Oct 25, 2014 2 min read

After reading several news reports on the post-game rioting and destruction of public property in Morgantown, W.Va., there may be one solution which could quell further vandalism and mayhem after West Virginia University’s football games.

It seems that this disturbance commenced after 10 p.m., under the cover of darkness, and when partygoers had all day, and all evening, to get “alcohol-fueled,” as is suspected by the university’s administration and the Morgantown police. I would suggest that all of WVU’s football games be rescheduled to start at 10:00 am, and be completed three hours later, except for required overtime.

Most likely, the NCAA would be opposed to this, but it’s not their community that is being wrecked, nor their reputation as a fine university being tarnished nationwide. Now, we all know the NCAA is all about huge sums of money from TV revenue. But there is no doubt that something positive and drastic has to be instituted by WVU before some drunken fools burn the town down, injure themselves or injure innocent fans and students.

This drastic measure would not have to last forever. Maybe games could be scheduled for early afternoon starts after a reasonable “probation” period is completed. Maybe four seasons would be enough for the University to rid itself of the troublemakers and their recklessness, then plant and develop a new culture of respectable sportsmanship and adult behavior within its student body.

Ronald J. Yamka

Canonsburg