Villanova winning the national championship means that Philadelphia got to celebrate; and when Philly celebrates, it celebrates hard. A viewing party on campus spilled out into the streets and things got out of hand.
A complete timeline of Villanova’s fiery, injury-filled celebration
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
11:27 p.m. -- Villanova wins.
NOVA WINS pic.twitter.com/t0xBqTnOS4
— Justine McDaniel (@McDanielJustine) April 5, 2016
11:30 p.m. -- Students leave the arena and take to the streets.
They're headed to the streets now. pic.twitter.com/Mbrvd7R2ra
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
12:01 a.m. -- Celebrations are peaceful and in check.
Celebrations relatively quiet so far, but hundreds more streaming to Lancaster. Cops stand by with bikes, riot gear pic.twitter.com/s1vy4w7GnZ
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
12:26 a.m. -- The descent into madness begins.
A fire is burning in the courtyard in front of Sheehan Hall, students chanting & feeding it. pic.twitter.com/7mCFsayIB6
— Justine McDaniel (@McDanielJustine) April 5, 2016
Some beer cans are flying. Student on someone's shoulders chugs huge bottle of liquor, to cheers from crowd.
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
12:59 a.m. -- Remaining fans continue being rowdy.
Villanova crowd has thinned a bit, but hundreds still partying in street. pic.twitter.com/wxdDAomAxI
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
1:02 a.m. -- The fire begins to get out of control.
The fire is now quite high. Some flames taller than people pic.twitter.com/Mw6932Kkrc
— Justine McDaniel (@McDanielJustine) April 5, 2016
1:14 a.m. -- The bush fire is out, police attempt to disperse crowd.
Smoke rising from burning bush at Ithan and Lancaster. Police moved in to disperse crowd moments later. pic.twitter.com/bssDJXa2m9
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
1:38 a.m. -- First arrests of the night.
Police cleared the quad and now most students still out are at Lancaster Ave. 3 arrests and >15 injuries so far, police said.
— Justine McDaniel (@McDanielJustine) April 5, 2016
1:48 a.m. -- Villanova fans or a mob hunting Frankenstein’s monster?
More fires on campus. pic.twitter.com/8jkujhUdxx
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
1:49 a.m. -- Time to mock your opponent.
Another tree branch in fire, to chants of "F$&@ UNC"
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
2:42 a.m. -- Police continue working before moving out.
And a group cops roll out of Villanova campus on Septa buses. That's a wrap, I guess.
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 5, 2016
2:45 a.m. -- New arrest/ injury count.
Police have cleared off Lancaster & most students headed home. Last count: ~25 minor injuries, 5 to hospital, 6-8 arrested, 1 cited.
— Justine McDaniel (@McDanielJustine) April 5, 2016
5:45 a.m. -- Class is cancelled.
Villanova students got a text and email alert about 15mins ago... University is closed and classes canceled today
— Kaylee Hartung (@KayleeHartung) April 5, 2016
h/t Philly.com
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