Definitely one of the most memorable stretches in non-game-related BG history, even though we lost every year. '96 with the Tree getting ripped apart, the '97 field rushing and tearing down the goalpost, '98 with the P5 and also some good post-game projectile throwing, and '99 with the riot police and paddy wagons. From what I remember, very little happened in 2000/2001 because there was such a heavy police crackdown (cameras, etc.), and then 2002 we starting winning again, and it hasn't reached the same level of intensity since.
The 1997 Big Game aftermath remembered
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Last: 13 yr ago by Boot
I hate the f&*king band and a**hole tree.
You are correct. I was at that Big Game with a buddy. After the loss I still recall this small Indian Stanford student on the field running in front of the Cal section and flipping us off with both middle fingers. My buddy who I went with and I still talk about that every now and then. Some Stanford football players also BA'd the Cal crowd too agitating the Cal section. The section was still pretty calm after the loss but it was mainly the actions of all the Stanford students coming over to the Cal Section and gloating that caused the retaliation.
The Cal students did rock the fence back and forth then started jumping over and you could see this huge sea of red on the field move away and back to the other side and a sea of blue and gold take the field. It looked like oil and water not mixing. The Cal students tore down the goal post and carried one side up into the stands. If I recall correctly they threw it over the top of the stadium. I read another poster say they didn't but that is how my buddy and I remember it. The goal post was definitely torn down and one side was carried up into the Cal section of the stadium. We did not go on to the field, we just stayed in the stands. This was a pretty crazy situation.
Those games were the best!
I also remember the students bringing in frozen oranges and this massive sling shot tube to the U$C game. One student would hold each side of the sling shot and be braced by other students and another put the orange in the center and hold it and he was pulled back by others in the stands. The orange would launch from the student section across the stadium field and land into the U$C section on the corner turn West side. I couldn't believe how far they traveled but that is why they had like 6 people manning this massive sling shot...the tension on that sling shot tube was insane.
those activities made going to a game fun...now it is much more sterile...
At my first Big Game these frat guys behind us had these drinks and opened them up and just dumped them over some Stanford alumni walking down the steps holding food. The Stanford alumni just stood their in shock. I knew this rivalry was a lot more wild than i imagined...
:axe :newnana:
The Cal students did rock the fence back and forth then started jumping over and you could see this huge sea of red on the field move away and back to the other side and a sea of blue and gold take the field. It looked like oil and water not mixing. The Cal students tore down the goal post and carried one side up into the stands. If I recall correctly they threw it over the top of the stadium. I read another poster say they didn't but that is how my buddy and I remember it. The goal post was definitely torn down and one side was carried up into the Cal section of the stadium. We did not go on to the field, we just stayed in the stands. This was a pretty crazy situation.
Those games were the best!
I also remember the students bringing in frozen oranges and this massive sling shot tube to the U$C game. One student would hold each side of the sling shot and be braced by other students and another put the orange in the center and hold it and he was pulled back by others in the stands. The orange would launch from the student section across the stadium field and land into the U$C section on the corner turn West side. I couldn't believe how far they traveled but that is why they had like 6 people manning this massive sling shot...the tension on that sling shot tube was insane.
those activities made going to a game fun...now it is much more sterile...
At my first Big Game these frat guys behind us had these drinks and opened them up and just dumped them over some Stanford alumni walking down the steps holding food. The Stanford alumni just stood their in shock. I knew this rivalry was a lot more wild than i imagined...
:axe :newnana:
- Putting up that insulting cyclone fence and then allowing their "fans" to get right in front of the Cal Band and our student section was ridiculous. I have a great memory of what happened after the fence went down.
- The year that they brought that extra tall "No Nukes" version of the Tree to the CMS fifty yard line was equally sickening. Seeing it "chopped down" and parts of the costume flying into the air still puts a smile on my face.
-At the 100th Anniversary of the Big Game everyone was given these nice seat cushions. I don't imagine too many Cal fans have this commemorative item since so many were thrown back onto the field after the game.
:gobears:
BEAT STANFURD!
- The year that they brought that extra tall "No Nukes" version of the Tree to the CMS fifty yard line was equally sickening. Seeing it "chopped down" and parts of the costume flying into the air still puts a smile on my face.
-At the 100th Anniversary of the Big Game everyone was given these nice seat cushions. I don't imagine too many Cal fans have this commemorative item since so many were thrown back onto the field after the game.
:gobears:
BEAT STANFURD!
PRD74;841978636 said:
-At the 100th Anniversary of the Big Game everyone was given these nice seat cushions. I don't imagine too many Cal fans have this commemorative item since so many were thrown back onto the field after the game.
:gobears:
BEAT STANFURD!
.. they've got, um, errr, aaah, HAD a nifty hang down in front game notes zippable pocket dontcha know.
