UCLA Men's Rowing is set to face off against crosstown rival USC this Saturday at home in Marina Del Rey. The #3 ranked Bruin varsity 8 will race the unranked Trojans and look to reinforce their grip on the Hillen Cup. This annual showdown not only fuels the longstanding crosstown rivalry, which UCLA has dominated, but also serves as a critical mid-season assessment for both.

UCLA Head Coach Marcel Stiffey emphasized the importance of the upcoming race, stating, "We've had this race circled on the calendar to see the progress we've made since the San Diego Crew Classic. The team has really come together in an intense training environment."​ UCLA was the top ACRA crew in San Diego and finished 5th behind IRA schools in the 8 boat Cal Cup grand final. The USC top boat missed the grand final and finished second in the petite final.

USC's men's rowing program is navigating a period of transition. The Trojans have recently appointed John Wojtkiewicz as their new head coach for the 2024-2025 season. The Trojans are aiming to build upon their recent achievements, including a notable performance at the 2024 ACRA National Championships, where their Novice 8+ made the grand final, and their Varsity 2- secured a gold medal for the first time in program history.

The Hillen Cup is named for Bob Hillen ('39), a former UCLA coxswain and coach. He was instrumental in helping establish USC's men's rowing program in 1948 and moved from UCLA to be the Trojan head coach from 1949 to 1990.

Racing begins at 9:30 AM at the Marina Aquatic Center at 14001 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey