St. Thomas Public Safety dealt with 11 intoxicated people in a record-setting crowd of 10,800 fans during Saturday’s Tommie-Johnnie football game, according to Mike Barrett, Public Safety associate director.

Barrett said security ran smoothly and the number of students who needed care was not significantly different than the last time St. Thomas hosted the rivalry game.

Barrett said of the 11 intoxicated fans Public Safety handled, seven were brought to the on-campus care room and four were dealt with on the field. The care room sent two of its inhabitants with medics to the hospital, while four were sent off campus with sober caregivers and one was arrested. Of the four fans handled on the field, three were unconscious and brought to the hospital, and one was cited for minor consumption.

The student who was arrested was taken to the care room and later asked to go to the bathroom. He then fled, was chased by officers and eventually ran into a pole. Officers cited the student for fleeing from police and underage consumption.

“We adjusted a few things, added more cattle gates … and that helped. We still had some issues, but given the fact that we had this many fans and such a gorgeous day for football, we’re very happy,” Barrett said.

Freshman Emma Kowalkowski said St. Thomas’ student section was packed.

“Every two minutes, you fall forward, but it’s totally worth it,” Kowalkowski said. “I don’t even care because it’s so fun.”

Twenty four St. Thomas Public Safety officers, five St. John’s Life Safety officers and nine St. Paul police officers manned the crowd. The St. Paul Police Department also had two mounted patrol, four officers in squad cars and one sergeant on hand.

Junior Jessica Anderson said the crowd did get physical during the game.

“The crowd is wild. I got punched in the face a couple times and got a few elbows,” Anderson said. “It was a mosh pit, I’ll tell you that. Lots of pushing and shoving, but it was fun.”

Prior to the game, Barrett said there was one house party that got out of hand. Nine cops showed up to help control an estimated 300 people at the house. Officers asked the party-goers to leave and continue on to the game.

Five party buses from St. John’s made the trip to St. Paul, compared to the 32 St. Thomas buses taken to Collegeville last year, according to Barrett. Barrett said the Minnesota Department of Transportation was present to inspect the party buses.

Around 700 cars filled the Anderson Parking Ramp and the surrounding neighborhood streets were full, but Barrett said many chose to take taxis to the game and seemed to be making good decisions.

Freshman Patrick Kegley ranked the game as “borderline Super Bowl” and said his favorite part was the crowd’s chants.

“It kind of reminds me of high school; but it’s college so it’s 10 times better,” Kegley said.

Junior Maddy Swenson agreed that school spirit was at an all-time high.

“The best part of Tommie-Johnnie is seeing the spirit from the crowd,” Swenson said. “Everyone’s so amped up and showing their pride for our school.”

Baihly Warfield can be reached at warf3860@stthomas.edu.