Connections

Photos: Kirkwood Avenue Peach Bowl victory celebration

After Indiana University’s 56–22 Peach Bowl win over Oregon, fans spilled onto Kirkwood Avenue near Dunn Street to celebrate, chanting “Hoo! Hoo! Hoosiers!” Fox 59 filmed the scene as police and a transit bus quietly managed traffic and kept the crowd safe.

On Friday night, downtown Bloomington was the scene of great rejoicing, as fanatics reveled in the glory of a victory by the local university’s squad, in a contest of football organized under the banner of the Peach Bowl. In their encounter with the Oregon Ducks, the team fielded by the Bloomington campus of Indiana University administered a decisive drubbing, by the tally of 56 to 22.

After the final reckoning was reported through an assortment of television devices from the athletic venue—which was located in the state of Georgia—Kirkwood Avenue near Dunn Street came alive with celebrants. Patrons who had crowded the city’s drinking venues poured forth upon the bricked sidewalks and onto the asphalt of the street. From curb to curb rang the battle cry—“Hoo! Hoo! Hoo-siers!”—and the sound echoed off the pavement.

A crew from the Fox 59 television station was on duty capturing images of the delirious throng, who were not shy to express affection for their team whenever a camera was pointed in their direction.

Bloomington police officers quietly took up posts in the background to ensure that the peace would be preserved. A Bloomington Transit bus was placed across the street, protecting celebrants from passing vehicles. By this reporter’s count, at least eight officers were on hand to keep order.

When the hour came to restore the regular course of traffic, officers moved calmly through the crowd, advising the revelers to withdraw once more to the sidewalks, which they did without complaint or further incident.

In the photo gallery below, clicking on any image will allow you to arrow or swipe through the entire set in a full-size view.