UMass launches melee investigation

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst will take swift disciplinary action against students who rioted following the school's loss in the Division I-AA football championship, a university spokesman said Saturday.

"I'm outraged and terribly disappointed in the students involved in this disturbance," Michael Gargano, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life, said in a statement. "This type of behavior hurts the majority of our students who are preparing and studying for final exams and are at the university for all the right reasons."

After the loss Friday night to Appalachian State in the championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn., more than 1,800 students poured out of dorms and broke windows, set fires to trashcans and hurled rocks and full beer cans. Two police officers, one from the university and one from Amherst, were hit with rocks and treated for bruises, said university spokesman Ed Blaguszewski. State Police in riot gear and local police backed up the 60 university police, arresting 11 people, including 10 students, according to UMass-Amherst Police Chief Barbara O'Connor.

Blaguszewski said students could face suspension and possible expulsion for their role in the melee.

Those arrested face charges including breaking and entering, assault and battery and disorderly conduct. One person was also charged with possession of marijuana. O'Connor said the university may also use security cameras and photographs from the riot to identify other students. She said students would face both criminal charges and university judicial sanctions.