SBNation.com User Blog: Bruin Dad and Grad

Someone is doing something right

Bruin Dad and Grad — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:37:53 -0000

Wanted to make a comment or two about something someone is doing right to make the fan experience at games better (this should not be seen as a wider endorsement but just acknowledgement that some nice things are happening):

1. Someone decided to get serious about the National Anthems at the Men's basketball games. Flea for the opener at Pauley. But what I really like and think makes college activities special is that UCLA Music has been doing them lately. They have been fantastic. Violins. Trumpet. Saxophone (I think, could not see it). Congratulations to whoever came up with the idea. Really nice to see other parts of the UCLA community get highlighted and the movement away from NBA style experience.

2. Videos at the football and basketball games. Whether it is the 8-clap being done all over the world, the videos of a Bruin taking on silly renditions of our competitor's mascots, or last night's the 12 Days of Christmas, it is nice to see the creativity. More importantly, humanizing the players and exposing others from less popular sports is great.

3. The balance between the bands and piped in music at the football game against the Evil Empire: college sports is a better experience because of the hoopla that surrounds it. Too often this year, the Rose Bowl speakers have been filled with piped in music rather than letting the band perform. The balance was right at the final Rose Bowl game.

I would really encourage whoever is in charge of the entertainment around the football and men's basketball games to continue the trend: show us more and a wider slice of UCLA. Focus on the college experience rather than the unconnected feeling of professional sports. My 2 cents.

What I would hope Dan Guerrero is doing today

Bruin Dad and Grad — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:49:01 -0000

In his article today in Sports Illustrated on the Penn State situation, Howard Mandel he said:

"If anything positive can come of the Penn State scandal, it's this: Hopefully every coach, athletic director, president and administrator in the country read every page of Thursday's report and absorbed the horror of their counterparts' mistakes. Hopefully they paid particular attention to the group's 120 recommendations to avoid future such occurrences, some of which are unique to Penn State, but most of which would serve any university well."

Read more in the SI.com article here. As much as I want UCLA to win in sports, I want more for us to win with the right culture. And that is an institutional responsibility - in my mind the #1 priority for an AD at UCLA.

In his article today in Sports Illustrated on the Penn State situation, Howard Mandel he said:

"If anything positive can come of the Penn State scandal, it's this: Hopefully every coach, athletic director, president and administrator in the country read every page of Thursday's report and absorbed the horror of their counterparts' mistakes. Hopefully they paid particular attention to the group's 120 recommendations to avoid future such occurrences, some of which are unique to Penn State, but most of which would serve any university well."

Newest Word for DG: "Come Together"? Not until there is CHANGE!

Bruin Dad and Grad — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:13:45 -0000

Today's Word from Westwood:

Fellow Bruins:

I’d like to take a moment to address the article which appeared in this week’s Sports Illustrated concerning our men’s basketball program. You have been such a great supporter of UCLA Athletics, and I know that you may have questions.

I am disappointed that the alleged actions of a select few could cast doubts on all that is great about UCLA Athletics. At UCLA, we take very seriously anything that challenges our long-held values as an athletic department and as a university.

As a lifelong Bruin, I take enormous pride in the conduct of all of our coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Please be assured that the athletic administration on this campus continues to work tirelessly to ensure that all of our student-athletes take pride in what UCLA is about. Those of us fortunate enough to work with our student-athletes do everything in our power to make sure the values of UCLA Athletics are instilled in them each and every day.

Like many of you, my resolve to restore our program to its place among the nation’s elite has never been stronger.

I ask you to continue to support the young men and women who represent UCLA in their chosen sport every day. The Bruin family must now, more than ever, come together.

Thank you for your continued support of UCLA Athletics.

Today's Word from Westwood:

Fellow Bruins:

I’d like to take a moment to address the article which appeared in this week’s Sports Illustrated concerning our men’s basketball program. You have been such a great supporter of UCLA Athletics, and I know that you may have questions.

I am disappointed that the alleged actions of a select few could cast doubts on all that is great about UCLA Athletics. At UCLA, we take very seriously anything that challenges our long-held values as an athletic department and as a university.

As a lifelong Bruin, I take enormous pride in the conduct of all of our coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Please be assured that the athletic administration on this campus continues to work tirelessly to ensure that all of our student-athletes take pride in what UCLA is about. Those of us fortunate enough to work with our student-athletes do everything in our power to make sure the values of UCLA Athletics are instilled in them each and every day.

Like many of you, my resolve to restore our program to its place among the nation’s elite has never been stronger.

I ask you to continue to support the young men and women who represent UCLA in their chosen sport every day. The Bruin family must now, more than ever, come together.

Thank you for your continued support of UCLA Athletics.

Mora's Message on Accountabilty Should Also Include Academics

Bruin Dad and Grad — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:36:59 -0000

I loved Mora's message about the silly Over the Wall tradition. I was glad to see him speak out about accountability. But to me, the Over the Wall day was the lesser of two evils.

3 players were ruled academically ineligible for the Bowl Game. This is a bigger issue of accountability AND a bigger issue for those players futures. It is especially sad for a player that had come back from injuries, given up a red shirt and will not be able to play in the Bowl. There may have been some special circumstances but 3 players is speaks volumes.

This is still U.C.L.A.

Mora should be sending a loud, strong message to the players that: 1. Academics matter and 2. It is another issue of accountability.

I loved Mora's message about the silly Over the Wall tradition. I was glad to see him speak out about accountability. But to me, the Over the Wall day was the lesser of two evils.

This is still U.C.L.A.

Mora should be sending a loud, strong message to the players that: 1. Academics matter and 2. It is another issue of accountability.

