It's sad that West Virginia University President James Clements had to address the actions of a few on campus during his annual State of University speech earlier this week.
A speech that was glowing with the university's recent achievements and accolades and outlined new projects and initiatives was preceded by a warning, and rightfully so, to the relatively few - given the university's overall attendance of about 30,000 students - who decided to celebrate the Mountaineers' football win over Texas by starting street and trash can fires in Morgantown.
What's worse is some police officers were injured after bricks and bottles were thrown at several city fire engines, vehicles and officials, and in one incident, a light pole was toppled and tossed into a fire.
These kinds of post-game victory "celebrations" are well-known in Morgantown and on other campuses across America, including Ohio State University, but that certainly doesn't make them acceptable.
Three of our region's major college football programs are in good standing - the Mountaineers, the Ohio University Bobcats and OSU Buckeyes. Many of our local residents attend these universities. Many others are alumni. Such misbahvior is dangerous, and criminal, and we want to reiterate that this behavior is juvenile and should not be tolerated. When it happens, it's a black eye on all of us.
Reports indicate that several people have been charged with malicious burning following WVU's events, but will that stop further outbreaks of burning following WVU wins? We have our doubts. We hope common sense prevails among the young students on campus who would even consider such behavior.
