Zilo Network’s Games look to fuel extreme crosstown rivalry

By Greg Schain
Daily Bruin Contributor

With the crosstown rivalry football game just two weeks in the
past, Zilo Networks’ Extreme Team College Games offers both
Bruins and Trojans another opportunity to fight for the pride of
the city. This Friday at 2 p.m., the Extreme Team College Games
will open at USC’s Hahn Plaza and will make a stop in
Westwood in the spring.

The Extreme Team College Games have been traveling to different
colleges throughout the country since last spring and are a way to
introduce students to extreme sports, according to Monica Jara,
publicist for Zilo’s project.

Extreme sports are rapidly increasing in popularity throughout
the country, especially among younger demographics. The college vs.
college format used in the competition allows for rivalries to
develop in these new sports.

Zilo Networks, a subsidiary of Jensen Communications, is an
entertainment network designed specifically for broadband users.
They started the Extreme Team College Games last April at Emory
University and are in the process of expanding the program to 20
other college campuses this fall.

Eventually, the results from these local competitions will lead
to four regional champions and one national champion.

The Extreme games offer students the chance to take part in
unusual sports that they don’t have frequent opportunities to
participate in. Among the featured events are a 25 ft. high wall
climb, Aggressive Inline Skating, Mountainboard Bordercross, Dyno
Lunging and 24-hour Mountain Bike Racing.

All UCLA students, regardless of skill level or experience, can
participate by registering at www.zilo.com and following the links
to the Extreme Team College Games at USC. And according to Jara,
Friday’s wall climbing events are a taste test for what will
be featured when Zilo visits UCLA in the spring.

All UCLA students are encouraged to participate.

“We would like all UCLA students to show up,” Jara
said.

In addition to offering a challenge, the extreme games offer
another arena for the Bruin and Trojan rivalry.

Prizes range from cash or a Cybiko wireless entertainment system
to a high-tech Boblebee backpack.

Airing on both Zilo TV, a college television network with 200
cable affiliates and a two million-subscriber base and on
Zilo’s broadband Internet network at www.zilo.com, the broadcast will allow
students from across the country to view themselves and fellow
students in competition.