In Game
The magic of a Cal Golden Bears game doesn’t stop at the tailgate as the fans at Memorial Stadium provide a great atmosphere that makes every game a one of a kind experience. One of the reasons Cal has such strong local support is the location of the student section. Unlike many other college football stadiums, Cal placed their student section and the Cal Band right at the 50-yard line. The central location of the band and student sections means you’ll be able to hear the chants and cheers regardless of where you’re sitting in the stadium.
If you’re looking to watch a game in style, then Cal’s got you covered. California Memorial Stadium offers some of the most scenic club seats you could ever imagine, which provide an excellent view of the Bay Area and downtown Berkley. The club levels were renovated recently, so you can be the first of your friends to experience a Cal game in these new luxurious club seats.
Lastly, it should be noted that it’s in your best interest to avoid wearing red when attending a Golden Bears game. Cal fans are merciless to those seen in red, so if you want to avoid the harassment, I suggest wearing something in a nice Berkley blue.
Things to check out
Tightwad Hill
One of the most unique aspects of attending a Golden Bears football game is Tightwad Hill. Tightwad Hill, or Charter Hill as it’s official known, allows you the opportunity to view the game for free. It’s a great spot to go if you can’t get tickets and even if you can check it out as it's one of the most unique spots in all of college football.
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Bear Territory Legacy Wall
The historic wall displays ceramic tiles honoring those who have donated to Cal Athletics. It’s a great thing to show off to your friends and family as well as great way to show them how much the Golden Bears mean to you.
Cal Athletics Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame is located on the first floor of the west side of the California Memorial Stadium. Here you’ll find enshrinements to all the greatest athletes in Cal history as well as artifacts from Cal athletics over the years. Make sure to stop by the Hall of Fame to relive some of the greatest moments in Cal history.
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The Big "C"
The Big “C” is located on Charter Hill and overlooks Memorial Stadium. The “C” was constructed in 1905 by the classes of 1907 and ’08 and over the years has become a significant symbol of the University appearing in several school songs.
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California Victory Cannon
The cannon was presented to the Rally Committee in time for the 1963 Big Game. The cannon’s fire accompanies fans cheers before each home game as well as after every Cal score and victory. The cannon is mounted on Tightwad Hill above Memorial Stadium, so make the trek up the hill to see both the cannon as well as get a great view of the game.
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Cal Band
The University of California Marching Band has over 20 fight songs that they perform at the home games of the Golden Bears! The most famous of the fight songs is “Big C” and has been popular among Cal students and alum for a long time.
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Oski
Oski has been the Golden Bears mascot since 1941. He is named after the “Oski Wow-Wow” yell and is prominent in many Cal school songs. During games Oski entertains the fans, so keep your eyes peeled for him as you’ll never know what kind of shenanigans he’ll get into.
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Blue and Gold
The official colors of the University of California that were established at Berkeley in 1868. These colors were picked by the University’s founders, and they were mostly Yale men that came to the West. Gold was selected to represent the “Golden State” of California, and Yale blue was also chosen.
Fight Songs
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Hail to California
Hail to California,
Alma Mater dear;
Sing the joyful chorus,
Sound it far and near.
Rallying round her banner,
We will never fail;
California, Alma Mater,
Hail! Hail! Hail!
Hail to California,
Queen in whom we’re blest;
Spreading light and goodness
Over all the West.
Fighting ‘neath her standard,
We shall sure prevail;
California, Alma Mater,
Hail! Hail! Hail!
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Big 'C'
The Big C traditionally is the first song of the pregame that the band marches and performs. It’s one of the most famous but most controversial Cal song, mostly because of copyright arguments between the Cal and UCLA bands.
On our rugged eastern foothills
Stands our symbol clear and bold
Big C means to fight and strive
And win for Blue and Gold
Golden Bear is ever watching
Day by day he prowls
And when he hears the tread
Of lowly Stanford red
From his lair he fiercely growls
Grr-ah! Grr-ah! Grrrrr—ah!
We are sons of California
Fighting for the Gold and Blue
Palms of glory we will win
For Alma Mater true
Stanford’s men will soon be routed
By our dazzling “C”
And when we serpentine
Their red will turn to green
In our hour of victory!
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Palms of Victory
What will we do to the Stanfurdites on that great day?
We’ll celebrate them on that night after we play!
We now declare our hoodoo’s gone, victory is here!
Hit ‘em again boys! Hit ‘em again boys, harder!
(Chorus)
Palms of victory, Palms of glory
Palms of victory we shall win
For Cali-California!
Palms of victory, Palms of glory,
Palms of victory we shall win!
How do you think we’ll feel that night? Anything but cross!
What’ll the red shirts have to say after their loss?
Fill then a bumper to the brim, for we have won!
Do it again, boys! Do it again boys, often!
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Fight for California
Fight for Californiais performed whenever the Cal football team enters the field, after every score, and whenever the Straw Hat Band marches into a performance. It was traditionally the fourth song of the Cal Band’s pregame.
Our sturdy Golden Bear,
Is watching from the skies,
Looks down upon our colors fair,
And guards us from his lair.
Our banner Gold and Blue,
The symbol on it too,
Means FIGHT! for California.
For California through and through!
Stalwarts girded for the fray,
Will strive for victory,
Their all at Mater’s feet will lay,
That brain and brawn will win the day.
Our mighty sons and true
Will strive for us anew,
And FIGHT! for California,
For California through and through!
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Sons of California
We’re Sons of California,
A loyal company,
All shout for California
While we strive for victory.
All sing the joyful chorus
As her colors we unfold
Then, Hurrah! for California,
And for the Blue and Gold.
(Yell the Chorus:)
Hit it!
C !
A !
L !
I !
F O R !
N I A !
California!
California!
Californnnnnia!
We’ll yell for California,
Dear Mother of us all.
We’ll fight for California
Till the crimson banners fall.
And raise the joyful chorus,
As her colors we unfold.
For we’ll win for California,
And for the Blue and Gold.
We’re Sons of California,
Fair mistress of the sea.
And we’ll win for California,
Her glorious destiny.
Then raise the joyful chorus,
As her colors we unfold.
For we’ll win for California,
And for the Blue and Gold.
(Chorus) -
All Hail Blue and Gold
All Hail Blue and Gold,
Thy colors unfold
O’er loyal Californians,
Whose hearts are strong and bold.
All Hail Blue and Gold,
Thy strength ne’er shall fail;
For thee we’ll die,
All Hail! All Hail!
All Hail Blue and Gold,
To thee we shall cling;
O’er golden fields of poppies,
Thy praises we shall sing.
All Hail Blue and Gold,
On Breezes ye sail;
Thy sight we love!
All Hail! All Hail!
