MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon stood under the protection of a tree at the corner of Waters Edge Drive and Cedar Street.
All around her, some 2,000 people stood on the lawns and sidewalks of the area apartments. In the streets before her, officers from six area police agencies worked crowd control.
“We have continued to have confidence in our students to behave in a way to bring pride to themselves and the university,” she said Saturday, hours after MSU’s Final Four loss to Arizona.
By Sunday, now out of the cold and drizzling rain, Simon could back up her confidence in students with their actions the night before.
“I think we have to be pleased with students and their guests,” she said. “While celebrating they represented our university and community well.”
About 30 people were arrested throughout the night for mostly alcohol-related offenses, indecent exposure, throwing bottles and other minor crimes, East Lansing police Sgt. Mark Van Dewouwer said.
There were no major crimes reported.
“It was pretty quiet considering the number of people who were out,” Van Dewouwer said.
The scene stood a stark contrast to the images of the March 27-28, 1999, riot, when an estimated 10,000 people flooded East Lansing streets after MSU lost in the Final Four to Duke.
That night saw 132 arrests and more than $250,000 in damage to the city and university.
And although police did have to bring in six officers on horseback to clear the crowd from Waters Edge Drive on Saturday, no officers were seen in full riot gear.
“It was very little more than a typical busy weekend in East Lansing,” said East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton, who added officials had hoped to see some celebration Saturday night.
Celebrations last year after the men’s basketball team won the NCAA Championship saw some 15,000 people crowded into the Cedar Village area.
Police had been prepared to deal with similar numbers this year, but also had to take a look at a history of disturbances in the city.
Fortunately, officials said, students seemed to police themselves Saturday.
“All the conversations that have taken place in residence halls and classrooms over the last few weeks showed in the behavior of our students,” said Simon, who earlier this month sent an e-mail to professors asking them to discuss celebration tactics with students during class.
“Last night, whenever someone started to get out of line, it was students who brought them back in line.”
