8 CONQUEST! Facts All Trojans Must Know
By Donald Annarella ‘17, Trojan Knight
CONQUEST! is a celebration of all things USC as we come together as a Trojan Family the week before we take on our archrivals across town. Whether you’re brand new to the rivalry, or you can recite our overall record against the Bruins from memory, here are 8 things you NEED to know before CONQUEST!
1. Origins
Our rivalry with UCLA dates all the way back to 1929 when we pummeled the Bruins 76-0, the biggest point differential of the rivalry. Since then we have played 85 games, with a record of 47*-31-7 (two games vacated due to NCAA sanction).
2. CONQUEST! Bonfire
Started in 2003, CONQUEST! is meant to encapsulate everything we love about being Trojans and not Bruins. Featuring fireworks, a burning bruin effigy, and a concert, CONQUEST! rallies the student body every year to come together one more time before we battle it out on the football field to see who runs L.A.
3. Painting the Bruin
Arguably the pinnacle of the epic prank wars has been direct attacks on the opposing campus’ landmarks. Since 1984, that landmark has been the Bruin Bear at the heart of UCLA’s campus. The Bruin is now in a box for its protection which was spurred on by the notorious 2009 painting of the Bruin.
4. Fake Daily Bruins
In 1958, a few enterprising Trojans conducted one of the more elaborate pranks in rivalry history, when they successfully replaced all the Daily Bruins on UCLA’s campus with a fake edition. Famously, the fake Daily Bruin quoted UCLA football coach William Barnes as saying “I can’t see any hope for our team.”
5. Cardinal Fountains
In 2010, one of the more infamous pranks of recent memory occurred when the Inverted Fountain, Macgowan Fountain, and the Sculpture Fountain at UCLA were all dyed cardinal. The culprits were never caught.
6. Perfect Day
A “Perfect Day,” as coined by USC Radio Announcer Pete Arbogast, occurs when both UCLA and Notre Dame lose, coupled with a Trojan victory. This chain of events has occurred 41 times, with 3 coming this season!
7. Tommy Watch
As you might have noticed when walking through campus this week, Tommy Trojan and other campus landmarks are taped up and under guard. Since 1941, when we stole the Victory Bell, the Trojan Knights have been responsible for safeguarding our landmarks from Bruin vandalism. We keep a 24/7 vigil for the whole week, and are always happy to talk USC and football with anyone! Come by!
8. The Victory Bell
Finally, the Victory Bell is our rivalry trophy passed between the winners of the big game. Originally a gift to UCLA in 1939, it was appropriated by six Trojan Knights who disguised themselves as UCLA students and drove the Bell and its truck away from the Coliseum in 1941. The following year, the prank war became so intense that President Rufus von KleinSmid threatened to cancel the game. An agreement was struck between the two schools, with it being decided that the winner would be the keeper of the Victory Bell for the following season.
If you’re interested in Trojan history or being a guardian of these and other traditions, consider joining the Trojan Knights by visiting trojanknights.org!
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