Presently available "used" on ebay for the bargain price of $65:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-2-FOOTBALL-CAL-STANFORD-100th-GAME-CISCO-SYS-SEAT-CUSHION-BERKELEY-1997-/160653212728?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2567ad7c38
I was there during 96-99 and remember the following:
96 - the furd's mascot was shredded to pieces by the Cal fans that stormed the field. I "might" have walked away with a piece for myself. But the scene got dangerous on the field, with more and more students rushing in. Before getting trampled, I managed to get out.
97- everything said is true. Stanford fans throwing oranges into the Cal student section. Us rocking the fence down. I also remember them waving a "Kiss my axe" sign at us. I never saw the goal post section being thrown over the end of the stadium, but that was definitely the widespread story. I also "might" have walked away with the end zone pylon and the goal line marker.
97 or 99 (cant remember)
- during the game, a Cal student jumped over the fence and ran towards the Stanfurd tree. The cops tackled the student before he got to the tree. He was handcuffed and drug off the field to a loud cheer from our student section.
- during the game, there was a penalty on Stanfurd. When the stadium announcement for the penalty was made, it came across as "Penalty on Stanford...because Stanford sucks". I did a double take, not believing what I just heard. Others around me heard the same, so I wasnt crazy. The story around campus was that some Cal students hacked into the PA system and briefly took over control of the announcement. Maybe others here can verify this.
In summary, they werent the best of years for football wins (although watching Deltha was awesome), but they sure were memorable games.
96 - the furd's mascot was shredded to pieces by the Cal fans that stormed the field. I "might" have walked away with a piece for myself. But the scene got dangerous on the field, with more and more students rushing in. Before getting trampled, I managed to get out.
97- everything said is true. Stanford fans throwing oranges into the Cal student section. Us rocking the fence down. I also remember them waving a "Kiss my axe" sign at us. I never saw the goal post section being thrown over the end of the stadium, but that was definitely the widespread story. I also "might" have walked away with the end zone pylon and the goal line marker.
97 or 99 (cant remember)
- during the game, a Cal student jumped over the fence and ran towards the Stanfurd tree. The cops tackled the student before he got to the tree. He was handcuffed and drug off the field to a loud cheer from our student section.
- during the game, there was a penalty on Stanfurd. When the stadium announcement for the penalty was made, it came across as "Penalty on Stanford...because Stanford sucks". I did a double take, not believing what I just heard. Others around me heard the same, so I wasnt crazy. The story around campus was that some Cal students hacked into the PA system and briefly took over control of the announcement. Maybe others here can verify this.
In summary, they werent the best of years for football wins (although watching Deltha was awesome), but they sure were memorable games.
I thought it was during a timeout and the Cal prankster said "Personal Foul, Stanford, excessive arrogance." The guy really did patch into the PA system and had been planning for weeks.
rush the field;841978678 said:
97 or 99 (cant remember) - during the game, a Cal student jumped over the fence and ran towards the Stanfurd tree. The cops tackled the student before he got to the tree. He was handcuffed and drug off the field to a loud cheer from our student section.
Quote:
Prior to graduating in 1993, Mark impressively tackled both the Bucky Badger (Wisconsin's mascot) and the Furd's tree, the latter of which was a monster smash [U]during the '92 Big Game[/U].
source: http://sbn.to/fvZIeq
Don't forget the really nice calendar in that pocket. $65? Not worth it.
Since Tedford's arrival I no longer just hate Stanfurd. I hate everyone. lol.
Since Tedford's arrival I no longer just hate Stanfurd. I hate everyone. lol.
I was there, I stormed the field, I helped rape the tree. they deserved it. it was the proudest moment I have ever experienced as a cal student. We were all one big family.
My somewhat random memories and observations:
The game which we never got to see the Axe exchange was 1993. We had suffered through a long six years after relinquishing the Axe in 1987 and finally won it back with an extremely satisfying -- you might even call it cathartic -- 46-17 crushing of Stanford. ("Six game winless streak," we all said to each other. "Glad that's over and that we'll never suffer through something like that again!" What fools we all were (and are)!
I was really looking forward to seeing the Cal players come over to the Cal section with the Axe held high.
Alas, the powers that be decided these Axe Exchanges are too messy, and must be regulated. So they put some insane amount of time on the scoreboard clock...I think it was either 30 or 45 minutes, and counted down until the Exchange. What a buzzkill.
The descriptions in this thread of the '97 set-to are accurate. I will add, at the risk of being tarred and feathered electronically, that I have never been a big fan of people rushing the field to destroy mascots (as silly as they may be) or throwing things at the other team's band (same), and in the years leading up to the '97 Big Game, I felt more than a little embarrassed by all the stuff Cal fans had been doing at Big Game. (I know...I'm a pansy.)
