[needle]

Yes, stormtroopers refers to the security guys with shields that were deemed necessary after Big Game '97, when Kal fans tore down some fencing to rush the field (and there was far more stadium violence than that, though no serious injuries).

I believe the extra security was there for a couple of Big Games after that. Kal fans after Big Game '98 chose to hurl objects at Stanford fans (a half-full bottle of water does a fair amount of damage when it hits someone in the head, as I witnessed up close) and there was a fair amount of almost-fights/posturing in the stands, but I don't recall if there were any arrests that year.

[needle]

Yes, stormtroopers refers to the security guys with shields that were deemed necessary after Big Game '97, when Kal fans tore down some fencing to rush the field (and there was far more stadium violence than that, though no serious injuries).

I believe the extra security was there for a couple of Big Games after that. Kal fans after Big Game '98 chose to hurl objects at Stanford fans (a half-full bottle of water does a fair amount of damage when it hits someone in the head, as I witnessed up close) and there was a fair amount of almost-fights/posturing in the stands, but I don't recall if there were any arrests that year.

[martyup]

[quote author=eric link=topic=18053.msg213195#msg213195 date=1510940995]
[quote author=UltimateCard link=topic=18053.msg213163#msg213163 date=1510899107]

I have fond memories of chasing the band up and down the hills of the City. Unfortunately, the tradition ended in the late 80s or early 90s after a driver lost his composure and rammed his car into the crowd. Anyone have a more precise handle on the timing?

it was in 1982

[/quote][/quote]

Wow, I don't recall the car incident.  I was at the 1982 rally and had my own run-in with ןɐɔ student violence.  After the rally, our bus broke down and was late picking us up.  We had to wait in a little park not far from the wharf.  I was sitting on a fire hydrant near the curb and a car pulled up and stopped.  A young guy in a ןɐɔ sweatshirt got out of the passenger door and casually walked up to me and said "Can you give me directions to . . ." He then lunged forward and ripped the Stanford cap off of my head and jumped back in the car just before it laid rubber and sped off.

I never realized that I attended the last Big Game rally to march through the streets of SF down to the wharf. 

[martyup]

[quote author=eric link=topic=18053.msg213195#msg213195 date=1510940995]
[quote author=UltimateCard link=topic=18053.msg213163#msg213163 date=1510899107]

I have fond memories of chasing the band up and down the hills of the City. Unfortunately, the tradition ended in the late 80s or early 90s after a driver lost his composure and rammed his car into the crowd. Anyone have a more precise handle on the timing?

it was in 1982

[/quote][/quote]

Wow, I don't recall the car incident.  I was at the 1982 rally and had my own run-in with ןɐɔ student violence.  After the rally, our bus broke down and was late picking us up.  We had to wait in a little park not far from the wharf.  I was sitting on a fire hydrant near the curb and a car pulled up and stopped.  A young guy in a ןɐɔ sweatshirt got out of the passenger door and casually walked up to me and said "Can you give me directions to . . ." He then lunged forward and ripped the Stanford cap off of my head and jumped back in the car just before it laid rubber and sped off.

I never realized that I attended the last Big Game rally to march through the streets of SF down to the wharf. 

[cardcrimson]

[quote author=cardcrimson link=topic=18053.msg213158#msg213158 date=1510893579]
[quote author=el mono link=topic=18053.msg213155#msg213155 date=1510887435]
[quote author=cardcrimson link=topic=18053.msg213154#msg213154 date=1510886897]
Hate the SEC all you want, but at least their rivalries are quite friendly. Ours, sadly, no longer.

Are you sure about that?  :P

http://www.espn.com/college-football/sto...etter-spat
[/quote]

Last time I checked, they don't play the Iron Bowl in Mobile.
[/quote]

This didn't seem like a friendly act:

https://www.foxsports.com/college-footba...yke-112615

BC
[/quote]

Did it happen during a game? No. Was the guy an Alabama grad or student? No. Was he an idiot? Yes. Was what he did crucified by the Alabama faithful? Yes.

Riots don't break out and fans aren't physically and verbally abused at SEC games. I was referring to conduct at games, but feel free to find fault where you can if it makes you feel better.

[cardcrimson]

[quote author=cardcrimson link=topic=18053.msg213158#msg213158 date=1510893579]
[quote author=el mono link=topic=18053.msg213155#msg213155 date=1510887435]
[quote author=cardcrimson link=topic=18053.msg213154#msg213154 date=1510886897]
Hate the SEC all you want, but at least their rivalries are quite friendly. Ours, sadly, no longer.

Are you sure about that?  :P

http://www.espn.com/college-football/sto...etter-spat
[/quote]

Last time I checked, they don't play the Iron Bowl in Mobile.
[/quote]

This didn't seem like a friendly act:

https://www.foxsports.com/college-footba...yke-112615

BC
[/quote]

Did it happen during a game? No. Was the guy an Alabama grad or student? No. Was he an idiot? Yes. Was what he did crucified by the Alabama faithful? Yes.

Riots don't break out and fans aren't physically and verbally abused at SEC games. I was referring to conduct at games, but feel free to find fault where you can if it makes you feel better.

[oldalum]

Hate the SEC all you want, but at least their rivalries are quite friendly.

I can't speak for all SEC rivalries, but I have become versed in the Vanderbilt-Tennessee rivalry the past few years, and it makes Cal-Stanford look like an afternoon tea party with crumpets.

[oldalum]

Hate the SEC all you want, but at least their rivalries are quite friendly.

I can't speak for all SEC rivalries, but I have become versed in the Vanderbilt-Tennessee rivalry the past few years, and it makes Cal-Stanford look like an afternoon tea party with crumpets.