SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety is expected to increase campus patrols on Friday, March 19th, in preparation for the University’s NCAA basketball tournament game.
Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team was one of the last teams to be granted a spot in this year’s March Madness tournament following a streaky end to the season, where the team won 9 out of the last 13 games. During the team’s strong month of February, Syracuse students started to take more interest in the team, culminating with the flood of support shown through social media upon the team’s acceptance into the NCAA tournament.
Andrew Buchan, a sophomore from Atlantic City, New Jersey, has never been more invested in the Syracuse basketball team as he is right now:
“I didn’t really follow them last year, no. I actually just recently started following them last month because they started doing well, and because of a couple cute players,” Buchan said.
With excitement, however, comes recklessness, and at Syracuse University recklessness comes in the form of parties and large gatherings during a pandemic.
“I’m looking forward to the school coming together on Friday, and I’ve already gotten word of some parties too that are happening,” Buchan continued.
The word of parties and gatherings for the anticipated March Madness game on Friday night has already begun to spread like wildfire, as Buchan isn’t the only person to have been informed of them. Syracuse University Department of Public Safety Officer Ryan Smith has also been informed of potential parties on Friday, March 19th.
“We’ll be on the lookout for gatherings. We’re expected to increase hourly patrols on main and south campus from 6 pm to 12 am,” Officer Smith said.
Officer Smith went on to add that even though some students have already been vaccinated, they still should not take risks and respect the university’s Stay Safe Pledge, as there are currently already more than 50 active cases on campus.
#11 seed Syracuse University will take on #6 San Diego State University at 9:40 pm on Friday, March 19th on CBS, live from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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DPS cars await duty while parked in the headquarters lot on the Syracuse campus during a snowy February day.
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