Rivalry week has officially begun. With UCLA and USC football playing each other on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., both schools are gearing up for the most anticipated game of the season on Saturday.
To prepare, Trojans are starting rivalry week traditions. One long-time tradition, which was created because of the Victory Bell, is the taping of the Hecuba and Tommy Trojan statues.
USC currently holds the touted Victory Bell. Originally from a Southern Pacific train, the bell was gifted to UCLA from the UCLA Alumni Association in 1939. Two years later, USC students stole the Victory Bell during the first game of UCLA’s season. UCLA students retaliated by painting the Tommy Trojan statue blue. Shortly after, a tradition was born.
The significance of the bell stems back to 1942. The student body presidents from both schools signed an agreement saying that the bell would go to whichever school wins the annual football game between UCLA and USC. The Trojans lead the all-time series 50-33 against the Bruins.
During the week leading up to the UCLA game, the Trojan Knights, a campus organization that maintains Trojan traditions, keep a 24/7 watch of Tommy Trojan.
“It’s my favorite Knights event of all time. I love just having a spot on campus where everyone can meet up,” Ivan Paredes, a Trojan Knight and senior studying health and human sciences, said about the tradition of guarding the statue. The excitement and the camaraderie and the happiness really gives you a boost throughout the week.”
Similarly, the USC Helenes, a campus organization that strives to make positive changes in the community, guards the statue of Hecuba, Queen of Troy, 24/7 during the week leading up to the anticipated USC-UCLA game.
“I think it’s cool just being a part of a [USC tradition],” said Ella Fukushima, a USC Helene and junior studying business administration. “I think that’s one of the biggest reasons I joined this [organization]. My first time was last year, so it’s cool doing it again.”
Lulu Soranson Way, a sophomore studying psychology and cognitive science, has friends who are part of both organizations.
“I like how they protect the statues and get everyone pumped up at games. I think it’s really cool and it showcases our school spirit,” she said.
A victory for either school on Saturday would mean 10 points in the Crosstown Cup race, which has been around since 2001, according to USC Athletics’ website. The trophy is awarded to whichever school wins the most games in head-to-head matchups across all sports. USC has won the Crosstown Cup 13 times, while UCLA has won eight times.
Currently, UCLA’s football team is 6-4, while USC is 7-4, according to their respective websites. USC has lost most of the games during the latter half of the season. Moreover, both teams have been eliminated from the possibility of playing in the Pac-12 Championship. Although this game will not contribute to the Pac-12 championship, the winners can look forward to bragging rights.
“I’m definitely looking forward to gameday outfits, cheering whenever we score, and definitely just the walk to the Coliseum,” said India Yeoh, a sophomore studying the music industry. “It’s always filled with a lot of anticipation.”