UNH Prepares for Frozen Four Celebrations

The UNH men's hockey team, THE WILDCATS, HEADS OFF TO Minnesota for the NCAA Frozen Four tournament next week. BUT HERE ON THE HOME FRONT officials are taking steps to thwart any incidents that could cause damage in the college community. Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig said that a great deal of pre-planning has gone into the upcoming event.

(SOT Selig) : 28 (Slight upcut) "Including a much higher police presence in the community over the weekend for the frozen four, as well as we'll have members of our fire department, police department and public works department standing by to insure if there is any type of inappropriate celebration that is brought forth by the students, we're able to, in a very timely way, deal with that and hold the appropriate persons accountable."

After the PATRIOTS WON THE Super Bowl in February, about two thousand students celebrated in the streets. SOME set furniture, a cross walk sign, uprooted trees and debris on fire in the Middle of Madbury Road. The damage, plus overtime for police, firefighters and public works crew workers, amounted to nearly $2800, and UNH PAID THE BILL. Durham police Chief Rene Kelley SAYS THAT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME CELEBRATIONS HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.

(SOT Kelley) :24 "In 1999, when the University reached the final round of the frozen four, we had two incidents on Main Street, in front of the bars where large fires were set, and large crowds gathered, so, having that in mind, we will be planning accordingly, having our officers posted at locations where we know there have been problems in the past."

It was on the sidewalk in front of Mike Libby's Bar and Grill on Main Street where one fire was set in FEBRUARY. POLICE HAVE ASKED Libby and other liquor license holders in town to curtail any promotional price nights, at least for the weekend of the tournament.

(SOT Libby) :10 "They ask me to do something, and I've very happy to help in any way I can, and I need help, there always there for me. There's always been a good, cooperative effort between the two, between us."

Police say they haven't yet heard back from all the establishments, but are hopeful all will cooperate to keep the weekend drinking down. For its part, the University is also taking STEPS TO ENSURE students enjoy the tournament. Dot Sheehan, Assistant Athletic Director, said that part of that is the planned pep rally Tuesday afternoon in front of the dairy bar.

(SOT Sheehan) :20 "Part of our pep rally is a huge banner that the team will get to take on the bus with them. We will have under the railroad, under the train stop there, we will have this paper all set out on tables, and all the fans can come by and write their congratulatory wishes, their best wishes."

Large screen televisions, set up at several locations in the University's Memorial Union Building, will encourage students to enjoy the tournament on campus. And, win or lose, the University plans an all campus celebration, with a sanctioned bonfire, on the Thompson Hall lawn Saturday night, April 6th. While it remains to be seen whether the pre-planning taking place will head off problems, Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelley credited the University for taking appropriate steps.

(SOT Kelley) :22 "I think the University has made a tremendous effort to reach out to all the UNH fans and have made an effort to provide them with a venue to celebrate, come together, so we're hopeful that they will, the UNH fans will partake of that."

THE WILDCATS PLAY AGAINST MAINE THURSDAY, APRIL 4TH IN ST PAUL, MINNESOTA. For NHPR News, this is Roger Wood.