Under ordinary circumstances, when hordes of drunks go on a rampage in which they overturn… Under ordinary circumstances, when hordes of drunks go on a rampage in which they overturn cars, break windows, set fires, destroy property and pelt police officers with bottles and cans, the National Guard would be mobilized and the story would be at the top of the national news.

The aftermath of a Super Bowl victory, though, is not considered to be an ordinary time. The violence and vandalism that can always be anticipated from it are considered part of “fan celebration,” and are largely excused; the hoodlums knowing that the excitement of the hour, the “life-altering victory” of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will keep them from answering for their actions with any serious consequences, such as richly-deserved, lengthy periods of incarceration. If those who rioted in the streets knew that they would pay for their crimes, it would be reasonable to assume that some degree of restraint would be exercised.

It is interesting to note that it is the thugs of the world who are disproportionately drawn to sports. When was the last time riot police had to be brought in to quell unrest at a symphony concert, an art museum or a library?

I am embarrassed for the University of Pittsburgh that its campus was a focal point for the hooliganism.

Oren M. Spiegler

Upper Saint Clair, Pa.

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After reading the tales of destruction laid upon Oakland in the Post-Gazette, I’m ashamed to call myself a Pitt grad. I was in Maryland when students in College Park burned cars after the Terps won the National Title in Basketball.

At the time, I thought there was no way Pitt students would behave so poorly. It’s sad to see that today’s crop of Pitt students are hooligans with no respect for the property of others. Why did celebrating the Steelers win need to involve destroying the property of others? You embarrassed your University, the city of Pittsburgh and, most importantly, yourselves.

I’m glad that I live in Austin now, where no cars or businesses were destroyed when the Longhorns won the National Title in Football. The University of Texas students have the class that, sadly, Pitt students lack. I sincerely hope that neither the Pitt basketball nor football team wins the National Title until the stain of this unworthy crop of students has been cleaned from our campus.

Jason Marcheck

CAS ’97