether or not these types of student demonstrations should be allowed on campus.

From all the emails, dormitory restrictions, early dining hall closings and heightened police presence, it is clear that the University’s administration does not see eye to eye with students on this matter (and for good reason). In 2006, students caused over $100,000 in damages after the UMass football team lost the NCAA FCS National Championship game. In 2012, students clashed with riot police and 14 students were arrested after the Patriots fell to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. Moreover, following the Red Sox’s loss to the Yankees in the 2003 ALCS, students caused $20,000 in damages during a riot where two cars were flipped over. However, after an uneventful post-Super Bowl celebration last year with no arrests, injuries or property damage, it seems that University officials are finally winning the war over student shenanigans.

In the past decade, UMass has been fighting battles on many fronts to crack down on alcohol-fueled, non-University sanctioned events. Blarney Blowout, another time-honored UMass tradition, went the way of the dinosaurs in 2014 after UMass made the news nationally for what Time Magazine described as “drunken chaos.” Whether or not the event got out of hand thanks to out of line students or the extreme tactics used by police trying to contain the event is up for debate. Although Blarney technically still exists, it is not nearly as “great” as it once was. A daytime concert from irrelevant musicians, like Flo Rida and Mike Posner, is a hardly a comparable consolation prize. One thing is for sure, Blarney has been sorely missed by many UMass students.

By no means am I trying to condone aggression toward police or destruction of public or private property. As a taxpayer, I’m not alone when I say that I am less than thrilled when I have to foot the bill for vandalism caused by a handful of drunk hooligans. Nonetheless, there is something to be said for allowing these events to continue on campus and around Amherst. There’s a reason UMass is known as “Zoomass,” a title the majority of students use ironically nowadays. Excessive partying, day drinks at the Townehouses and, most of all, sports riots are all defining characteristics of UMass, and I would consider it nothing short of a travesty for the school’s reputation if these aspects were to disappear from UMass. We need these mischievous activities to spice up the dull atmosphere of Western Massachusetts. Does UMass really want to become a large, boring state school located in the middle of nowhere where fun goes to die? It’s in everyone’s best interest that these events continue.

Aidan Byrne is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at [email protected].