In October 2008, riotous behavior erupted downtown. With the Phillies in the World Series again, police are preparing for the possibility of students flooding the streets in coming days.
Tensions were high Wednesday night after the Philadelphia Phillies clinched a trip to the World Series, keeping their hopes of winning another title alive.
A crowd of about 50 red-clad Phillies fans gathered in front of McLanahan's Wednesday night banging pots and pans, chanting lines like "F--- the Yankees" and "Repeat."
"I heard the cowbells, and I came running," Robert Gates (freshman-business) said.
Though no citations were issued during the celebrations, a parked police car sat in front of the 110 E. College Ave. store as the crowd gathered.
One student dressed in Phillies attire led the crowd as he stood atop a ledge and banged a cowbell. The police eventually intervened.
"You guys have had your fun, and it's time to leave," an officer told the crowd. "You're being borderline disorderly."
One year ago, thousands of students erupted in a riot on Beaver Avenue after Penn State's football team beat Ohio State 13-6.
Nittany Lion fans tore down two lampposts and at least two parking meters during the night, and six cars -- including a police cruiser -- were damaged.
Officers, unable to control the boisterous crowd, flipped down their face guards and brought out the pepper spray, sending students scattering down Beaver Avenue. The riot cost the borough $10,000 in repairs.
But police are ready to combat students who might try to riot this year.
Penn State Police Deputy Director Tyrone Parham said he's expecting students to gather and celebrate following the World Series, but he doesn't think the crowd will be uncontrollable.
"Traditionally, we haven't seen riotous behaviors on campus," Parham said. "We're prepared to assist the State College Police with any support they request."
State College Borough Council President Elizabeth Goreham said she expects a modest celebration in State College, but she hopes fans will drive home to Philadelphia or New York to celebrate, depending on who wins the World Series.
"It does damage to Penn State's reputation, the students' reputation as well as to our town," Goreham said. "It's embarrassing. It tarnishes our reputation."
Last Wednesday, Chris Schlitt (freshman-biochemistry) said he was watching the baseball game in his apartment and then heard noise. He and his roommates ran down to College Avenue.
"We paraded down College Avenue, to the HUB and then through the HUB and back down to College Avenue," Schlitt said. "And we kept singing 'High Hopes' for Harry Kalas."
State College Police Sgt. Chris Fishel said Wednesday night's cheers didn't get out of control -- especially compared to the half-hour-long celebration after the Phillies won the World Series last year. That night, police in riot gear waited on Beaver Avenue as students shared in a minor celebration.
There was no property damage, and no students were arrested or cited. Last Wednesday was no different.
"It was just some yelling and cheering," Fishel said. "It was typical."
