The Bruins have spent this season playing either "exhibition" or "home" games in Ontario, Anaheim, and the Sports Arena. The other option, likely, would have been the Forum, but a deal wasn't reached. So, upon hearing that Minnesota Laughs had secured 4 tickets and a parking pass for the Colorado game, I was likely too excited to see the arena. The game? Eh...
But LA being LA, leaving Burbank (long story) to get downtown with over an hour in advance was not enough time. The thundering Golden State Freeway was shitsville, and attempted cutting through Glendale through downtown (while Minnesota Laughs attempted to drive as if she were blind) got us there roughly 5 minutes into the first half. But, we were alive. Not much time to take in our surroundings.
As you can see, the Sports Arena enjoys fine sight lines...almost Met Center-esque. The school really tried to make this seem like a "home" for the year, with championship banners throughout. It was a vocal crowd, which is the LA style. Screams and taunts against an opponent who had played a grand total of 8 games in the same conference as the Bruins flowed. Another benefit: the acoustics...which would explain why the old venue still sees big name musical acts. Even at 3/4ths full, it was LOUD. My exploring would have to wait...Minnesota Laughs and her friend were knitting and barely paying attention, while a man on the end of the aisle (wearing a 1992 NCAA Final Four cap) struggled to get up each time. Maybe it was the leather chairs?
Halftime sent EVERYONE out of their seats, and we hit one aspect where the old place showed its age: the bathrooms. Dr. Gold, someone who joined this excursion, was the first point this out: "Oh man - troughs. Wow." There were other options, and those options included not having soap at each sink (why isn't there one long sink with 30 nozzles?) and it took an excited fan to search through the janitor's closet to get more paper towels. Hey, whatever it takes...
So, we took a lap and in doing so were impressed by the concessions. Not all were open (to do so would make things convenient) but one stand was making homemade burritos of your choice. GOLD. What's that I see? A BEER?! That's right, this isn't an on campus venue. Purchasing said nectar (a Blue Moon...could be worse) was on everyone's mind. The duration of my wait saw my finishing said burrito. I was getting pretty fucking salty by the time I hit the front of the line for my order. I was missing the game and I looked to the side (instinctively) to see a TV. There wasn't one...but there was a framed photo of Richard Nixon. The hell?
To my left, there's a framed photo of JFK. There has to be an explanation for this (there is...which doesn't make it nearly as cool to just stumble on the two). Finally returning to our seats, UCLA began to make quick work of the Buffs, including one comical dunk when 300+ lb. Josh Smith dunked...and then landed on the ball. The ball did not flatten, and despite one wagon wheel down, he recovered.
Time was tight as we scrambled to leave. As we exited, Dr. Gold asked "OK...you can only save one. Forum or this place?" (sigh) I have to make that decision? Let's save that tale of the tape for the ultimate decision. Hell...a certain owner of the Rams might end up owning the Dodgers...and they'll need a stadium location. Would you be acceptable in razzing one of these to get the Rams back? I think that idea, for better or worse, ups the ante.
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