How to Make the Most of a UCSB Sports Game

Whether you live for sports or you know nothing about sports games, the experience of attending a college sports game differs at every school. I have enjoyed all the UCSB sports games I have attended these past four years as a Gaucho and want to make sure you do too! Attending a game if you are not a regular sports-goer can be intimidating. To have the best and most stress-free experience at a UCSB sports game, I recommend you follow these four simple steps:

1. Find what sports interest you. While UCSB is known for their soccer team (and I highly recommend going to at least one soccer game), there are a multitude of other sports UCSB has to offer that may pique your interest. From volleyball to basketball to water polo, sports events are happening all the time on campus. To find these events, I recommend checking out UCSB's Athletics Page which provides updates on previous games, future games and general sports information.

2. Claim tickets. Once you have found a game you want to attend, you then need tickets. Most game tickets are completely free to students but can sometimes be limited in seats. The easiest way to claim these free tickets (and ensure you are able to get a seat) is to download the UCSB Gaucho Gameday app and create a free account. While the app can be difficult to navigate, the “Buy Tickets Now” tab under the Home Page of the app will link you to the appropriate place to purchase or claim tickets. In addition to tickets, this app provides live UCSB game score updates and reminders when a game is about to start so you never miss out.

3. Come prepared. You have a game you want to attend and you have your tickets… but you are not sure what to bring? Some important things include:

   1. A jacket or warm clothes. Sports games usually occur at night so it is always a good idea to dress aptly for cold weather. This is especially important for games in outdoor stadiums, such as Soccer or Water Polo. To show some school spirit, I recommend wearing UCSB merchandise to the game or at the very least, blue and yellow.

   2. Your student ID. While the new Gaucho Gameday app seems to be phasing out the need for student ID cards at sporting events, it is still a good idea to bring yours with you, especially if you are still living in the dorms so you could easily grab a late night meal at DLG after the game.

   3. Contraband. While technically tortillas and other outside food items are not allowed at sporting events, it is a long-standing UCSB tradition to throw tortillas at Soccer games. If you were to sneak them in, which for legal reasons I do not officially support, I would recommend slipping them underneath a sweatshirt. Make sure to get the smaller, corn tortillas (not the flour ones) because they can be thrown farther. Tortilla throws are reserved for when the UCSB team scores and should not be thrown at other times, as is tradition.

4. Seating. Depending on the game you attend, seating options will vary. My personal recommendation is to find the Gaucho Locos and sit near them. The Gaucho Locos are a group of individuals who attend nearly every UCSB game to cheer on their team (simultaneously heckling their adversaries). As someone who does not understand the rules of most sports games, I have the most fun at games joining the Locos in chants and choose to sit with them. If you would prefer to be inconspicuous when watching sports games, then I would recommend sitting as far away from the Locos as possible. While it depends on the stadium, there are always plenty of seats away from the Locos if you want to closely watch the game or feel uneasy near a louder crowd of people.

This step-by-step guide should help to alleviate any anxieties or apprehension you may have about attending sports games so that you can make the most of your college experience. For someone who wants to get involved in campus culture or is an avid sports fan, this how-to guide should help you to feel confident about navigating future UCSB sporting events.

Cover image: https://flickr.com/photos/37695693@N05/28894