# East LA Classic

The East L.A. Classic, often referred to simply as "The Classic," is the annual homecoming football game between James A. Garfield High School (Bulldogs) and Theodore Roosevelt High School (Rough Riders), two of the oldest and most prominent educational institutions in the East Los Angeles area. The rivalry between the schools' dates back to their early foundations, with both institutions playing a pivotal role in shaping the region’s educational and athletic landscape. Since its inception in 1925, the East L.A. Classic has become one of the most celebrated and widely attended high school football games west of the Mississippi River. It is renowned not only for its intense competition but also for its cultural significance, drawing large crowds and fostering community pride. The game has been held annually, with notable exceptions during periods of historical hardship, including a hiatus from 1939 to 1948 due to the Great Depression and World War II, as well as in 2020, when the game was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the years, the growing fame and participation in the East L.A. Classic made it increasingly difficult to hold the game at the home fields of either participating school. The event attracts a global alumni base, routinely drawing crowds exceeding 25,000 attendees per game. For much of its history, the Classic has been hosted at Weingart Stadium, located on the campus of East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, California. In addition, the event was temporarily moved to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a few years before returning to its traditional venue at Weingart Stadium. However, with the increasing popularity and demand for larger venues, the 2024 edition of the East L.A. Classic was held at the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, adding a new layer of excitement and spectacle to the long-standing tradition. The name "Classic" was decided in 1971 by coaches from both schools (Al Chavez from Roosevelt, Vic Loya, and Ted Davis from Garfield).
On February 12, 2011, the historic rivalry between Garfield and Roosevelt High Schools held its first alumni football game, with Garfield emerging victorious, defeating Roosevelt 19-12. By 2016, the rivalry had gained even greater attention, with notable figures such as U.S. Senate candidate and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez attending the event. In that year, Garfield extended its dominance, securing a commanding 49-3 victory, marking their sixth consecutive win over Roosevelt. Billy McMillin’s debut documentary, The Classic, which chronicles the iconic football rivalry, was awarded the 2017 Storytelling Award at the LA Film Festival.
In the 85th installment of the rivalry in 2019, Garfield extended its dominance with a decisive 25-0 shutout victory over Roosevelt, marking their tenth consecutive win in the series. Roosevelt entered the game undefeated in league play. With this victory, Garfield took a 43-41 lead in the all-time series, which includes six ties. Before the game, Roosevelt head coach Aldo Parral openly expressed his satisfaction with Garfield's loss in the previous year's CIF State Division 4-A Bowl Game, while subtly suggesting that the Bulldogs' recent dominance in the rivalry could be attributed to their recruiting practices. In addition to the on-field competition, the rivalry has attracted support from major organizations such as the Los Angeles Rams and Nike. For the second consecutive year, these two entities partnered to donate jerseys, shoes, gloves, and other football equipment to both schools. Nike further deepened its involvement by hosting several events for the schools and extending its support to the cheerleading and drill teams of both Garfield and Roosevelt—an unprecedented gesture in the history of this storied rivalry.
The 2019 East L.A. Classic coincided with the theatrical release of The All-Americans, a 2014 documentary that highlights the challenges faced by student-athletes in the Boyle Heights and East L.A. areas. The film offers an in-depth portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of young athletes in a community marked by adversity and resilience. The Classic was canceled in 2020 due to the unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the Roosevelt Rough Riders achieved a thrilling victory over the Garfield Bulldogs, triumphing 22-19 in one of the most exhilarating contests in recent sports history. The game, marked by high tension and dramatic moments, culminated in a missed field goal attempt by the Bulldogs in the final seconds of regulation, which would have tied the game. This narrow escape allowed the Rough Riders to secure their first win in over a decade, breaking a ten-game losing streak against their fierce rivals. The win was met with immense celebration, as Roosevelt fans rushed from the stands and flooded the field, turning the event into a jubilant scene of triumph and euphoria. The historic nature of the victory was underscored by its significance within the context of the annual rivalry. The 86th edition of the East Los Angeles Classic, often referred to simply as the "Classic," lived up to its name, providing fans with an unforgettable display of competitive spirit, resilience, and school pride.
The 2022 East L.A. Classic returned to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 21, 2022, featuring a memorable halftime show by the Black Eyed Peas, who performed alongside drones. Helen Sanchez, the event's media coordinator, noted that will.i.am and the Angel Foundation held a pregame presentation prior to the varsity game. The pregame coin toss was overseen by Roosevelt alumnus Lynn Cain, a former running back for the Atlanta Falcons and will.i.am's uncle. On the field, Garfield emerged victorious with a 16-8 win over Roosevelt. Following the game, reports indicated that two cameras were stolen from the event. The 2022 classic game returned back to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 21, 2022, it featured former Super Bowl halftime performers the Black Eyed Peas with drones as part of the show. Helen Sanchez, the Classic’s media coordinator, said will.i.am and the Angel Foundation had a pregame presentation before the varsity game. Roosevelt alum Lynn Cain, a former running back for the Atlanta Falcons and will.i.am.'s uncle, oversaw the pregame coin toss. Garfield came out victorious with a 16-8 lead over Roosevelt. After the game, it was reported that 2 cameras were stolen. Both teams have won 41 games in the all-time series with six ties in 88 games as of the 88th meeting.
The 89th Annual East L.A. Classic took place at SoFi Stadium on October 25, 2024, featuring a historic football matchup between Theodore Roosevelt High School and James A. Garfield High School. For the second year, both schools’ Girls Flag Football teams competed before the main event. The game was presented by LA Bowl, hosted by Gronk, and supported by the Los Angeles Rams, marking a significant milestone for the East L.A. Classic. “We are thrilled to see this iconic football showdown kick-off in a stadium that is as grandiose as the school rivalry itself,” LAUSD School Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “These games exemplify the values of tradition, teamwork, and friendly competition, and having the East LA Classic at SoFi Stadium will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the teams, their fans, and our school communities.”