UCLA student prefers Tommy Trojan

Friday, November 22, 1996

Loyal Bruins can’t bear their classmate’s antics, which include
dressing up as the enemy during "Beat $C" week.By Michelle
Navarro

Daily Bruin Contributor

Every year, as the UCLA Alumni Band strikes up "The Sons of
Westwood" and flames playfully dance as they surround Tommy Trojan
at the annual "Beat $C" bonfire, devilish grins spread across the
faces of students gathered around the staked effigy ­ until
Mark Dieffenbacher makes his entrance, causing heads to turn.

For the past three years, Dieffenbacher, a fourth-year
pre-cognitive science student, has broken the unwritten UCLA law,
done the forbidden, committed the worst Bruin sin ­ he has
worn a USC T-shirt during "Beat $C" week.

How could a member of the blue and gold family do such a thing?
It all began when Dieffenbacher was introduced to feminism while
attending UCLA’s Freshman Summer Program.

"I took a Women’s Studies class and became a feminist," he said.
"My teaching assistant talked about a professor who would
cross-dress to make a statement."

Intrigued with the idea, Dieffenbacher said he then went on to
cross-dress three times on campus.

"The first time, I dressed in this gaudy gold, velvet dress with
white stockings, make-up and jewelry. I got the regular stares and
everyone asked me why I was doing it," said Dieffenbacher.

He answered by telling students he was trying to communicate to
others that there isn’t such a thing as a dress code for females
and males. He wanted to encourage nonconformity.

An opportunity to carry his statement further arose when he
walked onto campus wearing a USC T-shirt.

"I didn’t know about the rivalry between the two schools," he
said. "Someone said something to me like ‘You’re not going to wake
up tomorrow’ and I had no idea why he said that."

Back at his dorm shortly afterward, Dieffenbacher said he told
others what happened and they candidly explained he could "get his
ass kicked wearing that shirt."

Shocked at the violence that arose from wearing a USC T-shirt,
Dieffenbacher devised another way to make a statement.

He purchased more USC shirts and added red and gold face paint
for the finishing touches of his offensive garb, assuming the
identity of a Trojan fan every day of "Beat $C" week.

"The most memorable moment was the bonfire," Dieffenbacher said
of his freshman year experience. "People were yelling and throwing
things. Someone on the stage said, ‘Get that guy out of there’ and
all of a sudden I was lifted up by a bunch of guys. Something like
Sprite was poured all over me. I went back afterwards, but nothing
else happened."

Dieffenbacher said he was more nervous than scared, adding that
while he didn’t think anything too bad would happen, he expected a
pounding for exercising his right to dress in the dishonorable
outfit.

The following year, Dieffenbacher said someone he thought was
drunk tried to drag him out, telling him he didn’t belong
there.

"Some guy came out of nowhere and told (the drunk) to let go of
me, that I could stay there. The drunk guy finally let go. It was
surprising that someone stuck up for me. I think he stayed behind
me for the rest of the bonfire," he said.

Last year, Dieffenbacher only dressed up three days out of "Beat
$C" week, and, again, it was at the bonfire that he experienced the
worst reactions.

"A football player threw a Trojan condom at me," he laughed. "It
was wrapped up. That was considerate of him," he added shaking his
head.

A student approached him and warned that he shouldn’t be there
and that he should leave. Dieffenbacher said he thanked him and
told him he would stay anyway.

Dieffenbacher believes it is important for people to see others
break the norms and traditions of society, even if breaking those
traditions means offending school spirit.

"I’m not protesting anything," he said. "I’m using the rally as
a tool to make this illustration of nonconformity. Hopefully
they’ll see this one person is going against the others and it will
encourage them to do something significant with that or with
whatever they want to apply it to. If I can reach a couple of
people, then I’ll be happy."

Second-year "Beat $C" rally committee member Tim McGrath objects
to Dieffenbacher’s use of the bonfire to leave his mark.

"In general, I think it’s a good statement. But the bonfire is
where we’re trying to unite everyone against the common enemy. It
is a unique example when people should unite and conform," McGrath
said.

Dieffenbacher admits he’s been discouraged over the years as to
whether his message is getting across. He says he even debates with
himself over whether or not his actions have any meaning or if they
are even worth the effort.

Robin Aguilar, president of the Student Alumni Association
(SAA), doesn’t think that the presentation fits the message. "It’s
not very creative. If he wants to illustrate nonconformity, maybe
he should run naked through the federal building."

Similar reactions have made Dieffenbacher reconsider the
importance of his demonstration. But in the end, he says, he
convinces himself that because it is something odd and different,
there must be some meaning. Not to mention the fact that he’s
having fun.

"Half of what I do is just for the mere pleasure of going
against the grain for a few minutes," he said. "The other half goes
to be a kind of role model. I would hope people look at what I’m
doing and take it to another level."

KRIS FALLON

Andor Gyulai, a third-year business economics student, shows how
he feels about USC on Wednesday during Beat $C Week
festivities.