Strike Out The Band

UCLA's home court advantage on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion was remarkable.

In an arena brimming in blue, with a student section bouncing so hard that the cement seemed to shake, it didn't look like there were more than 100 cardinal shirts in the crowd.

That's because there probably weren't.

The most conspicuous absence (more so than John Wooden) was the Spirit of Troy.

USC and UCLA have a long-standing tradition of welcoming the opposing band and cheerleaders (OK, OK, Song Girls). Though the definition of "welcoming" is subject to debate, at least they got a seat -- until this year.

About two months ago, UCLA notified USC that Pauley would be sold out for the entire basketball season, and the Trojans would only get their league-mandated 100 tickets (24 behind the bench, 76 in the upper deck). Unlike past years, that was it.

Pauley Pavilion holds 12,819 (not to mention all the open space where the bleachers don't come all the way to the ends of court). The Galen Center holds 10,258. Was it really that hard to reserve 25-30 seats for a great tradition?

Rumors are circulating widely on both sides that at least one powerful Bruin didn't like the disruption of the Trojan Marching Band and put their foot down. Though nobody would go on the record with any such specifics, we do know that UCLA also notified USC that the Bruins would not send their band to the Galen Center later in the season.

USC hypothetically could have given some of their 100 tickets to "random" students who happened to be carrying trumpets or pompoms, but that would have created more problems. Players, coaches and staff are allotted seats for friends and family (up to four, in some cases). Let's just say nobody was taking away Mrs. Jefferson's ticket (especially after her premonition about Davon's performance). Once those were distributed, there were only a handful left for VIPs. Who gets dibs -- Mike Garrett or a tuba player?

Closer to tipoff, the Song Girls were also dis-invited (probably a first for most of them). UCLA reportedly had too much going on with its own spirit performances and sponsored promotions to allow USC's squad any time.

Obviously this, and UCLA's refusal to send its band to Galen Center, is a disappointing development in the great rivalry between these two schools. A number of people connected with USC and the Trojan Marching Band have expressed a desire to see the tradition restored quickly -- hopefully next season. Scott Wolf at the Daily News has been blogging a lot about this, and points out a number of other USC-UCLA traditions that have gotten the ax. In order to keep that list from growing, the ball's in UCLA's court.

Comments

[Gerrrg]

And the Bruins still lost.

[pk-in-the-mesa]

Wow it seems that the bruins are the real Roman spectators, well i say thumbs up. Hay next year they can play the game on there iboxes so that way there will not be any SC people there, but ya no they will still lose.

[char]

whatever....yeah, and ucla still sucks

[JohnM]

What would you expect from a STATE school? UCLA means U Can Lose Again......and it goes on. They've got the whole PC thing down though.

[HiThere]

If I was planning and hosting and event, and I was inviting my firends and family and supporters, you would be last group of people I expect or want to see at my event? Hmmm. Let's see.

It's about time someone puts a stop to this nonsense. When I'm at a UCLA game, the last thing I want to hear is the enemy playing their obnoxious songs. And quite frankly, I can't imagine anyone at USC overjoyed with UCLA honkers invading their space.

Good for UCLA for saying enough is enough.

[CAW]

HiThere, you have entirely missed the point. A NCAA game is not a party; it is a competition. If both sides are not represented, where's the fun?

[pk-in-the-mesa]

Hi There

What in heck are you talking about, have you ever competed in college, HS, or any sports at all. Its not a private and friends thing it NCAA comp. oh i get it at this years final four the that is dissisated home team gets all there supporters, friends, family. you know kind of like the situation UCLA had at OREGON and K_Love

[Kirby]

The way I heard it, the UCLA athletics department didn't invite the Spirit of Troy because Ben Howland requested it. I'm pretty sure it was also at Howland's request that as few tickets as possible were given to Trojan fans.

So, if there's anyone to get mad at, it's probably him.

I also heard that the reason the UCLA band didn't go to the Galen center was because the administration was reciprocating for Pauly Pavilion not allowing the SC band to come.