In preparation for Super Bowl XXXVII, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrived at UCSD on Jan. 22 and will spend the days leading up to Sunday’s game practicing at the Spanos Training Facility, the track and field area and RIMAC Field.

The National Football Conference champions’ arrival brings to North Campus a security force consisting of San Diego Police Department officers and private guards hired by the National Football League.

SDPD officer S. Jones says he doesn’t expect any trouble.

“”This is routine,”” he said, though he would not elaborate on how many officers would be present at the practices, which are closed to the public.

Automobile traffic on Northpoint Lane has been shut down from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week, though bike traffic is still permitted all day, CSC security guard Jorje Balomares said. Lot 359, which contains 51 “”S”” spots and five meters, is also off limits until Jan. 25, according to Transportation and Parking Services senior clerk Christine Van Ryck.

Security guards are stationed around RIMAC Field and the track and field area, preventing passersby from watching the Buccaneers prepare for Sunday’s game.

The athletic facilities being used by the Buccaneers were leased by the NFL months in advance, according to spokesman Dan Masonson.

“”The facilities and fields at UCSD met our needs,”” Masonson said. “”They are among the best in the country. We’ve used them before [for Super Bowl XXXII] and were very successful.””

Earl Warren College junior Nema Zohrahvand found the NFL’s choice of UCSD “”ironic.””

“”You’d think the NFL would want a school that was dedicated to football,”” he said. “”But La Jolla is upscale, so I’m sure the players want to stay there. It’s about convenience.””

About 40 people — mostly UCSD students — stood on the corner of Hopkins Drive and Northpoint Lane on Wednesday afternoon and cheered as the Buccaneers’ motorcade drove onto campus.

Brandon Dumas, age 8, was there with his father, both of them wearing red Buccaneers T-shirts. When asked why he was there, Brandon said, “”To watch the Bucs win.””

Zohrahvand waited for a half hour to see the players pass by.

“”It’s very cool that [the Buccaneers] are here,”” he said. “”Even though I’m a huge [Oakland] Raiders fan, I want to see the Buccaneers.”” He expressed interest in seeing Tampa Bay coach John Gruden “”because that’s the big thing, the old guys.””

Though many UCSD students and San Diego residents are originally from Northern California, Jones brushed off concerns about Raiders fans — demonized by much of the San Diego media as troublemakers.

“”It’s unfortunate that the Raiders, which are a very professional organization in my experience, are getting bad hype because of a few bad fans,”” Jones said. “”I do not see Raiders fans coming [to UCSD] and crashing.””

Ian Flannigan, a lifelong La Jolla resident wearing a San Diego Chargers sweatshirt, said he also wasn’t worried about problems from Raiders fans at UCSD.

“”Raiders fans don’t go to college, they go to reform school,”” he said.

The Super Bowl will be held on Sunday at 3:18 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium. Tickets are sold out.By CLAIRE J. VANNETTE

Senior Staff Writer

In preparation for Super Bowl XXXVII, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrived at UCSD on Jan. 22 and will spend the days leading up to Sunday’s game practicing at the Spanos Training Facility, the track and field area and RIMAC Field.

The National Football Conference champions’ arrival brings to North Campus a security force consisting of San Diego Police Department officers and private guards hired by the National Football League.

SDPD officer S. Jones says he doesn’t expect any trouble.

“”This is routine,”” he said, though he would not elaborate on how many officers would be present at the practices, which are closed to the public.

Automobile traffic on Northpoint Lane has been shut down from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week, though bike traffic is still permitted all day, CSC security guard Jorje Balomares said. Lot 359, which contains 51 “”S”” spots and five meters, is also off limits until Jan. 25, according to Transportation and Parking Services senior clerk Christine Van Ryck.

Security guards are stationed around RIMAC Field and the track and field area, preventing passersby from watching the Buccaneers prepare for Sunday’s game.

The athletic facilities being used by the Buccaneers were leased by the NFL months in advance, according to spokesman Dan Masonson.

“”The facilities and fields at UCSD met our needs,”” Masonson said. “”They are among the best in the country. We’ve used them before [for Super Bowl XXXII] and were very successful.””

Earl Warren College junior Nema Zohrahvand found the NFL’s choice of UCSD “”ironic.””

“”You’d think the NFL would want a school that was dedicated to football,”” he said. “”But La Jolla is upscale, so I’m sure the players want to stay there. It’s about convenience.””

About 40 people — mostly UCSD students — stood on the corner of Hopkins Drive and Northpoint Lane on Wednesday afternoon and cheered as the Buccaneers’ motorcade drove onto campus.

Brandon Dumas, age 8, was there with his father, both of them wearing red Buccaneers T-shirts. When asked why he was there, Brandon said, “”To watch the Bucs win.””

Zohrahvand waited for a half hour to see the players pass by.

“”It’s very cool that [the Buccaneers] are here,”” he said. “”Even though I’m a huge [Oakland] Raiders fan, I want to see the Buccaneers.”” He expressed interest in seeing Tampa Bay coach John Gruden “”because that’s the big thing, the old guys.””

Though many UCSD students and San Diego residents are originally from Northern California, Jones brushed off concerns about Raiders fans — demonized by much of the San Diego media as troublemakers.

“”It’s unfortunate that the Raiders, which are a very professional organization in my experience, are getting bad hype because of a few bad fans,”” Jones said. “”I do not see Raiders fans coming [to UCSD] and crashing.””

Ian Flannigan, a lifelong La Jolla resident wearing a San Diego Chargers sweatshirt, said he also wasn’t worried about problems from Raiders fans at UCSD.

“”Raiders fans don’t go to college, they go to reform school,”” he said.

The Super Bowl will be held on Sunday at 3:18 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium. Tickets are sold out.