Lincoln Riley Era Bringing the Heat: Game Day Safety Tips

By: Kristen Adams ‘25

With our new head coach, Lincoln Riley, leading our Trojans football team to more wins this season (a major change from last season’s track record), game days are going to be a big deal this fall. With this being my second game day season at USC, I have compiled a list of must-dos, must-don’ts, and tips to have a fun and safe time inside the Coliseum while rooting for our favorite football team.

Water bottles

If a game is scheduled in the morning or the afternoon, chances are it’s going to be very hot inside the Coliseum. In fact, it reached over 100 degrees during our first game this season against Rice – in other words, it was blazing hot that day. With countless tailgates happening before the game, it is important to stay hydrated throughout the day to avoid dehydration, heat stroke, or sun poisoning.

The Coliseum allows you to bring an unopened water bottle inside. On the insanely hot day that we played Rice, I bought a water bottle from Trader Joe’s that was only 50 cents. Not only was I able to stay hydrated while standing at the game, I also saved money and time by not having to wait in long lines inside the stadium to buy water. 

Hats and Sunglasses

For some Trojans, game days are not only about football; they’re also about cute outfits! On game days, the entire campus is covered in cardinal and gold, from tailgating tents to USC polos to game day skirts. Everyone is decked out in their USC merch to show off our Trojan pride and take cute pictures to post on Instagram later. 

A supplement that you can add to your cute game day outfit is a pair of sunglasses or a hat. Not only does it add an accessory to your outfit, but it can also prevent you from overheating in the sun. During my freshman year, I actually burned the top of my head during our first game day because I didn’t bring a hat, and we stayed the entire game in the front row of the students’ section, right under the blazing sun. Remember to stay stylish and safe!

Apply Sunscreen

The sun in Los Angeles is no joke. Remember to apply sunscreen before heading out to a tailgate or the game. 

Also, remember that you can still get tan after you apply your sunscreen. It would be embarrassing to forget your sunscreen, then realize you’ve burnt your entire face, shoulders, and chest area and now have to show up to your accounting class on Monday as red as a lobster. While the process of applying sunscreen can be tedious, it is worth it in the short-term and in the long-term.

Clear Bags

The Coliseum has restrictions on the size of bags that are allowed inside. To avoid any issues with entering, consider getting a see-through bag or fanny pack. You can store your water bottle (unopened!), sunscreen, wallet, towels, accessories, chapstick, and anything else you may need during the game inside your see-through bag.

With our game day season underway and lots more victories to come (thanks to Lincoln Riley), remember these tips before going out to tailgates and football games to stay safe and have the best time out with your friends! Hope to see you all at the next football game; and fight on!

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