University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Tatiana Wevna J ' j, the u of troy A student smashes a car decorated in Trojan colors. The annual car smash marked the opening of Beat ' $C week. Dennis Garcia A voodoo doll is decorated in the colors of U$C. Voodoo dolls painted with expressive remarks were sold throughout Beat ' $C Week. Passion, pride, and pageantry were evident as Trojans and Bruins engaged in an intense battle of rivalry and antipathy during Beat ' $C week this year. The Trojan bashing week, organized by the Student Alumn i Association, featured a series of events including a car smash, rally, bonfire, and blood drive. U$C, often labeled the ' University of Second Choice, ' or better known as the ' University of Spoiled Children, ' is UCLA ' s most bitter rival. Competition between the two schools has been a long-lasting tradition and has involved theft, vandalism, and mutual distrust. Bruins fired up as the week opened with a U$C car smash held at Bruin Plaza. On Monday of Beat ' $C Week, a sizable crowd of Bruins armed with sledgehammers gathered to vent their aggression as they smashed a car decorated in U$C colors. Although I was taken aback at first by the car smash, I soon joined my fellow Bruins in a united effort to bash ' $C, claimed Peter Samson, a second year art history student. On Tuesday, an estimated 1,000 people packed Wilson Plaza and Janss steps. Hordes of die-hard Bruins cheered as piles of wood exploded into flames. The bonfire and rally featured appearances by the UCLA Spirit Squad, the band, and football players and their coaches. Animosity ignited further as the two schools competed in the annual blood drive held on Wednesday. The drive involved several thousand Bruins attempting to get the red out. Donors received free movie tickets, t-shirts, and snacks. The blood drive provided much needed blood to hospitals across Los Angeles. A Bruin Fair and Bruin Night Out united students in their distaste for the Trojans. Both events held during the week featured food, drinks, games, music, and UCLA spirit. As a first year, I never expected to hate ' $C so much. I love the way the week was run, as we fought not only on the field, but also in community service, explained Billy Ho, a first year civil engineering student. Beat ' $C week culminated in a showdown game against U$C. An estimated 50,000 Bruins and alumni attended the long-awaited game. Spirits soared as charged fans donned blue and gold. After a three-year losing streak, the Bruins longed for the sweet taste of victory, screaming at banshee pitch through it all. by Karishma Chullani Events 25

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. Beat ' $C Week Fierce pride explodes as Beat ' $C week arrives Dennis Garcia Fans watch piles of wood burn in flames at the bonfire. The event featured chants and showcased students ' soaring Bruin pride. Ricky Manning leads Bruins in exuberant chants against U$C. The senior football player competed against the cross-town rivals on Saturday of Beat ' $C week. )

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. U$C vs. UCLA Game ' nother ost Like troops diligently preparing for battle, the UCLA campus energetically built up its school spirit during the yearly Beat ' SC week that led to the much anticipated Big game. The Baiins hungrily sought revenge against the detested Trojans after being defeated the past three years; last year, USC shut UCLA out for the first time since 1947, crushing them 27-0. Just a mere 15 miles apart, the two schools have fostered an intense cross-town rivalry since they were first pitted against each other in 1929- Having fought 71 battles, UCLA stood with 27 wins, 37 losses, and seven ties. Even more passionate than the games, however, were the never-ending pranks traded between the two sides, which have gone to the extent of kidnapping, hijacking, and vandalism. A week before the skirmish, the Bruin bear in Bruin Plaza went into hibernation under a chained, sky blue tarp, while across town, a life-size statue of Tommy Trojan entered a protective case to avoid a bloodbath of their opponents ' school colors. Despite having a 7-3 record, almost identical to the previous season ' s 6-3 performance, the Bruin men were ready to slaughter some Trojans. With three fresh victories under their belts and a one-week hiatus, the Bruins, ranked 24th, marched onto the Rose Bowl battlefield and maliciously eyed the seventh place Trojans. Once the warfare started, there was no looking back, as the army decked out in blue and gold, and under the leadership of new first year quarterbacks Drew Olson and Matt Moore and record-breaking first year running back Tyler Ebell charged against the crimson enemy. However, this new triumvirate was not enough to overcome the Trojans in this year ' s showdown. The fate of the game was already decided against UCLA within the first 16 seconds of the game, when USC scored its first of seven touchdowns. For the remainder of the painful battle, the Bruins could only feebly respond to the Trojans ' strong offense with a series of untimely fumbles and a scoreless 29 minutes and 19 seconds. Ebell, the hero of the season, only rushed for 56 yards in 12 carries. A lack of offense, combined with the flimsy defense, explained the disheartening score of USC, 52, UCLA, 21. Yes, the Bruins managed to secure 14 points in the last 2:42 minutes of battle, but it was too late. After four hours of exhausting combat in front of 90,000 zealous fans, the Trojans raised their swords into the air in triumph to the despair of the blue and gold half of the crowd, or rather, what was left of it. Hopefully, after another year of training, the Bruin army can break the current four-year losing streak. With their energetic freshmen warriors and their undying competitive spirit, the future looks bright for the Bruins. Nguyen Ha, a fourth year Asian American studies student, joked, I think I ' ll stay for a fifth year just so I can finally see our team beat SC...this class is cursed. An enthusiastic Bruin shows spirit by sporting blue and gold. He was just one of thousands of fans who attended the UCLAv. USC game. by Joni Park 26 Events '