[Football Preview 2004] Coach to bring back team's pregrame ritual

Hot dogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob are just a few
delectable munchies football fans gorge on at tailgate parties.

But for UCLA fans, there is one treat that has been missing in
their traditional preparty extravaganza in the past year ““
the rushing of the Bruin football players through Lot H, tailgate
central.

First started by former Bruin coach Bob Toledo at the beginning
of his tenure, the tradition of having players enter the Rose Bowl
through the tailgate area had been a fan favorite for years. But
when Karl Dorrell took over the program just one year ago, the
custom was put on the shelf and more or less forgotten.

But after gauging the reaction to the abandonment of the parking
lot routine, Dorrell decided to reinstate the tradition this year
for one main reason ““ the fans.

“I want (families and the families of our players) to stay
involved in this program, through thick and thin,” Dorrell
said. “That’s what this is all about. If I error in
judgment I’m going to error on the side of taking care of our
families.”

Even though the time between when the players are dropped off
the bus until they enter the stadium is rather short, fans, family
members and tailgaters will get their chance to 8-clap their team
to victory.

“It was something that got them excited about the
preparation for the game,” Dorrell said. “I
hadn’t had experience with that. When I was a player here,
there was no walk. I want to do what’s best for our players
and program, and if that’s something that’s important
to them, and gets them ready to play, then I’m all for
it.”

The first chance to experience the rumble of the Bruins through
Pasadena will be the season opener against Oklahoma State on Sept.
4.

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