A group of UCLA fans sat around the Bruin Bear the week of Nov. 17, guarding the statue from any intruding Trojans.

These students – members of the Bruin student section formally known as The Den – take pride in their role upholding UCLA traditions and supporting UCLA Athletics, said Liam Jenny, the director of game day operations for The Den and a third-year atmospheric and oceanic studies and political science student. The Den can be seen dancing in the stands during women’s gymnastics meets, chanting “Whoosh!” at free throws during men’s basketball or even holding up a two-fingered “V” for victory after football games at the Rose Bowl.

With UCLA Athletics switching to the Big Ten, the UCLA student section is not changing tactics nor losing energy, Jenny said.

“I’m very excited to join the Big Ten,” Jenny said. “We’ve got new competition, we’ve got more media attention, and I think it overall will be beneficial for the program.”

The Den, in coordination with UCLA Athletics, has created “Club Rose” at the Rose Bowl, a new safe-standing section directly behind the opposing bench. Jenny said the shift of the physical location of the student section in the Rose Bowl was an especially exciting change, adding to fan energy at the games.

“We’re not tucked away on one of the end zones like other schools,” Jenny said. “We are right there on the 50 making a name for ourselves.”

Jenny said Den members plan to show the same support at Big Ten games as they did in the Pac-12 – by being the loudest, most energetic fans who continue game day traditions, no matter what sport.

One example of a classic tradition is chanting, “Airball! Airball! Airball!” during basketball games after an opposing player who has taken a shot that did not make a basket or touch the frame gets the basketball again, said May Raymond, a second-year political science student and member of The Den.

This chant was heard echoing around Pauley Pavilion during a men’s basketball game against Lehigh earlier this season. Other UCLA fans were quick to meet The Den’s energy, she added.

“At one point I looked back, and everyone was doing it,” Raymond said. “That was super cool to witness.”

The Den has a larger role outside cheering on game days too, with many committees working to make sporting events worthwhile for the UCLA community, Raymond said.

The Den’s writing subteam spends time creating “The Dirt,” a flyer passed out at games consisting of both digs at opponents and game day information before football and basketball games, Raymond said. Game day committee members learn customs for each specific sport, including gymnastics floor routines to follow along with UCLA gymnasts during meets.

Den members also prepare the student section at the Rose Bowl, arriving six hours before each game to decorate seating, set up stands and tailgate, said Lauren Hession, a member of The Den’s internal affairs committee.

Protecting the Bruin Bear during Beat ‘SC week was part of these extended duties, added Hession, a third-year geography/environmental studies student.

Den members participate in the “Bruin Bear Security Force” during Beat ‘SC week, guarding the statue from any mischievous USC students who sneak their way onto campus, said Jenny. The tradition has been happening for 40 years and is an important part of representing the student body, he added.

From midnight to 5 a.m., Den members watch over the statue each day, Jenny said. Members also spend the early morning hours playing cards, joking with one another and playing pickup games of kickball and capture the flag while keeping watch.

Under Time, Place and Manner policies, from midnight to 6 a.m., campus walkways and lawns are closed to students except for the purposes of walking to or from a university building, crossing campus grounds or as part of a major event. However, in a written statement, Jenny said The Den worked with campus administration to get compliance on the Beat ‘SC week campout, so the event was allowed to happen.

[Related: UCLA announces new Time, Place, and Manner policies, limits public expression activities]

The task allows the dedication of the UCLA student section to shine through, Jenny said.

“This is college,” he said. “I’m sitting outside of a box at 3 a.m., deliriously trying to study for my midterm tomorrow because I need to defend this statue – because it means so much to me.”