Undeniably USC’s biggest rivalry game, the football match-up between the Trojans and Bruins brings with it some of USC’s favorite traditions. The Hecuba watch, organized by the Helenes, and the Tommy watch, headed by the Trojan Knights, has seen the two biggest statues on campus wrapped and safeguarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Krisha Suri, a member of the Helenes, shared how she finds value in the experience.
Krisha Suri: Oh my god, I love rivalry week. I absolutely hate UCLA. I dated a guy freshman year from UCLA, so the hatred is like, tenfold because of that. But yeah, I love, the Helenes, all of us, we love the band especially. So, they come out here and they play on Thursday and so, that’s always super fun. And then the game is always so much fun. We love doing all the cheers, we love supporting the team and always love supporting the band.
On the other side of campus, Andrew Ngo, a member of the Trojan Knights, is carrying on with his lifelong fandom of the Trojans by defending the Tommy Trojan statue.
Andrew Ngo: I grew up in a USC household, so it was kind of always, I always knew that this was a big deal of a game. I think in the last 20 years or so, this rivalry has been a lot more competitive than the Notre Dame one, so it’s taken a lot more focus. And I think because of that, it stayed really strong. And you know, I’ve got full confidence in the team going into this weekend and I’m really excited to see the game.
Outside of the Helenes and Trojan Knights, students are buzzing at the arrival of rivalry week. Freshman Jackalyn Karamanougian has been enjoying her first experience of the game’s buildup.
Jackalyn Karamanougian: Well, I’m a freshman, so it’s my first rivalry week. I’d say it’s pretty tense, like seeing the Hecuba watch and Tommy watch. But I’m just going, like, for a good time. I hope we win. It hasn’t been the best season, so I’m just going for the good vibes and hopefully we come out on top.
Other USC students are excited to return to the excitement that they witnessed the previous school year, such as Bryan Tevie.
Bryan Tevie: I’m a sophomore here, so I was around for last year’s game, and I saw how much everyone got into it, and the school spirit, how high it went up. And I’m looking forward to the game. I’ll be there at the coliseum to witness it, and hopefully it’s a great game.
School spirit remains high this week as students are getting ready for Saturday. Luckily for them, they have the upcoming Thanksgiving break to look forward to whether we win or lose, but most likely win.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Sam Cohen.