NICOLE CHIN | layout & design editor

Questions arise about whether rivalry between APU and Biola is out of our claws.

As a true Southern California kid growing up in the suburbs of Pasadena, ever since birth I have bled Dodger blue. I had everything—T-shirts, batting gloves, mitts, baseball caps, trading cards, teddy bears and even favorite player buttons.

A favorite childhood tradition of mine, which exists even to this day, was the annual Dodgers/Giants rivalry game. My dad would get tickets from his uncle seated behind home plate, and we would cheer for Orel Hershiser and boo at Barry Bonds.

The Dodgers/Giants rivalry was just another aspect of life for me. Coming from a large family of athletes and sports gurus, competition has never been a stranger. My grandparents have a long running bet, depending on the outcome of the UCLA/USC Victory Bell, that either they or my god grandparents buy dinner the following weekend.

Let’s face it, the City of Angels has never been heavenly when it comes to athletic competition. Dodger fans are notorious for being vicious.

When accused steroid user Barry Bonds attempted to break Hank Aaron’s home run record at Dodger Stadium, two members of the Dodger team dressed as Bonds and as BALCO founder Victor Conte (the creator of the performing enhancing steroid supplement). Coincidentally, they were standing a few feet from Bond’s 8-year-old daughter Aisha in the Giant’s post-game waiting area.

But Bonds didn’t play a helpless victim to the Hollywood havoc. He understood the glorified Northern vs. Southern California rivalry.

Growing up in Los Angeles meant rivalry. Dodgers vs. Giants. Trojans vs. Bruins. Lakers vs. Celtics.

The APU vs. Biola rivalry is no different. In light of now not-so-recent events on Nov. 6, when Biola students drove by shouting profanities, and an unidentified male on our campus threw a rock at their car, along with the questionably unsportsmanlike chants at APU basketball games, the APU/Biola rivalry is scrutinized once again.

Granted, there are a few chants I really don’t understand. Even though it makes perfect sense why you would say, “Who cares?” after an opposing player is announced, what does surf naked have to do with anything? And “Get some?”

A few years ago, APU fans notoriously hassled former Cougar Spencer Foster after he traded claws for a pair of wings as Biola’s new superstar. Things like “Who needs Spencer?” were yelled as a crowd of more than 2,000 fans harassed the center.

Since then, Communiversity has improved positive morale at basketball games and increased game attendance giving us the Crazy Eight and that mysterious man in the hoodie and sunglasses.

And yet, some would say our conduct has still been “ungodly.” Last year, infamous Super Stu was thrown out of Biola for unsportsmanslike conduct in La Mirada. And no one has forgetten students’ “suck it” and “ride my pony” dance after APU blew out Biola at last year’s Blackout game.

Of course, Student Life could step in and discipline these unorthodox fans, but, really, are they that out of control?

When Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams’ book “Game of Shadows” was printed accusing Barry Bonds of using performance enhancers, a fan from the opposing team threw a needle-less syringe down onto left field at Bonds’ feet.

After the Lakers won their first NBA championship in 2000, fans celebrated by setting several vehicles on fire and smashing car windows. They also started bonfires in the streets, hurling rocks and bottles at police. Boston underwent the same turmoil when the Red Sox won the Pennant in 2004 and 2007.

When I was at the annual UCLA/USC game, every time USC had possession, Bruin students stood up and flipped the bird.

The rivalry we have with Biola isn’t out of control. It’s healthy. In fact, I think it’s pretty necessary for the authentic and ultimate sporting experience. Rivalry here is not chaotic or unmanaged.

I think it is unusual for a religious school, so we are quick to raise our eyebrows and judge. It’s easy to miss the context of rivalry and misread our animosity toward the Eagles as bad blood between cross-town universities. But really, it’s like spending time with a younger sibling.

Writer Kyle Gilbertson of Biola’s student newspaper, The Chimes, recently wrote an article entitled “APU and Biola: Why can’t we all just get along?”

In it he wrote, “Confusion turns to sadness as I think about all the missed opportunities, the lost friendships and influences, we have suffered due to this unnecessary disconnection.”

He discusses the friendships he has made with APU students and how he can feel God in this place just like back at Biola. He talks about our similar concerts, our similar ministries, and the easy 30-minute drive between campuses. He asks their readers why they aren’t better partners with APU?

“We have so many things in common,” Gilbertson writes. “It’s just a shame to see it all lost amidst a prideful, self-serving religious rivalry.”

I disagree, and it’s no disrespect to Mr. Gilbertson. Rivalry here has not killed relationships. One of my childhood best friends goes to Biola. Junior business marketing major Ryan Thomas, one of the Crazy Eight, came from a long line of Biola alums (his grandmother, his parents, and two older siblings), but instead chose to be a Cougar.

It has not damaged our view of Biola. We don’t hate the Eagles. We don’t use our mascot to knock down APU Ninjas, which Biola did during a skit at their Midnight Madness.

The truth is, rivalry is a fact of a sports life. And I don’t know where I’d be without it.

So if we can’t wear shirts saying “Biola sucks” then maybe we are taking away from the sporting experience here at APU. USC’s student body just came out with “Don’t Bruin your life.”

We have the No. 1 ranked athletic program in the NAIA—of course we are going to have people wanting to beat us, tease us and demean us. And if we didn’t, I’d be worried.