Rivalry Week 2021
By: Kelsey Cheng ‘25
It’s the gameday of the year––the USC vs UCLA football game. After a year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, Trojans are welcoming back decades-long traditions during Rivalry Week. The days leading up to the big game against our crosstown rival are filled with history and spirit. If you didn’t get a chance to see it for yourself, learn more here about how Trojans prepared to face the other LA school last Saturday!
Knights on Tommy Watch
Tommy and Hecuba Watch!
At USC, we protect our statues at all costs. Tommy Trojan and Traveler are wrapped in duct tape––safe from UCLA pranksters. Ever since the 1940s, Bruins have sneaked over from Westwood with the mission to vandalize our monuments (though I’ll admit, Trojans have a similar history of pranking). The Trojan Knights, an all-male service and spirit organization, have kept 24/7 watch over Tommy Trojan. Knights camp out right in front of the statue in 2-hour shifts, prepared with tents, cots, and coffee. According to President Jack Stolrow, Tommy Watch brings the whole university together.
“In a time where you’re coming out of COVID, you don’t have a lot of people really feeling the spirit of Troy, it’s good to have us out here symbolizing that as much as possible,” he said.
Surrounding businesses donate food for the Knights on duty, and even President Carol Folt gives them a visit. Across campus, a similar 24-hour watch emerges. As the official hostesses of our university, The USC Helenes spearhead a new tradition: Hecuba Watch. You can see members camped out in the Village to protect the duct taped queen of Troy.
We are all thankful for our Knights and Helenes. Without them, our collegiate symbols run the risk of being bruined.
George Tirebiter, USC’s unofficial canine mascot, has been put in his doghouse to protect against vandalism.
Conquest!
The USC Concert Committee hosted “Conquest!” on Thursday night, an annual concert and rally to pump students up for the game. McCarthy Quad was transformed overnight, set up with a Ferris wheel and booths. Trojans enjoyed performances from the Spirit of Troy, USC Song Girls, Troy Tones, Asli Baat, and more student groups. Later in the night, Young Franco opened and Kenny Beats performed for a raging crowd.
And of course, the game!
I woke up to the sounds of trumpets and drums, thanks to our Trojan Marching Band. At 9 AM, the campus was already bustling with tailgates and merchandise booths. Trojans, Bruins, and alumni alike were barbequing and having fun on the grass. At 1 PM, it was game time. Trojans showed up to the Coliseum filled with school spirit. Unfortunately, we lost 62-33 (our first loss to the Bruins since 2018), meaning that the Victory Bell will be given to UCLA this year.
Even though I’m not the biggest sports fan, it was amazing to see students decked out in cardinal and gold. Especially after a year online, observing historical and new traditions made me proud to be a Trojan, win or lose.
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