While Karl Dorrell has been working on finding a starter for Saturday, students eager to make the journey to the other side of town have been scrambling to swipe up any unwanted tickets from people unable to attend or out to make some extra money.
With only one day before the biggest game of the year, many students are still figuring out if they will have the chance to watch the UCLA football team defend the Victory Bell at the Coliseum or have to stay put in Westwood.
Ever since 1,727 tickets were distributed by the Central Ticket Office via a random lottery system a few weeks ago, there has been a great deal of buying and selling across campus. Those next on the lottery list have been offered the remaining amount of unclaimed vouchers, but there was not any increase in ticket availability for students beyond the original allotment.
Students desperate to find a seller reached deep into their wallets to get coveted tickets. This is especially true for seniors, with this being their last chance to watch the rivalry game as students.
“I was willing to pay almost anything,” fourth-year history student Greg Diaz said. “This is my last ‘SC game. I had no idea where I’d be sitting or with whom. I just wanted a ticket.”
Diaz paid $75 after responding to an ad on Facebook. Ads on Facebook, eBay and other similar Web sites started to surface, and some posts have surpassed $100 ““ a far cry from the $35 face value. With the high demand, students are forced to pay more than they would have.
Others were lucky in the lottery and received tickets but are not able to go. There are many students who won tickets but their friends did not get, or were worried about getting, a group of seats next to each other.
“The whole ticket system has been very frustrating,” fourth-year geography student Laurel Reimer said. “I was very excited to be chosen but had to sell my voucher since only one other friend received one.
“My friends and I wanted to go out with a bang, but it’s more important for us to see the game together in our apartment than have just a couple of us go.”
Besides getting the tickets, another dilemma for students is how to journey across town. With this being technically an away game, fan travel is going to be unusual considering the proximity.
The CTO is selling bus passes for the rooter buses that depart from campus, but the more adventurous prefer to make the drive and tailgate in the midst of a sea of crimson and gold in the parking lots outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“I’d rather drive since nothing is more annoying than getting off the bus and listening to obnoxious USC fans shout at us,” third-year history student Tyler Glaze said.
With the Coliseum located in South Central Los Angeles, the atmosphere will be different from what Bruin fans are used to in Pasadena.
“The asphalt and chain link fence isn’t exactly ideal. It won’t have the same feeling as hanging out on the golf course at the Rose Bowl, but we’ll make it work,” Glaze said.
Despite the low number of tickets available to students and the Den’s frustrating lottery system, it seems that those Bruin students who most desperately wanted tickets were able to find them.
“The people who really wanted to go have the chance now,” said Brian Gay, Den treasurer.
“Despite the small number of people going, it’s nice to know that there still will be tremendous energy coming from our student section.”