The Bench

The central section of The Bench during a home game against Washington State on February 7, 2009.

The Bench is the student rooting section for the University of California men's basketball team. Located inside Haas Pavilion, The Bench holds up to 900 students who rowdily cheer on their California Golden Bears at home basketball games. Students who sit on The Bench receive an annual Bench t-shirt each year and continue to make Haas Pavilion one of the loudest basketball arenas in the Pacific Ten Conference [1]. The Bench prides itself on standing the entire game and ensuring that the arena is a hostile place for any opposing team to play [2].

History

Although exact dates are not known, the tradition of The Bench was drastically changed in October 2000 when renovations on Haas Pavilion were completed and put a row of portable chairs between the student section and the court. University officials called the move necessary for the protection of referees and players, but students were angry at the move because it further removed them from the action [3].

Heckling tactics

• The Victoria Prank - On March 4, 2006, The Bench undertook one of the most elaborate and successful basketball pranks in all of NCAA history. Weeks before the game between USC and Cal began, a number of members of The Bench and the UC Rally Committee began instant message conversations USC's star Gabe Pruitt [4]. The Cal students posed as a UCLA coed named "Victoria" and convinced Pruitt to send pictures, phone numbers, and make a date after the game. During the game, The Bench began chanting "VIC-TOR-IA, VIC-TOR-IA" and completely destroyed Gabe Pruitt's game [5]. He ended up shooting a dismal 3 for 13 from the field [6].

• The Bench has become infamous for its "(Un)official Guide to Heckling," which is a student produced profile of the opposing team. The Guide highlights interests, facts, or other things that can easily be used to heckle the opposing team.

References

• The Daily Cal
• Cal Athletics
• Sports Illustrated