Fans hope it's not tail end of tailgating era

They savor Rose Bowl flavor before Bruins' possible last game there

- BY BEN BOLCH

ERIC THAYER Los Angeles Times "THIS is my favorite thing to do," tailgater Ross Niederhaus said before Saturday's game.

The nostalgia hit Ross Niederhaus in the grocery store as he stocked up for what might be his last Rose Bowl tailgate.

This has been nearly a lifelong tradition for the native of Linda Vista, starting in 2005 when he was 8 years old and UCLA romped over Oregon State. When he got his driver's license in 2012, Niederhaus started throwing his own tailgates, bringing chicken in a biscuit crackers because he couldn't afford fancier fare.

He was back Saturday afternoon underneath a tent on the grass in Lot H, wearing his favorite No. 2 Eric McNeal jersey, possibly here for the last time as the Bruins contemplate whether they will remain at the place they have called home since 1982 or move to SoFi Stadium for the 2026 season.

"I wish we knew whether or not this was the last time," Niederhaus said, "because if this was the last time for sure I could at least be saying my goodbyes to my favorite tradition. This is my favorite thing to do. My ashes are willed to be spread at the Rose Bowl."

On the other side of the stadium, on the sprawling Brookside Golf Course, Nicholaus Iamaleava was prepping his pregame tailgate below four tents alongside his brother Matt, the siblings expecting about 60 family members to indulge in a potluck spread of burgers, hot dogs, wings, fries, hot links, sushi and fried rice.