TRACK AND FIELD : USC-UCLA Meet Has New Look

Until two decades ago, it was more difficult to obtain tickets for the USC-UCLA track and field dual meet when it was held at the Bruins’ 12,100-seat Drake Stadium than for a Laker playoff game, and it was not unheard of for crowds at the Coliseum when the Trojans were the home team to reach 30,000.

Fast forward to 1994, when the meet at Drake Stadium attracted fewer than 1,500 fans. Recent crowds at the Coliseum--before the track was removed two years ago--were smaller than the cleanup crews for Raider games.

In an attempt to revive enthusiasm for Saturday’s 62nd annual meeting between the traditional NCAA powers, the Trojans’ new director of track and field, Ron Allice, is promoting the meet as never before, bringing in Olympic champions such as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Gail Devers, Quincy Watts and Kevin Young to compete in invitational events and moving the meet on campus at USC for the first time.

Optimistic that the considerably smaller number of tickets available will create demand, Allice has added 1,300 portable seats to the 1,500 permanently at Cromwell Field.

“The portable seats each cost $4.50, and we’re charging only $4 admission for adults and $2 for students and children, and parking is free, so it’s obvious we’re not doing this for the money,” Allice said. “We’re just trying to get some fans back.”

There are numerous reasons why they left, including the increasing popularity of other sports.

At the same time, NCAA scholarship cuts have made it more difficult for universities to field representative dual-meet teams. USC invited a third team, Brigham Young, to participate Saturday to fill the lanes, although the Cougars’ points will not count.

Also, college track and field athletes no longer are the sport’s stars, having been supplanted by pros. USC-UCLA dual meets in some years ranked among the world’s best, with several athletes who would win Olympic medals.

Another factor is the time required for a track and field meet. This one begins at noon--10 a.m. if one goes to see the hammer throw at West L.A. Community College--and ends at 4:45 p.m., significantly longer than an NFL or NBA game.