In Reply to: Disparaging Words from Chesney? He Noticed the RoseBowl Crowd posted by MANTIS9 on October 26, 2026 at 17:21:18
Sitting by the band is fun. They do all kinds of side jokes and they put the energy in their music. They need to be teaching all this to their fellow student body.
But I’ve noticed the kids around are not even paying attention to the game. I get up to cheer on 3rd down and they all stare at me like I’m some kind of retro kook. I’m just trying to show them what they are supposed to know how to do.
They are generations away from me. Most of them don’t know the rules of the game. Most came for the booze and talking with their friends. They don’t know a RB from a DB. They don’t have rivals. In their world everyone wins right! And gets a trophy.
Most students get free tickets to the game. But they didn’t even want to go. Even knowing that their football team is undefeated! And it was home coming!
I think we have lost it. All this NIL money is coming from us old timers who remember what sports is. What UCLA was. We love the game. We love the tradition. We love the rivalry. But that is all over once we pass on. Our kids don’t get it. They are too busy for sports and they have a new way of looking at life and college.
I’m sorry Chez. There are some hurdles ahead. This is not the SEC. Football has been dead here for 30 years. It will take a few years of success and student training to turn it around.
GoBruins! Lead On! They will learn if you lead!