So I distinctly remember thinking at the time that this was one instance in which there's no way one could blame the Cal fans. The Stanford fans definitely started it all by taunting the Cal section after a tough loss. And then they ran like scared little children when the fence they thought was protecting them suddenly disappeared.
The game which we never got to see the Axe exchange was 1993. We had suffered through a long six years after relinquishing the Axe in 1987 and finally won it back with an extremely satisfying -- you might even call it cathartic -- 46-17 crushing of Stanford. ("Six game winless streak," we all said to each other. "Glad that's over and that we'll never suffer through something like that again!" What fools we all were (and are)!
I was really looking forward to seeing the Cal players come over to the Cal section with the Axe held high.
Alas, the powers that be decided these Axe Exchanges are too messy, and must be regulated. So they put some insane amount of time on the scoreboard clock...I think it was either 30 or 45 minutes, and counted down until the Exchange. What a buzzkill.
The descriptions in this thread of the '97 set-to are accurate. I will add, at the risk of being tarred and feathered electronically, that I have never been a big fan of people rushing the field to destroy mascots (as silly as they may be) or throwing things at the other team's band (same), and in the years leading up to the '97 Big Game, I felt more than a little embarrassed by all the stuff Cal fans had been doing at Big Game. (I know...I'm a pansy.)
So I distinctly remember thinking at the time that this was one instance in which there's no way one could blame the Cal fans. The Stanford fans definitely started it all by taunting the Cal section after a tough loss. And then they ran like scared little children when the fence they thought was protecting them suddenly disappeared.
goodrich;841978588 said:
If I recall correctly they threw it over the top of the stadium. I read another poster say they didn't but that is how my buddy and I remember it. The goal post was definitely torn down and one side was carried up into the Cal section of the stadium.
It was left in the stands long after most people had left... I was one of the last off the field jawing with the pigs for causing the trouble.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH; A little aside; Adam Rittenberg and I both went on the field...
LOL... I forgot about that until I talked to him today about this thread.
I also have Destefano's Game Jersey from that game...
rush the field;841978678 said:
- during the game, there was a penalty on Stanfurd. When the stadium announcement for the penalty was made, it came across as "Penalty on Stanford...because Stanford sucks". I did a double take, not believing what I just heard. Others around me heard the same, so I wasnt crazy. The story around campus was that some Cal students hacked into the PA system and briefly took over control of the announcement. Maybe others here can verify this.
"15 yard penalty against Stanford, Excessive Arrogance" IIRC.
This prank is extremely under reported.
Phantomfan;841978708 said:
"15 yard penalty against Stanford, Excessive Arrogance" IIRC.
This prank is extremely under reported.
Agreed! Very clever and well executed.
Another memory of the '97 Big Game is the interminable halftime show. It was the 100th Big Game, so someone decided it would be a good idea to have a Super Bowl-like halftime show, except without any talent, interesting "wardrobe malfunctions" or anything else that might have made fans feel like the show lasted under four hours. Up With People would have been a substantial improvement.
86Oski;841978739 said:
Agreed! Very clever and well executed.
Another memory of the '97 Big Game is the interminable halftime show. It was the 100th Big Game, so someone decided it would be a good idea to have a Super Bowl-like halftime show, except without any talent, interesting "wardrobe malfunctions" or anything else that might have made fans feel like the show lasted under four hours. Up With People would have been a substantial improvement.
The only thing Furd has done well, EVER, is their halftime show during the 25th anny of the Play.
Well done, IMHO... the only time I have ever thought their band was remotely entertaining or clever.
86Oski;841978697 said:
I will add, at the risk of being tarred and feathered electronically, that I have never been a big fan of people rushing the field to destroy mascots (as silly as they may be) or throwing things at the other team's band (same). (I know...I'm a pansy.)
I'll say it too. That's pretty sh*tty and I can't believe anyone defends it as something that makes the rivalry great. I'm all for smack talk that does nothing but hurt the other guy's pride, but dumping crap on opposing fans? Throwing frozen oranges at the band, for God's sake? Someone could get hurt that way, but I guess if you're an asshole, it's hilarious as long as it doesn't happen to you.
I also don't get all this squawking about police at games. What, you're all suddenly channeling late 80's NWA now? I guess having giant unchecked melees on the field is better than having security stop you from "enjoying the rivalry"....
Phantomfan;841978751 said:
The only thing Furd has done well, EVER, is their halftime show during the 25th anny of the Play.
Well done, IMHO... the only time I have ever thought their band was remotely entertaining or clever.
I don't recall that show, but that's because I started ignoring the band around 1984 or so.
I think Stanford has pulled a couple of good pranks. The fake Daily Cal prank following the '82 BG was pretty good, although at the time I was amazed anyone fell for it.
