Unless you just came back from an extended vacation in Honduras, or just were released from prison, you probably have noticed that a certain professional sports team is still competing for a championship. Luckily for the majority of students on this campus, that franchise hails from Massachusetts. The first-place Bruins, upstart Celtics and usual off-season Red Sox banter all have taken a back seat to Patriot Fever that has swept over New England like a February nor’easter.

Everywhere across the state, one cannot help but see people of all ages adorned in Patriots apparel, hear fans speaking of the quarterback controversy, and tune into the local news and find the Pats are part of the lead story. With all the unfortunate news of late, this area finally has something to smile about.

Hector Crespo, Assistant Manager at Champs Sports in the Hampshire Mall, said he has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of Patriots merchandise bought. The boom started two weeks ago on Jan. 18, the Friday before New England defeated the Oakland Raiders at snowy Foxboro Stadium.

“Sales have skyrocketed for the Pats’ stuff,” Crespo commented. He added that the biggest sellers have been jerseys and hats, but T-shirts and sweatshirts have been grabbed off the racks as well.

Here at UMass, the excitement of a potential Super Bowl victory is already in the minds of students across campus. After Sunday’s AFC Championship win, many students could be heard from the streets cheering and rejoicing in their dormitories. Unfortunately, the jubilant celebrations could turn ugly on Sunday after the game ends. Recent incidents in Southwest, including a furniture-burning disturbance following Game 7 of the World Series in October, has security on high alert for this weekend’s championship.

“We encourage anyone that wants to celebrate, celebrate,” said Lt. Chip Thrasher of the UMass Police Department. “At the same time, if anybody chooses to take that celebration and turn it into a criminal act, obviously we’re more than prepared to take whatever action we have (to).”

Thrasher said that the UMPD has been recalled for Sunday night’s championship, and that officers from UMass-Worcester and UMass-Boston will be assisting the force as well. Patrol officers will be on duty before, during, and after the game and into the early morning hours to ensure security. A special team of officers trained in crowd control will also be present to alleviate any situation that gets out of hand.

Thrasher also encouraged students to attend the Super Bowl gathering at the Mullins Center, where there will be a safe, non-alcoholic environment for students to enjoy the game.

Kevin O’Connell, Sales and Marketing Manager at the Mullins Center, expects a crowd of about 2,000-3,000 students to attend the festivities. He said that UMass footballs and keychains will be given away as door prizes, as well as a raffle for students to have a chance to win tickets to the upcoming Wu-Tang Clan (featuring Rahzel of The Roots) show at the Mullins Center.

“Instead of sitting in your dorm room with five of your friends, why not bring 20 of them and come down and have a good time?” O’Connell said. Students will be able to view the games on two theater-size widescreens set up on the Mullins Center floor.

Ultimately, the primary goal is for students to enjoy a good game, and cheer for a Patriots victory, but to maintain a peaceful environment to prevent any property destruction or injury to another student.

“I’d like to think the students on this campus are not going to tear the place apart,” Thrasher said. “But if that becomes a problem, we will be prepared.”