Thousands of ASU students, pig camp overnight for UCLA tickets
Sep 25, 2014, 11:50 AM | Updated: 11:51 am
TEMPE, Ariz. — Thousands of ASU students and a pig camped outside of Wells Fargo Arena, located in the shadow of Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe this week, in an effort to get tickets to the UCLA-ASU football game.
Tents, sleeping bags and folding chairs littered the concrete as students eagerly awaited the opportunity to acquire the best seats the student section can offer. Some students camped out four days in advance.
“Camp Fargo” as it is being called, may seem crazy, but it is teaching two very valuable qualities — trust and companionship.
The students still go to class while someone watches their belongings. The only “rule” is everyone must return to their air mattress or sleeping bag each night to keep their spot in line. When they return each night, there is plenty to do.
On Monday night, about 10 students gathered around a flat-screen TV to watch Monday Night Football, a game that included a former ASU great, defensive tackle Will Sutton.
However, it was not just humans getting in on the fun.
Murphy the pig spent a night outside Wells Fargo Arena, gobbling up an entire pizza and a whole jar of pickles. Students did everything from petting Murphy to using him as a pillow.
When the game itself gets underway, football fans and Tempe residents should expect fewer fireworks than a typical Saturday night game. ASU and Federal Aviation Administration officials at Sky Harbor Airport have come to an agreement that permits fireworks to be launched from the buttes surrounding Sun Devil Stadium during the National Anthem, when the ASU team runs out of Tillman Tunnel to begin the game and when the team returns to the field after halftime. Small pyrotechnics will be lit after each ASU score from the north and south loge roofs as well.
Sky Harbor officials were concerned that a prolonged or unpredictable fireworks show would cause significant airport delays.
During the game, the Arizona Highway Patrol Association will recognize four officers for their efforts in curbing gang activity and drug distribution near ASU’s and UCLA’s campuses. Captain Dave Nilson and Detective Aaron Lorenzen from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Sergeant Chaz Clements and Detective Mercedes Fortune from the Phoenix Police Department will be given awards.
Traffic in the Tempe area will be restricted due to the 7 p.m. game.
KTAR’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.
