As my mind naively wanders off, I see myself climbing onto a
goal post that’s ready to collapse as thousands of fans storm
onto the Rose Bowl field. Back in Westwood, hoards of students take
over the streets while cops stand idly by congratulating them.
It’s a dream I’ve replayed thousands of times in my
head, and the only thing needed to make it a reality is a win over
USC in this weekend’s football game.
It would be the biggest event to unite this campus since the
men’s basketball team won a national championship almost 10
years ago, and students should celebrate such a feat
accordingly.
“If UCLA wins, we need to riot,” fourth-year student
Luv Singh said. “Everyone should feel free to do what they
feel like in expressing the moment.”
If Justin Medlock kicks a game-winning field goal, students
should be there to jump in on the dogpile.
If the players dump a cooler of Gatorade onto Karl Dorrell,
students should be able to tell whether it is lemon-lime or
fruit-punch flavored.
A Bruin win could potentially wreak havoc on the landscape of
college football and the morale of USC’s campus. It
couldn’t hurt for some of that havoc to carry over onto
Landfair or Strathmore as well.
With midterms over and finals still a week away, Westwood should
seize the opportunity to party as hearty as possible. And if
UCLA’s football team obliges with a victory, my only hope is
that UCPD will do its part by offering some tolerance.
Police in Westwood haven’t had to deal with a riot-like
situation since the 1995 basketball championship. On that occasion,
a local radio station van was tipped over and the LAPD called for
reinforcements .
The magnitude of a Bruin win on Saturday wouldn’t be quite
as large, but the appetite for celebration would be just as
great.
As the single biggest upset of the year, tradition would dictate
that UCLA fans rush the field and tear down the goal post. Yet
because it would also crush the Trojans’ chances for a
national title and end their five-game win streak in the rivalry
series, a UCLA victory would warrant some additional celebration
spilling back onto campus.
Sergeant Philip Baguiao, who has been with UCPD for 23 years,
said the police department hasn’t taken any special
precautions for Saturday because it hasn’t received any
information indicating anything might happen.
Which makes sense if their source of information is the point
spread for the game. But if the three-touchdown underdog Bruins
manage to pull off the upset, I have a hunch UCPD will start
receiving information faster than “˜SC fans demanding refunds
for their Orange Bowl tickets.
Since UCPD requires advance notification of major parties,
it’d be nice for every address in Westwood to call in and
inform them of the party they hope to throw this weekend. Baguiao
said that police have had to close off streets in the past to keep
situations under control, and I can’t imagine a better idea
for Saturday.
If Gayley or Glenrock are blocked off to street traffic, it
would create the safest environment possible. Noise shouldn’t
be an issue because students will already have lost their voices
cheering at the game.
Police should feel free to intrude if property is being
destructed or if fights start breaking out, but a donated couch lit
on fire should hardly qualify. Particularly since it will be
USC’s hopes for a national championship going up in
smoke.
E-mail Finley at afinley@media.ucla.edu if your glass is
half-full right now. He’ll drink the other half with you
Saturday night.