Another grudging acknowledgement of a prank well-pulled goes to the people from Stanford who called the company renting the buses to the Cal Band for the 1983 BG and canceled them. The Band made it down to the Farm around the end of the first quarter.
Where's aunursa1 when you need him???
510Bear;841978757 said:
I'll say it too. That's pretty sh*tty and I can't believe anyone defends it as something that makes the rivalry great. I'm all for smack talk that does nothing but hurt the other guy's pride, but dumping crap on opposing fans? Throwing frozen oranges at the band, for God's sake? Someone could get hurt that way, but I guess if you're an asshole, it's hilarious as long as it doesn't happen to you.
I also don't get all this squawking about police at games. What, you're all suddenly channeling late 80's NWA now? I guess having giant unchecked melees on the field is better than having security stop you from "enjoying the rivalry"....
Clearly you do not recall the cops at those games...
1. There were enough to keep the sides separate in 1997, but not enough to make it feel like we were living in a police state. Unfortunately they decided to do their jobs AFTER they let Furd assault Cal fans, or the entire thing would have been avoided. (now the cops let fans have fun but prevent them from approaching the student sections to avoid baiting - all without shoulder to shoulder police in RIOT GEAR).
2. In 1999 they purposefully tried to intimidate Cal fans with numbers that were enough to LITERALLY stand shoulder to shoulder in FULL riot gear with shield etc, WITH BATONS OUT in front of the ENTIRE Cal section (not just Student Section). and exactly ZERO in front of the Furd sections that instigated the 1997 melee.
They were excessive in numbers and ridiculously aggressive, starting with drawing weapons long before the game was over (marching into the stadium at the start of the 4th quarter), then marching through the stands to disperse passive crowds of normal fans (ie not students, the ENTIRE Cal section) is something I have NEVER seen at any other American sporting event...EVER. If you can name a single American sporting event that has had that kind of police presence of tactics, I would LOVE to hear about it.
So, yeah, in that case, I had ZERO respect for them. It is completely ridiculous for you to claim that surrounding one group of fans as a show of force (including Alumni sections), but not any other group of fans, including Furds students, then rolling through Cal sections while Furd sections are left full does anything but hurt the enjoyment of the rivalry.
Claiming it does not hurt the rivalry to do that is flat out stupid.
It sounds like '99 probably went too far, but in general, the way some fans on this board describe police at Cal games....I'm sorry they don't get to slingshot oranges at opposing fans or tear down goalposts, but there's no need to get all butthurt about how they're the victim of some evil police-state conspiracy to ruin their good time.
Maybe you'd feel different if you were actually there like most of us on the thread. I was already 15 years out of school and I thought it was pretty offensive....as if they were caging in the Cal fans.
Agree with Phantomfan totally on this subject. The Stanfurd administration and their rental goons have gone out of their way to show their disrespect and IMO actually encouraged the bad behavior.
I clearly remember one cop who loudly said to one group of older Cal fans as they walked to their cars, "I hate you Berkeley *******!". Nice.
I clearly remember one cop who loudly said to one group of older Cal fans as they walked to their cars, "I hate you Berkeley *******!". Nice.
Phantomfan;841978708 said:
"15 yard penalty against Stanford, Excessive Arrogance" IIRC.
This prank is extremely under reported.
Totally agree on how under-reported this prank was. I clearly remember when it came over the PA system... the timing was perfect. Kind of during a lull in the action, when the crowd was at a murmer, the PA system clicks on and we hear (in the voice of the Furd PA announcer no less) "Unsportsmanlike arrogance. Stanford sucks." For a few seconds we all stared at each other totally bewildered like "did I just hear that??" Then everyone erupted in cheers without understanding what the hell had just happened. A few seconds later the game play resumed and we all kind of forgot about it. It was pretty great though. Somebody needs to find out who pulled off that prank and interview them.
I'm pretty sure it was the 1999 game with the stormtroopers taking over the field in front of the Cal section. One guy in the stands, he may have been former micman Ken Montgomery, (I do remember the same guy standing up and leading cheers several other times in the alumni section at other Big Games), started a chant, "More security... more security!"
johngalenhoward;841978962 said:
Somebody needs to find out who pulled off that prank and interview them.
According the below link, the guy responsible was a Cal student named Ted Kelly. Anyone have any info on this guy? He is my hero.
http://baybloggin.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-game-pranks-100-years-war.html
"1997 Cal student Ted Kelly figures out how to hack into the referee's microphone system at Stanford Stadium. During the season he purchases some radio equipment and then tests it at Stanford home games. At the Big Game Kelly's planning comes to fruition when the referee is about to call a second-half foul. The entire stadium hears the call: "Penalty for unsportsmanlike arrogance ... Stanford sucks!""
goodrich;841978588 said:
The Cal students did rock the fence back and forth then started jumping over and you could see this huge sea of red on the field move away and back to the other side and a sea of blue and gold take the field. It looked like oil and water not mixing. The Cal students tore down the goal post and carried one side up into the stands. If I recall correctly they threw it over the top of the stadium. I read another poster say they didn't but that is how my buddy and I remember it. The goal post was definitely torn down and one side was carried up into the Cal section of the stadium. We did not go on to the field, we just stayed in the stands. This was a pretty crazy situation.
