This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Athletic Directors Urge Football Fans to Stay 'Classy' at Battle for L.A.

The UCLA, USC game will be played at the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2010.

The UCLA and USC athletic directors asked their schools' fans Wednesday to exercise discretion and sportsmanship while attending Saturday's football game between the archrivals at the Rose Bowl.

"Anytime we have a home game, it is my expectation that our fans and everyone associated with UCLA will put their best foot forward and create a friendly atmosphere for all visitors at the Rose Bowl, including those form the opposing team," said Dan Guerrero, UCLA's athletic director.

"While the game will no doubt be played with great enthusiasm on both sides, it is important to remember that UCLA and USC are part of the same Los Angeles community and this rivalry should be celebrated with graciousness and class," Guerrero said.

Find out what's happening in Westwood-Century Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Said USC athletic director Pat Haden: "The USC-UCLA cross-town rivalry brings out the best in both teams. Let's make sure it brings out the best in our fans too. If you are wearing cardinal and gold on Saturday, please show respect, sportsmanship and class to the fans and players in the blue and gold. Behaving properly will make this game a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone."

UCLA police officials and officers representing various other public safety departments will be closely monitoring spectators throughout the day at the Rose Bowl and will be enforcing the Southern California Fan Code of Conduct.

Find out what's happening in Westwood-Century Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The code includes asking fans to refrain from using profanity or other offensive language, whether spoken or appearing on apparel; intoxication or excessive alcohol consumption; throwing of items or liquids; and fighting or other threatening behavior.

Failure to comply with the code may subject offenders to ejection or arrest.

The game is being played at the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2010, when two people were stabbed in a fight outside the stadium before the game.

Witnesses said the fight broke out between two groups of tailgaters when a football tossed by a Bruin fan accidentally hit a Mercedes-Benz owned by a Trojan fan. Pasadena police Cmdr. Darryl Qualls said alcohol and the rivalry helped spur the fight.

Security for last year's game, which was played at played at USC's home field, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was increased by more than 25 percent from 2010, Haden and Guerrero said.

Three men were arrested at last year's game, two for suspicion of public drunkenness and fighting and the third for what police described as an argument between a man and his wife, police said.

Seven people were cited for alcohol violations, Los Angeles police Sgt. Al Labrada told City News Service.

Fox will air Saturday's game, which begins at noon.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Westwood-Century City