Bill Plaschke recalls his most memorable moments inside 100-year-old L.A. Coliseum

LOS ANGELES — All hail the glorious Coliseum, all praise the centennial birthday of the Los Angeles landmark that has hosted a century's worth of world-renowned athletes.

Like, strippers in an end zone hot tub.

The year was 2001, and the fledgling XFL's Los Angeles Xtreme were attempting to entice fans by promising they could watch games from an end zone hot tub located below the famed Coliseum peristyle.

Ever the dutiful reporter, I showed up at the Xtreme's home opener to interview any hearty souls who wanted to watch professional football in 45-degree temperatures while sitting soaking wet in their bathing suits.

Turns out, there were only three.

Cindy, Shanna and Roberta.

Earlier that afternoon, correctly concerned that no real fan would take advantage of their bubbling promotion, an Xtreme employee phoned the Spearmint Rhino gentleman's club with a request.

"Get us three strippers down here, and fast."

So that's how the end zone became populated with pole dancers, the toughest athletes in the house, three women who spent four quarters basking in bikinis