75th Annual East Los Angeles Classic

Friday, November 6, 2009
East Los Angeles College
Frosh/Soph Game: 4:00 PM - Varsity Game: 7:30 PM

It has been said that this is the oldest and largest high school football rivalries west of the Mississippi and definitely in the state of California.  Annual attendance reaches 20,000 spectators at East Los Angeles College.  Visitors to the game often note that the evening takes on a life of its own.  The evening is more than a football game.  It is often seen as a family reunion spanning several generations.  It is not unusual for spectators from both schools to attend to meet with old friends and family members. 

The game, although important for the final score which gives bragging rights to the winning team for a year, offers everyone a chance to step back into the past, and relive some of their high school memories.  This is afforded them because the rich traditions established over 85 years ago, have not changed.  (You may note the discrepancy between a rivalry that spans 85 years and this is only the 75^th meeting.  Ten years were lost due to World War II where the game was not played)  

What traditions?  This is probably one of the only double homecoming events in the state, let alone the nation.  King, Queen, Prince and Princess from each school are crowned during a ceremony that precedes the Varsity game.  Everything counts on this evening.  There is competition between the drum majors for the bands for their skill in tossing the baton.  There is the battle of the marching bands, the drill teams, the dance teams, the cheerleaders, the leadership councils, and of course the mascots. 

In the end, there are never any major incidents.  This is what the community expects.  Good clean competition that displays the best qualities of a group of people proud of their traditions and heritage.  Because of the proximity of the two schools, many of the spectators and participants live next to each other.  Many have even married which often makes the choice of where to sit, Garfield or Roosevelt, a matter for debate.  Some families with multiple children have even chosen to sit on opposite sides with one child each.  In the end we are one family, one community, with a very special event to help tie the generations together.

THE EAST LOS ANGELES CLASSIC.