"I'd be safe and warm, if I was in L.A… California dreamin…"
The Road Warriors guide rolls on with a trip to Southern California to take on the mighty Trojans of USC, arguably the most glamorous program in all of college football. Historically the Coliseum has been a house of horrors for Cougar football teams. In fact our win percentage against the Trojans has never risen above our blood alcohol level. If that trend is going to be interrupted this year then the Cougar fans who make this trip will be eyewitnesses to one of the rarest events in all of sports. The Cougs have only won two games in the Coliseum… ever. Since we’ve been playing there nearly every other year for a very long time, that is an astounding record of futility. I’m not going to predict that this year will be one of those Haley’s Comet type once in a lifetime events, but regardless of the outcome, this is a road trip that should be worthwhile to anyone that considers themselves a serious college football fan. Why do I believe that? Read on to find out…
Los Angeles is obviously one of the world’s great destination cities, so regardless if the game is a total bust, you should have no trouble finding something else to do on your trip that makes it more than worthwhile. However, I would argue that just seeing a USC football game at the Coliseum is one of those things that would make a trip to LA worthwhile. Sure, we are all sick of the USC band pummeling our eardrums with constant refrains of “Conquest”, but we are also all in love with the Song Girls. Right?
Fight on, indeed.
And who doesn’t love celebrity sightings? This is LA, after all, and not to be outdone by the Lakers, the Trojans keep their sidelines stocked with celebrity jock sniffers like Snoop Dog (Lion?) and Will Ferrel. Of course with the recent downturn of their fortunes on the field, you may be more likely to see some token D-listers lurking amongst the water coolers. Perhaps a John Gosselin sighting?
Winner.
I have never been to a game at the Coliseum myself, but I did visit the USC campus on a work trip this Spring. There seems to be some interesting stuff to see in the vicinity of the stadium, namely the Natural History museum and Museum of Science. You can’t help but notice that an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane is parked just to the north east of the stadium as part of the Museum of Science’s aviation displays. The stadium itself is a historic landmark, having hosted multiple Olympics, Super Bowls and even a World Series. It definitely has that “hallowed ground” air about it, with the imposing architecture and the towering bronze olympians that greet you at the East gates with their conspicuously “correct” anatomy.
As far as “what to do” and “where to stay”, etc., Im not really sure where to begin. There are not a lot of comfy lodging options in proximity to the stadium, so I would recommend looking west to Santa Monica and Marina Del Ray where you can really soak in the best beach/sand/sun that LA has to offer. From your beach side hotel you simply take the 10 East to the 101 South and in 20-30 minutes you are at the Coliseum, which in LA terms, is basically a milk run.
You're not going to find this near the stadium, so don't stay near the stadium.
My only “to do” suggestion would be to catch a Dodger game at Chavez Ravine, though they won’t be back in town until the Monday following the game. I predict by that time they will be well on their way to winning the NL West and Puig mania will be on full display. It should be worth the extra day layover.
To those making the trip, have fun, be safe and Go Cougs!
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