In 2018, Penn suspended University operations on Feb. 8 as the city celebrated the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl parade.
Credit: Chase SuttonPenn has suspended normal University operations on Friday, Feb. 14 for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory parade.
In a message to the Penn community on Wednesday afternoon, Provost John Jackson Jr. and Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli announced the cancelation of all classes and University-sponsored events on Friday, citing the large crowds expected to flock to Philadelphia for the parade. Penn follows Drexel University and Temple University in making the call.
The decision mirrors Penn’s 2018 call to suspend University operations for the victory parade celebrating the Eagles’ first Super Bowl win against the New England Patriots.
Jackson and Carnaroli emphasized that the City of Philadelphia is expecting “sizable crowds” to attend Friday’s parade, referencing the approximately 3 million attendees at the 2018 victory parade. To manage the crowds of people traveling to and from the parade, SEPTA and PATCO have also modified their services on Friday.
“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and patients is always our number one goal,” Jackson and Carnaroli wrote.
Employees designated as “essential” — including all University of Pennsylvania Health System physicians and staff — are still required to work on Friday. Fully online academic programs may also follow “different closing decisions,” according to the announcement.
“Should you choose to attend the parade, please keep in mind the changes to public transportation and road closures that will impact access to Center City and West Philadelphia,” Jackson and Carnaroli wrote. “We encourage everyone to stay safe, act responsibly and be respectful of our campus and surrounding community as we all celebrate this great moment together as ambassadors for Penn.”
“Fly, Eagles, Fly,” the message concluded.
In 2018, University operations on Feb. 6, the day of the victory parade, were initially set to proceed as scheduled. Following a student petition that received 4,000 signatures, Penn released a statement indicating a change of plans.
On Sunday, the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, avenging their championship loss in 2023 and giving the franchise its second Super Bowl title. Penn students erupted with Eagles spirit on campus and flooded to Broad Street to celebrate the win.
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