A new UCLA 8-Clap Heard Around the World was played at the rally.
An energetic crowd of more than 3,000 UCLA students, alumni and fans roared their support for the Bruins football team in Wilson Plaza at Thursday evening’s annual “Beat ‘SC” rally.
Football coach Jim Mora and the team’s captains each thanked UCLA students and fans for their support this year, and urged them to come out to help the squad beat USC at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
“You set records for student attendance [at the Rose Bowl] this year,” Mora told the crowd to thunderous applause. “And I want to tell you how excited we are to play in front of you tomorrow night.”
Both ninth-ranked UCLA and 19th-ranked USC have a lot riding on tomorrow evening’s game. The winner will claim the #1 spot in the Pac-12 South, with only one game remaining in the season.
In the hours leading up to the rally, students participated in a “Get the Red Out” t-shirt giveaway, exchanging a red item of clothing for a Bruin-blue commemorative bonfire t-shirt. Several student musical and dance groups provided the evening’s entertainment on a large stage set up at the foot of Janss Steps.
Prior to the football team taking the stage, the crowd cheered the 2014 NCAA national champion UCLA women’s tennis team. Performances by UCLA’s spirit squad and marching band added to the night’s revelry.
A small group of students protesting the UC tuition increase occupied the bonfire area before the rally, resulting in cancellation of that portion of the program.