Those games were the best!
We sure did throw it over the top (We all made sure no one was down there first). It was awesome. I think some guys took one of the arms back to Berkeley on top of a van but that part is hazy to me.
HairOfTheBear;841978470 said:
Even my rather reserved father joined us on the field and it just felt right. My brother and I had a bonding moment with Dad that day. We didn't fight anyone, but helped break something. We helped break Stanford's spirit that day and we didn't regret it at all.
Big Game: breaking down spirits and generational gaps for 115 meetings.
I leave this story here. Let the chips fall where they may. But this story being on topic, I felt I had to disclose it.
I never actually attended the 1997 big game. I had tickets and I had the means to attend, but things didn't quite work out as I planned.
In '97 I was a junior at Cal. My friend and I had put together this plan for the big game where we would stay with some coed 'furd students he knew and attend the game together. That Friday before the game, we rode Bart to the Daly City station and had the coeds pick us up and take us into Palo Alto. They were staying in student housing that wasn't quite a dorm. The nearest thing I can equate it to is Hoyt hall on Berkeley's North side. It was fairly nice because only females lived there.
We awoke the next day with every intention of going to the game. But these girls turned out to be restless deadbeats. The whole clan with exception of myself ended up taking shrooms that morning and were in no shape to go to the game by that afternoon. This frustrated me to no end but I had no intention of going on my own. In hindsight, this is what I should have done, but I was not familiar enough with the campus to go wondering about on my own, especially in Cal gear. Alas I stayed with my deadbeat entourage as they wandered about the farm, befriending all wildlife and engrossing themselves in the wonderment of the taco bell campus and all its diverse flora.
Meanwhile events where transpiring at the football stadium that would add to the history of this classic rivalry. There were various festivities both before and during the game that celebrated this as the 100th anniversary of the contest. Navy seals parachuted onto the field bringing the game ball with them. In the 4th quarter, Cal made a surge but ultimately lost the game by one point, 21 - 20. After this, the stanford fans on one side of the stadium were allowed onto the field to celebrate. While a fence prevented Cal fans on the opposite side from entering the field. This celebration by the furdies quickly turned to taunting of the opposing fan base knowing full well that a fence in front of the Cal fans secured them from the possibility of retribution. Well, it was the big game after all, so the fence eventually succumbed to the frustration of Cal fans and they began pouring onto the field. Stanford fans immediately fled, scrambling to find the gates that had allowed them onto the field in the first place. Eventually Cal fans found themselves alone on stanford's home field with nothing to do but tear down their goal post and carry it up into the stands.
So while watching my acquaintances frolic about re-experiencing nature, I was completely unaware that all this had transpired. I knew that Cal had lost as I was following the news. But what had actually transpired after the game was not reported. Later that evening, I was finally able to talk this motley crew into going to a post game party on campus. We found a frat party and not knowing what to expect, I had the presence of mind to pull a sweatshirt over my Cal shirt and have one of the girls hide my cal hat in her purse. Walking into the party was a strange experience indeed. It is hard to explain how uncomfortable it is or how much of a shock to the eyes it can be being surrounded by a sea of cardinal red when you are not accustomed it! All the people in that party together in spirit, relishing their victory over their rival. It is something I will never forget. I began to wander and found a table where a game of quarters was going on. I managed to work my way into a friendly game, and after about 20 minutes at the table, the girl who had been securing my cal hat decided it would be cute to take it from her bag and place it squarely on my head!
"Ooohhhhhhhhhhhh!" The crowd of frat kids seemed to exclaim their shock in unison.
It seemed there was a full second of awkward silence and perhaps a moment of disbelief fell over the crowd. Then I was immediately put on the spot.
"You go to Cal?!" Exclaimed the frat kid at the table whose turn it happened to be.
"Yeah?" I offered while scanning the room for exits.
pud duh clank! - "DRINK!"
I obliged.
Again - pud duh clank!
And again I obliged.
This went on, and on ... and on.
Pud duh clank! - "Cal guy, drink!"
