The Battle of the Bell Goes Silent
Valley College dominated the battle for the victory bell, holding onto the prize for the past 11 years. The end of Pierce’s football program brings a close to the Pierce-Valley rivalry game.
By James Archer, Staff Writer
For the first time in 60 years, the fight for the victory bell has fallen silent as Pierce College ended its football program over the summer. It brought an end to the valley’s biggest rivalry game, between the Brahmas and the Monarchs.
Valley has had a decade-long reign over the trophy with this year counting for its eleventh with a victory by default.
Similar to the famed USC and UCLA rivalry for their own victory bell, the San Fernando Valley has its own decades-long tradition. Since 1965 Pierce College and Valley College have held their own battle of the valley.
Pierce placed their 2026 football season on a hiatus August 6, a few weeks before school started.
According to a press release by Pierce's athletics, “the roster had not reached the size needed for the team to participate safely throughout the season.”
“If you’re going to have football at this level, I believe you must have a full time coach,” said Valley’s Athletic Director Dave Mallas. “The Victory Bell game is always the highlight of the year, and something special to come to and hear that bell ring, see it at the 50 yard line,” Mallas said. “It was pretty special.”
Mallas added that a few of Pierce’s players made their way to Valley.
“You feel bad for them and as much as rivals as they are, like it comes down to, it's still a game, it's still a college experience,” Mallas said. “We respect each other. We respect everyone in college athletics. And so under the circumstances, as much as we hate the red and black, we welcome them in this situation, you know, because that was the right thing to do.”
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