UNIVERSITY PARK, PA-- Penn State is full of many traditions: partying, drinking, choking football teams with bad quarterbacks, protests, drinking, THON, Movin’ On, drinking, and of course the recent Mifflin Streak. Unfortunately, the usually peaceful gathering turned violent this past weekend. Police were called in to pepper spray the hell out of the destructive onlookers, who, by then had already leveled McElwain Hall and destroyed a student’s Dodge Omni. This 3-part article looks at different aspects of this past weekend’s festivities.

When Streaking Goes Bad. Part I: The Cause

Above: The Simmons Hall window from which Jessup Ackme sold pretzels during the streak/riot.

             It seemed like a good idea at the time to Jessup Ackme (Junior—Business), but this Springfield Hall Resident had no idea that his actions would cause Penn State’s most destructive riot in days. All it took was a few boxes of stale pretzels and a window to sell them through. Joan Ferguson (Sophmore—Integrative Arts), one of the first purchasers of the now infamous Ackme Pretzels describes her feelings:

             “I was under control of myself for most of the evening, until I started to get hungry. I saw the Ackme Pretzel Stand, and decided to give them my patronage. As I was waiting in line, I felt a slight urge to knock over a bike or something. Once (Jessup) handed me that pretzel through the window, a sudden rage overtook me; I needed to break something… something big.”

             Police Officials now believe that is how the sacking of McElwain began. Jessup Ackme is now in Centre County Jail, on $100,000 bail for instigating a revolution.

When Streaking Goes Bad. Part II: The Destruction & Aftermath


A timeline of the riot:
8:00 pm     1000s have already been served at Ackme Pretzel, and a mob grows at the service entrance of McElwain Hall. It is one hour before the planned streak.
8:05 pm     A Dodge Omni is hot-wired and driven into the South Dining Commons of McElwain: first police dispatch issued.
8:09 pm     Rioters with pieces of pretzel still in their mouths storm through the hole made by the Omni and overtake the entire eastern wing of McElwain. They begin tearing it to the ground.
8:12 pm     Northern McElwain is ransacked by rioters.
8:15 pm     Police arrive to a smoldering pile of rubble where McElwain once stood. Support is called in from neighboring towns.
8:17 pm     Police begin pepper spraying the hell out of anyone in the former McElwain Hall vicinity.
8:25 pm     Police secure the area. The streak is officially called off.

An '89 Dodge Omni, similar to the one shown above, was one of the most serious casualties of the riot.

             University Officials are distressed by the loss of one of their dorms, but are even more concerned by the loss of a pristine Dodge Omni. The owner of the car, Bill Wright, expressed deep sorrow at the loss of his vintage automobile:

             “I had just moved my Omni down to South Halls, to avoid having it blown up in Lot 83; I guess I just should have taken my chances by leaving it there. How could such a fine and well-built car see such a horrific end? I’m sure going to…*sob*… miss the standard map-light.”

             Miraculously, no one was hurt in the riot. Apparently everyone in McElwain was either part of the riot, or at their boyfriend’s dorm room.

When Streaking Goes Bad. Part III: An Alternative for the Future

McElwain fire is engulfed by flames during the riot on Sunday night.

             Organizers of the annual Mifflin Streak were sorely disappointed that they could not hold the streak, and were equally disheartened by the loss of such a great car. They also believe that this riot will further tarnish the image of Penn State, and are considering holding the streak off-campus next year. A prime location for the event would be Atherton Street. Organizers are also considering a name change for the streak, to distinguish future streaks from this streak-gone-bad. Names such as the “Atherton Streak” and the “Business Route 322 West Streak” are being considered. Organizers also noted an additional benefit of moving the streak to Atherton: the acceptance of such actions along that road. “Townies” are often seen randomly streaking on Atherton Street throughout the year. The State College community would embrace the once controversial event, and Penn State’s image would no longer be tarnished by it. Training sessions for next year’s streak will begin in the early Fall.