Saturday, I’ll be rooting for USC. And before you jump to
conclusions, I’m not some disgruntled, jaded sports editor
who is bitter over UCLA’s awful November collapse.
In fact, I’ve never been much of a sports fan at all
““ I’ve never bought a team jersey, a baseball cap or a
pennant. I can hardly tell a kickoff from a safety.
But I am damn excited about Saturday’s USC-UCLA game. For
one thing, this game is a family tradition ““ Trojan family,
that is.
My grandfather worked at USC for 50 years and retired as its
senior vice president of business affairs. My mother and father
both went to USC, and my mother also taught there.
(You might be wondering why I chose to attend UCLA. That’s
a story in and of itself, but let’s just say I felt UCLA
would be a better match for my personality.)
Over the years, I’ve gone to more USC games than most UCLA
fans would care to even think about.
There are a few reasons why I’m particularly excited about
this game. For one thing, games at USC have a very different impact
on that campus compared to games here at UCLA. Before a game, the
entire ‘SC campus comes alive with enthusiasm.
Tents are pitched, fires are started, and people break out the
beer. Tens of thousands of students, parents, alumni and staff
members attend parties and mill about the campus. The revelry goes
way beyond tailgating ““ it could almost be a scene from the
annals of the Trojan War.
Game day here at UCLA is absolutely tranquil in comparison, but
UCLA fans can’t really be blamed for the difference.
The key factor is that the L.A. Coliseum is a block away from
USC, while reaching the Rose Bowl requires a freeway drive. As
packed as the Rose Bowl might be, it’s hard to spark real
Bruin spirit here on campus.
And I’ve often wondered if UCLA fund raising might be more
successful if the Rose Bowl sold beer ““ in 2002, USC ranked
first among all colleges in fund raising, making over $585 million.
UCLA ranked eighth with $282 million.
(Note: If USC fans aren’t already topped off by kickoff,
the Coliseum sells beer.)
While we are on the subject of finishing first, what about that
national title? I must admit, the thought of USC being No. 1 is
pretty cool. Like I said, I’m no sports fan, but I would be
glad to see the title go to a homegrown SoCal team rather than one
of those East Coast powerhouses like Florida or Miami.
The BCS is a total mystery to me, but I hear USC just might make
it to the big game. UCLA, of course, will try hard to upset
‘SC, and although experts tell me Nov. 22 will be a rout, I
think it might be an interesting game.
Both teams are going to be playing their hearts out, and the
extra incentive of ruining USC’s title dreams might just
energize UCLA’s offense.
And before you call me a Benedict Bruin, I want to note my
willingness to root for USC only goes so far. Call me a
fair-weather fan, but I’ve been known to root for UCLA in
this rivalry too.
In fact, I attended the University Elementary School right here
on the UCLA campus for seven years. My mother also got her Ph.D.
from UCLA and taught here for several years.
She and I both struggle with severe cases of splitus
allegianceus.
Luckily for me, football games are about much more than beer,
national titles, fund raising or even winning. They are about
friends, family and spirit. Win or lose, football games bring
people together.
Regardless of the outcome, this is one game I’ll stick
through. Deep down, I like the underdog.
Lazzaro is the Viewpoint editor. E-mail him at
dlazzaro@media.ucla.edu if you want to be his guest at the
game.