One could argue crowd surfing anywhere while drunk is problematic—especially at a high school homecoming game.
Then there's the fact crowd surfing by itself is a pretty questionable pursuit.
In today's very much pandemic plagued society, is crowd surfing even sanitary? Is it an appropriate act to do amongst children when someone can get hurt?
Just some of so many questions Baldwinsville Central School District Superintendent Jason Thomson cannot answer.
The upstate New York superintendent crowd surfed at a homecoming football game this past Friday as you can see here:
Unfortunately he rode a wave that drifted him right into a DWI.
According to Syracuse.com, around 8pm that night Thomson was pulled over by police for failing to signal before turning and for driving without a license plate.
Thomson's little surf didn't just go away like a ripple in a pond, it made viral splashes raking in over 131,000 views on TikTok as of Monday morning. Could you imagine how many views the superintendent could have gotten if he actually tried?
One TikTok user identified as the real Maiah's mom (@therealmaiahsmom) posted a video of the crowd surfing from another angle with a parent's perspective in text over the video.
You can see their TikTok here:
The videos on TikTok have since been shared and even made into duets.
The stunt was met with differing reactions from excitement to embarrassment.
In the comments, reactions were also mixed.
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Police said the superintendent—who was appointed by the school board in August 2021—was given a field sobriety test.
Thomson had a blood alcohol content of 0.15% which is nearly twice the legal limit. Several students told staff they believed Thomson was drunk after they saw him crowd surfing in the bleachers, also reporting the scent of alcohol.
The 48-year-old was arrested and charged that night for driving while intoxicated. He is scheduled to appear in village court on October 26.
On Friday, the Baldwinsville school board President Jennifer Patruno wrote in a statement on Facebook:
“We appreciate the prompt response by school staff in responding to this matter. Since this is personnel matter the district is unable to comment further."
“Please be assured the district takes this matter seriously and will take appropriate action if warranted."
The district reported the board called for a special meeting Monday regarding “a matter made confidential by attorney-client privilege.” Thomson was placed on paid leave.
During the crowd surf students could be seen cheering on Thomson as he soared over their accommodating hands. School district records show Thomson's salary for 2022-2023 is $203,056.
Hey, I might crowd surf too if I was bringing that much home in a year.
Skip the alcohol and DWI though.
@thekalenallen/Threads
U.S. Mint
