List of Violent Spectator Incidents in Sports - 1979

1979

• July 12 – Disco Demolition Night – In a promotion conceived by Chicago DJ Steve Dahl, fans got admission to a Comiskey Park doubleheader for 98¢ between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers in exchange for bringing in a disco record to be blown up between games. In the first game, fans threw their records, as well as fireworks and beer, onto the field. The between-games explosion tore a large hole into the field and was followed by thousands of fans pouring in from the stands onto the field. Thirty-seven fans were arrested, and the second game of the doubleheader was forfeited to the Tigers.

• December 23 – At the end of a game between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden, Bruins players climbed into the stands to fight with Rangers fans after Stan Jonathan was hit across the face with a rolled up program and Terry O'Reilly's stick was stolen. This incident was made infamous by Mike Milbury removing a fan's shoe and beating him with it. Four Rangers fans were arrested, with O'Reilly suspended for eight games and Milbury and Peter McNab for six games by NHL president John Ziegler; all three players were also fined $500. This incident resulted in the installation of higher glass panels enclosing rinks in hockey arenas.