“The Super Bowl has become an excuse to party. It has become a part of our culture. We as a society are looking for ways to affiliate with others. We're very social creatures. People have found a way to link up with other people who share a common bond. The TV is inside, and it's cold outside. That's where people want to be. People get together and consume the event together.”
“No one wants to curb enthusiasm, but in the process if people are getting injured schools can't allow that to happen. You may see a further separation from players and fans. The problem is when fans really do become part of the action.”
“They didn't sort of imagine this as the way of expressing their exhilaration. They've seen other schools on TV storm the court - and that becomes the celebration that's accepted among the student bodies.”
“By now, you've had several years where this has sort of become the norm - and you can tell it's a pretty powerful norm, because people storm the court after a win that's not that big a win. It used to be reserved for beating a hated rival or winning a championship. Now you win a game against a lesser opponent, and you still do it.”
“It's so much a part of the sports lore that if the media quit showing it, it might have a minimal effect - but it's pretty much wrapped up in mainstream sport now.”