The game of quarters had become playfully vindictive. Each one of the players at the table were targeting me. I recall that I kept my own and made a few shots in the beginning. But there isn't much in the way of recourse when a dozen or so players team up against you in a game of quarters. So I gladly swilled their domestic beer until we had exhausted their supply. I was determined to disguise just how inebriated I had become. I didn’t move much, I didn’t get up until the very end, and I engaged in playful banter each time I was forced to drink. The last thing I remember was leaving the place after what seemed like 90 minutes. The guys at the table were a little disappointed by the fact that they had derived no discernible grief on my part after the massacre at the quarters table. Indeed the whole thing had transpired quickly enough that I was likely not as intoxicated as I was about to become. But the crowd parted and nobody gave me any issues. Perhaps my bravado had payed off. And I had taken their best shot in stride and had survived, or at least I had not puked, passed out, nor otherwise made an ass of myself.
I don't remember walking back to the housing unit at all, but I definitely did not know my way and I must have had guidance. The next thing I recall was waking on the floor of a coed's room with a legendary hang over, scrambling to find my clothes, and riding in the back seat as one of the females drove my friend and I back to the Daly City bart station. There we sat while waiting for bart to arrive. It was Sunday, and at the end of the line, it seemed the train took an eternity. Or perhaps I was simply hung over.
"Uhhhhhg! I have got to slow down." I groaned. "This college life is taking its toll."
It wasn't until my friend spoke that I realized how silent the morning had been. No one had said more than three words to me.
"Dude you don't remember anything about last night?" He quipped while glancing over my way with a look of disgust.
"What are you talking about?!"
"You went off the deep end last night. You really don't remember?!"
I shrugged a little.
"You were so sh!tfaced last night! You were completely belligerent! You were yelling all the way back from the party just how much stanford sucked. No one could get to sleep last night because of you. I came out to find you on the balcony yelling out 'stanford sucks' for all the world to hear. Then you unzipped your pants and p!ssed all over the picnic benches below. I told you to stop and all you said was, 'f@ck 'em, they all suck anyway'!"
EDIT: I should probably point out that the picnic tables were empty. By then it was late at night or perhaps well into early morning. :rolleyes:
I never actually attended the 1997 big game. I had tickets and I had the means to attend, but things didn't quite work out as I planned.
In '97 I was a junior at Cal. My friend and I had put together this plan for the big game where we would stay with some coed 'furd students he knew and attend the game together. That Friday before the game, we rode Bart to the Daly City station and had the coeds pick us up and take us into Palo Alto. They were staying in student housing that wasn't quite a dorm. The nearest thing I can equate it to is Hoyt hall on Berkeley's North side. It was fairly nice because only females lived there.
We awoke the next day with every intention of going to the game. But these girls turned out to be restless deadbeats. The whole clan with exception of myself ended up taking shrooms that morning and were in no shape to go to the game by that afternoon. This frustrated me to no end but I had no intention of going on my own. In hindsight, this is what I should have done, but I was not familiar enough with the campus to go wondering about on my own, especially in Cal gear. Alas I stayed with my deadbeat entourage as they wandered about the farm, befriending all wildlife and engrossing themselves in the wonderment of the taco bell campus and all its diverse flora.
Meanwhile events where transpiring at the football stadium that would add to the history of this classic rivalry. There were various festivities both before and during the game that celebrated this as the 100th anniversary of the contest. Navy seals parachuted onto the field bringing the game ball with them. In the 4th quarter, Cal made a surge but ultimately lost the game by one point, 21 - 20. After this, the stanford fans on one side of the stadium were allowed onto the field to celebrate. While a fence prevented Cal fans on the opposite side from entering the field. This celebration by the furdies quickly turned to taunting of the opposing fan base knowing full well that a fence in front of the Cal fans secured them from the possibility of retribution. Well, it was the big game after all, so the fence eventually succumbed to the frustration of Cal fans and they began pouring onto the field. Stanford fans immediately fled, scrambling to find the gates that had allowed them onto the field in the first place. Eventually Cal fans found themselves alone on stanford's home field with nothing to do but tear down their goal post and carry it up into the stands.
So while watching my acquaintances frolic about re-experiencing nature, I was completely unaware that all this had transpired. I knew that Cal had lost as I was following the news. But what had actually transpired after the game was not reported. Later that evening, I was finally able to talk this motley crew into going to a post game party on campus. We found a frat party and not knowing what to expect, I had the presence of mind to pull a sweatshirt over my Cal shirt and have one of the girls hide my cal hat in her purse. Walking into the party was a strange experience indeed. It is hard to explain how uncomfortable it is or how much of a shock to the eyes it can be being surrounded by a sea of cardinal red when you are not accustomed it! All the people in that party together in spirit, relishing their victory over their rival. It is something I will never forget. I began to wander and found a table where a game of quarters was going on. I managed to work my way into a friendly game, and after about 20 minutes at the table, the girl who had been securing my cal hat decided it would be cute to take it from her bag and place it squarely on my head!
"Ooohhhhhhhhhhhh!" The crowd of frat kids seemed to exclaim their shock in unison.
It seemed there was a full second of awkward silence and perhaps a moment of disbelief fell over the crowd. Then I was immediately put on the spot.
"You go to Cal?!" Exclaimed the frat kid at the table whose turn it happened to be.
"Yeah?" I offered while scanning the room for exits.
pud duh clank! - "DRINK!"
I obliged.
Again - pud duh clank!
And again I obliged.
This went on, and on ... and on.
Pud duh clank! - "Cal guy, drink!"
The game of quarters had become playfully vindictive. Each one of the players at the table were targeting me. I recall that I kept my own and made a few shots in the beginning. But there isn't much in the way of recourse when a dozen or so players team up against you in a game of quarters. So I gladly swilled their domestic beer until we had exhausted their supply. I was determined to disguise just how inebriated I had become. I didn’t move much, I didn’t get up until the very end, and I engaged in playful banter each time I was forced to drink. The last thing I remember was leaving the place after what seemed like 90 minutes. The guys at the table were a little disappointed by the fact that they had derived no discernible grief on my part after the massacre at the quarters table. Indeed the whole thing had transpired quickly enough that I was likely not as intoxicated as I was about to become. But the crowd parted and nobody gave me any issues. Perhaps my bravado had payed off. And I had taken their best shot in stride and had survived, or at least I had not puked, passed out, nor otherwise made an ass of myself.
I don't remember walking back to the housing unit at all, but I definitely did not know my way and I must have had guidance. The next thing I recall was waking on the floor of a coed's room with a legendary hang over, scrambling to find my clothes, and riding in the back seat as one of the females drove my friend and I back to the Daly City bart station. There we sat while waiting for bart to arrive. It was Sunday, and at the end of the line, it seemed the train took an eternity. Or perhaps I was simply hung over.
"Uhhhhhg! I have got to slow down." I groaned. "This college life is taking its toll."
It wasn't until my friend spoke that I realized how silent the morning had been. No one had said more than three words to me.
"Dude you don't remember anything about last night?" He quipped while glancing over my way with a look of disgust.
"What are you talking about?!"
"You went off the deep end last night. You really don't remember?!"
I shrugged a little.
"You were so sh!tfaced last night! You were completely belligerent! You were yelling all the way back from the party just how much stanford sucked. No one could get to sleep last night because of you. I came out to find you on the balcony yelling out 'stanford sucks' for all the world to hear. Then you unzipped your pants and p!ssed all over the picnic benches below. I told you to stop and all you said was, 'f@ck 'em, they all suck anyway'!"
EDIT: I should probably point out that the picnic tables were empty. By then it was late at night or perhaps well into early morning. :rolleyes:
johngalenhoward;841978993 said:
"1997 Cal student Ted Kelly figures out how to hack into the referee's microphone system at Stanford Stadium. During the season he purchases some radio equipment and then tests it at Stanford home games. At the Big Game Kelly's planning comes to fruition when the referee is about to call a second-half foul. The entire stadium hears the call: "Penalty for unsportsmanlike arrogance ... Stanford sucks!""
Interesting. Pretty much the same stunt was pulled in the '91 BG which I attended. I'm not confusing it with '97 which I could not attend. In '91 I think it happened either a few minutes before the start of the game or early in the 1st quarter. Can anybody here corroborate this?
after the 2002 big game i ran on the field along with about 3 of my buddies and ran straight over to the stanfurd student section flipping them off as we got there. needless to sat they werent interested in any payback for 1997
Duuuuudes! Y'all forgot one thing about the 1997 Big Game.
I will submit the following screenshots from the Chron and Examiner with links to the full article above each screenshot.
(I was working at the Daily Cal at this time. It was THRILLING.)
Story 1:
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Daily-Cal-apology-for-swipe-at-Chelsea-3087859.php
Story 2:
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Cal-Student-Gets-Visit-From-Secret-Police-2821436.php
Story 3:
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Secret-Service-grills-Cal-columnist-3088557.php
I will submit the following screenshots from the Chron and Examiner with links to the full article above each screenshot.
(I was working at the Daily Cal at this time. It was THRILLING.)
Story 1:
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Daily-Cal-apology-for-swipe-at-Chelsea-3087859.php
Story 2:
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Cal-Student-Gets-Visit-From-Secret-Police-2821436.php
Story 3:
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Secret-Service-grills-Cal-columnist-3088557.php
Cant believe I forgot about the Chelsea article and the Secret Service story. That was definitely big news around campus.
Attached is a picture from the 1998 Big Game which I scanned from a 1999 Daily Cal article on the history of Big Game riots. For some reason I kept that issue.
Attached is a picture from the 1998 Big Game which I scanned from a 1999 Daily Cal article on the history of Big Game riots. For some reason I kept that issue.
