Couch fires. Flipped cars. Drunken hooligans. How State Street became UK party central
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said police will begin joint patrols with the University of Kentucky police starting Thursday in the State Street area after UK students flipped cars and burned couches after the Wildcats’ win over the University of Florida on Sept. 10.
“It’s been a while because the pandemic but we’re going to start partnering again and we’re going to actively and more affirmatively address some of the things that we’re seeing before they get out of hand both on campus and off campus,” Weathers said at a press conference Wednesday. “We’re not going to turn a blind eye to that.”
One victim of Saturday night’s out-of-control partying was Zach Preston who tried to stop the mob as it picked up his Honda Accord and flipped it over.
Chris Preston, Zach’s father, has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to get the vehicle replaced.
“He is a student at UK and a mob vandalized his vehicle after the end of the game. He has zero money and, that vehicle was a family car we have owned for years. He was physically attacked when he tried to stop the mob,” Preston wrote on GoFundMe.
Lexington Police have said they are investigating. There were multiple videos taken during the incident and posted to social media. UK officials have also said students involved could be in trouble for violating the university’s code of conduct.
But it’s not the first time cars have been flipped in the State Street area, which since at least 2012 has been the epicenter of UK partying after major sports victories and even defeats.
In 2018, after UK football beat Florida, another car was flipped on State Street by revelers. The owner of the vehicle was not a UK student. He was visiting the area.
A GoFundMe account was started to replace that car as well. Ultimately, a Nicholasville car dealer stepped in and replaced the car.
It does not appear there were any arrests in relation to the 2018 incident despite photos and video of the car being overturned.
Fans also got rowdy in October 2021, after UK football beat Florida. They set multiple fires that resulted in at least two minor injuries, according to the Lexington Fire Department.
At least one male was arrested for alcohol intoxication in October 2021.
Fans also burned couches in April 2021 after UK Women’s Volleyball won the NCAA national title.
Multiple couches were burned and quickly put out during those celebrations.
NCAA tournaments
Some of the biggest celebrations in the State Street area have occurred during the UK men’s NCAA basketball tournament.
Even losses can bring students to State Street.
After UK lost to Connecticut in the 2014 NCAA championship game, multiple fires were set in the area and more than 20 people were injured. There were reports of bottles flying and fireworks.
Victories over long-time rivals University of Louisville can be particularly fiery.
After UK men’s basketball defeat of UofL in the NCAA conference in March 2014, 25 fires were set, two people were arrested and there was a handful of injuries.
In 2012, in the run up to UK men’s basketball team clinching its eighth national title, the area around State Street was the site of weekly celebrations.
After a win over the UofL in late March 2012, out-of-control fans set 39 fires, mostly to couches and debris, and more than a dozen people were arrested, mostly for arson.
After UK won the NCAA tournament in April 2012, police made more than 50 arrests. There were more than 60 fires set and more than 20 people, including a shooting victim, were taken to the hospital.
It was during that 2012 season that partying after UK games moved to State Street.
Euclid and Woodland
In the 1990s, much of UK post-game celebrations were centered in the Euclid and Woodland avenues.
After UK defeated Syracuse in 1996, thousands of fans spilled into the streets in the Euclid and Woodland area.
Fans flipped over an ABC-36 news van and pelted police cruisers with objects that caused thousands of dollars worth of damage. More than 20 were arrested.
After the Wildcats’ 1998 win over Utah, 100 people sustained mostly minor injuries in celebrations and 10 were arrested.
