Aggieville Riots
Encyclopedia
The Aggieville Riots occurred in 1984 and 1986 in Manhattan, Kansas
, following football games between Kansas State University
and the University of Kansas
. They were some of the earliest collegiate sports-related riots in the United States
.
On October 13, 1984, Kansas State defeated KU 24-7 in football. That evening, Kansas State students and townspeople gathered to celebrate the victory in Aggieville
, a student entertainment district in Manhattan filled with bars. An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people jammed the main street outside the bars. As night fell, the revelers turned violent, smashing windows and signs, overturning a car, and uprooting street signs. Police who attempted to intervene were chased by students who hurled obscenities and bottles at them. Five police officers were cornered for a time and pelted with rocks and bottles. At one point, the Kansas Highway Patrol called Governor John W. Carlin
's office to request that he declare a state of emergency
and send Kansas National Guard
troops to Aggieville – ultimately, this was not done.
Ten people were injured in the riot
, including six police officers. Twenty-four arrests were made.
This was not the only sports-related riot that weekend. One night after the Aggieville Riot, Detroit suffered widespread looting and violence in the wake of the Detroit Tigers
' victory in the 1984 World Series
over the San Diego Padres
.
Two years later, despite a number of precautions, Aggieville was the site of another riot after Kansas State again defeated KU 29-12 on October 18, 1986. Students wearing t-shirts that said "Riotville" and "Riot II" mingled amongst 4,000 to 6,000 people that again filled the main street outside the bars. As night fell, the crowd again turned violent. Almost every building in Aggieville had its windows smashed, people climbed to the tops of several buildings, and a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle
was rolled over and torched. Eighteen arrests were made. Although the property damage was greater in 1986, injuries were limited.
In 1987, Manhattan was again the site of the KSU-KU football game, but this time the town completely cordoned-off Aggieville and brought in police officers from all over the state of Kansas
to control entry points and patrol the streets inside. This ended the cycle of violence. A 17-17 tie in what became known as the "Toilet Bowl" left little cause for celebration on either side.
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
, following football games between Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
and the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. They were some of the earliest collegiate sports-related riots in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
On October 13, 1984, Kansas State defeated KU 24-7 in football. That evening, Kansas State students and townspeople gathered to celebrate the victory in Aggieville
Aggieville
Aggieville is the name of six square blocks consisting of college-age oriented bars, restaurants and shops in Manhattan, Kansas, USA.- History :...
, a student entertainment district in Manhattan filled with bars. An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people jammed the main street outside the bars. As night fell, the revelers turned violent, smashing windows and signs, overturning a car, and uprooting street signs. Police who attempted to intervene were chased by students who hurled obscenities and bottles at them. Five police officers were cornered for a time and pelted with rocks and bottles. At one point, the Kansas Highway Patrol called Governor John W. Carlin
John W. Carlin
John William Carlin served as fortieth Governor of Kansas from 1979 to 1987, and Archivist of the United States from May 30, 1995, to February 15, 2005.-Biography:...
's office to request that he declare a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
and send Kansas National Guard
Kansas National Guard
The Kansas National Guard, is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of Kansas. It comprises both the Kansas Army National Guard and the Kansas Air National Guard. The Governor of Kansas is Commander-in-Chief of the Kansas National Guard when in state use...
troops to Aggieville – ultimately, this was not done.
Ten people were injured in the riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
, including six police officers. Twenty-four arrests were made.
This was not the only sports-related riot that weekend. One night after the Aggieville Riot, Detroit suffered widespread looting and violence in the wake of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
' victory in the 1984 World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
over the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
Two years later, despite a number of precautions, Aggieville was the site of another riot after Kansas State again defeated KU 29-12 on October 18, 1986. Students wearing t-shirts that said "Riotville" and "Riot II" mingled amongst 4,000 to 6,000 people that again filled the main street outside the bars. As night fell, the crowd again turned violent. Almost every building in Aggieville had its windows smashed, people climbed to the tops of several buildings, and a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
was rolled over and torched. Eighteen arrests were made. Although the property damage was greater in 1986, injuries were limited.
In 1987, Manhattan was again the site of the KSU-KU football game, but this time the town completely cordoned-off Aggieville and brought in police officers from all over the state of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
to control entry points and patrol the streets inside. This ended the cycle of violence. A 17-17 tie in what became known as the "Toilet Bowl" left little cause for celebration on either side.