Can't believe I hadn't heard these awesome stories before. Alas you guys didn't leave any fun for the millennial classes. I remember running on the field in 2002. That was back when Tedford was God and saving us after our one win season. The following year in my only trip to the farm, I felt so happy beating down the furd and felt like we took over their stadium as chants of This is Bear Territory is all that could be heard at the end. Of course I remember there was the riot police and even vans ready to arrest rowdy fans. But on the plus someone did steal the tree mascot... How often has that happened? At half time there mascot I guess had been returned, but it was tainted in their eyes so the furd shredded it. Pretty good show.
Phantomfan;841978826 said:
Clearly you do not recall the cops at those games...
1. There were enough to keep the sides separate in 1997, but not enough to make it feel like we were living in a police state. Unfortunately they decided to do their jobs AFTER they let Furd assault Cal fans, or the entire thing would have been avoided. (now the cops let fans have fun but prevent them from approaching the student sections to avoid baiting - all without shoulder to shoulder police in RIOT GEAR).
2. In 1999 they purposefully tried to intimidate Cal fans with numbers that were enough to LITERALLY stand shoulder to shoulder in FULL riot gear with shield etc, WITH BATONS OUT in front of the ENTIRE Cal section (not just Student Section). and exactly ZERO in front of the Furd sections that instigated the 1997 melee.
They were excessive in numbers and ridiculously aggressive, starting with drawing weapons long before the game was over (marching into the stadium at the start of the 4th quarter), then marching through the stands to disperse passive crowds of normal fans (ie not students, the ENTIRE Cal section) is something I have NEVER seen at any other American sporting event...EVER. If you can name a single American sporting event that has had that kind of police presence of tactics, I would LOVE to hear about it.
So, yeah, in that case, I had ZERO respect for them. It is completely ridiculous for you to claim that surrounding one group of fans as a show of force (including Alumni sections), but not any other group of fans, including Furds students, then rolling through Cal sections while Furd sections are left full does anything but hurt the enjoyment of the rivalry.
Claiming it does not hurt the rivalry to do that is flat out stupid.
It was ridiculous. I was in the student section in 99 and was removed by the cops because someone behind me threw something at the cops, so they grabbed me and the guy and pulled us onto the field, questioned us, and when we both didn't fess up (I didn't know he threw anything until after), we were "arrested" and thrown out of the game. They took down our student information but nothing ever happened - I was expecting to get a call from student affairs but no one said a thing, so I figure they just tried to scare us. Anyway, they drove us on the back of a cart handcuffed past the furd student section on the track, which was amazing, and kicked us out (after removing the the zip-ties of course.) This was early in the 4th quarter, so we walked around the stadium for a bit trying to find a way in, and sure enough, the attendent at one of the gates was chatting with a female attendent at the next gate over, so we made a run for it. They saw us and gave chase, but we lost them in the crowd and made it back to the student section to catch the end of the game.
:gobears:
It is funny about how which school you attended colors your perceptions of these events. I was class of 1996 and was in law school at the time so I didn't attend that Big Game. I remember reading about the events and talking with friends who were at the game. The consensus at the Stanford side was that Cal had dozens of hooligan fans that rushed the field after losing and tore down the goalpost. We could never get our arms around the fact that you would rush the field and tear down a goalpost after losing.
Looking back on it now, there is some blame to go around on both sides. Stanford fans shouldn't have taunted Berkeley fans behind the fence. That is bush league. That said, there is really no excuse for rushing the field and trying to tear down a goalpost, particularly after you lose. The risk of physical violence goes up exponentially in that case.
The aftermath of that Big Game was pathetic on both of our sides and it is certainly nothing I am proud of from a Stanford perspective. If you step back from the rivalry for a second, you realize these are two top-notch academic instutions and I have higher expectations of Stanford and Cal fans than I do of, say, Alabama and Ohio State fans.
Looking back on it now, there is some blame to go around on both sides. Stanford fans shouldn't have taunted Berkeley fans behind the fence. That is bush league. That said, there is really no excuse for rushing the field and trying to tear down a goalpost, particularly after you lose. The risk of physical violence goes up exponentially in that case.
The aftermath of that Big Game was pathetic on both of our sides and it is certainly nothing I am proud of from a Stanford perspective. If you step back from the rivalry for a second, you realize these are two top-notch academic instutions and I have higher expectations of Stanford and Cal fans than I do of, say, Alabama and Ohio State fans.
BancroftSteps;841979089 said:
"You were so sh!tfaced last night! You were completely belligerent! You were yelling all the way back from the party just how much stanford sucked. No one could get to sleep last night because of you. I came out to find you on the balcony yelling out 'stanford sucks' for all the world to hear. Then you unzipped your pants and p!ssed all over the picnic benches below. I told you to stop and all you said was, 'f@ck 'em, they all suck anyway'!"
I dont understand the issue... F^$& em!
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