Newest "Word from Westwood" from Dan G

Bruin Dad and Grad — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:09:07 -0000

I have copied only the revenue sport sections. Denial of rumors. No discussion of the challenges the basketball team faces. Will give him credit for recognizing the student athlete first.

Finals week.

There is no clearer reminder than those two words as to what our enterprise is all about. As members of the Bruin family, we all enjoy the great victories that our teams put together and suffer through the losses, but it is important to remember that, in the end, we are cheering for student-athletes. More of them are likely to be doctors or lawyers or successful business people than professional athletes.

So, as our student-athletes take their fall finals this week, I wanted to thank the academic support services unit that has worked so hard with each of them to get them ready. That said, I would be remiss if I didn’t wish all of the Bruins good luck in the classroom.

Without further ado, let’s take a finals week gaze at the athletic department …

Football, Part 1

I did mention last week that I will not be making any specific comments publicly on the search for a new head football coach, but I did want to thank all of you for your input and support in the process so far.

Now that the process is underway in earnest, I wanted to reiterate that most of what you have read or heard is nothing more than water cooler talk. In fact, in the past few days, there have been rumors about me supposedly traveling to some locations, speaking with certain coaches and eliminating others from consideration – nearly all of it not based in fact.

That said, I ask that you continue to be patient with us as we work diligently to find the best man for the job, and one that you will all be proud to welcome to the Bruin family.

Football, Part 2

I was certainly pleased with the effort of our team last Friday night against Oregon in the inaugural Pac-12 Championship Game. The conference did a fantastic job of putting on its first-ever championship football game, no easy task, especially at a home venue. It was a tremendous football environment, with the ever-present raucous Duck fans at their best.

I felt good about the determination of our players and coaching staff, both in their final preparations for the game as well as on the field. I also wanted to extend a special thank you to the Bruin fans who traveled to the Pacific Northwest to support our team.

We now turn our attention to Illinois in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on New Year’s Eve in San Francisco. Ticket information can be found here.

Bruin Road Show – Next Step Anaheim

After taking the week off from games due to finals, the men’s basketball team will play its first of four games this season at the Honda Center this Saturday afternoon against Penn. Having already seen how the folks at Citizens Business Bank Arena and the Sports Arena have rolled out the red carpet for us, I am eager to see our first game in Orange County.

I have copied only the revenue sport sections. Denial of rumors. No discussion of the challenges the basketball team faces. Will give him credit for recognizing the student athlete first.

Football, Part 1

Football, Part 2

Bruin Road Show – Next Step Anaheim

Can a UCLA student please tell me "it ain't so"

Bruin Dad and Grad — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:54:56 -0000

According to the LA Times the attendance at Monday's game was:

"An announced crowd of 3,885 that seemed less than half that number included a student section 34 strong." I had estimated 3,000 and 50 (not counting the pep band) in the game thread. Attendance is going to be a problem this year no doubt.

According to the official calendar, final's week is NEXT week. So that means there has to be another factor.

One source has told me that while there are buses to the game, the buses leave exclusively from Jackie Robinson stadium. That would mean that students have to figure out how to get to the stadium before they can take a bus to the game.

Please tell me the source is wrong. Please tell me that there are buses at the dorms, fraternities and sororities? Please tell me this aint so.

And, I would love some suggestions on how to get more students to the game.

BTW: Kudos to the students that were there, including the band. You all were loud and into the game.!

According to the LA Times the attendance at Monday's game was:

"An announced crowd of 3,885 that seemed less than half that number included a student section 34 strong." I had estimated 3,000 and 50 (not counting the pep band) in the game thread. Attendance is going to be a problem this year no doubt.

According to the official calendar, final's week is NEXT week. So that means there has to be another factor.

Please tell me the source is wrong. Please tell me that there are buses at the dorms, fraternities and sororities? Please tell me this aint so.

And, I would love some suggestions on how to get more students to the game.

BTW: Kudos to the students that were there, including the band. You all were loud and into the game.!

Email from Dan re RN and future search

Bruin Dad and Grad — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:51:07 -0000

The full text of the email from Dan Guerrero sent out today:

Members of the Bruin Family:

As many of you have surely heard by now, earlier today, I notified Rick Neuheisel and our football team that he had been relieved of his duties as UCLA head football coach.

Given that this is an unusually short week and the coaches have already begun the game plan and other preparations for Oregon, I have decided to let Rick coach us in the Pac-12 Championship Game this coming Friday night.

I subsequently named offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Mike Johnson our interim head coach, and he will coach us in whichever bowl we play in.

I am fully aware that a great number of you had been clamoring for this decision for quite some time, while just as many were fervent supporters of Rick. I want you to know that this was a difficult decision for me, primarily because Rick is an alumnus and bleeds Bruin Blue.

However, it became evident that a move had to be made in the best interest and in the short-term and long-term health of our program. Despite Rick’s efforts, the team’s performance was inconsistent throughout the year.

The full text of the email from Dan Guerrero sent out today:

As we embark on a national coaching search, I want to be clear about a few things:

• First and foremost, this will not be a public search; the only way to truly attract the best possible candidates is to keep the process out of the public eye as much as possible.
• Second, because we are going to be very guarded in this process, we ask that you please exercise a measure of patience with us and that you don’t get caught up in rumors, conjecture, or media reports that claim to have “inside” information.
• Finally, the process will be an extensive one and will result in a coach that the entire Bruin family will be proud to call their own.

Know in advance that we have begun the process of looking at candidates across the country and will leave no stone unturned in finding the best person for the job.

Thank you for your continued support of UCLA Athletics.

Dan Guerrero

Director of Athletics, UCLA

Dan: so sad a "signature win" has eluded us. How about some change?

Bruin Dad and Grad — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:38:28 -0000

From today's "Word from Westwood".

Dan also confirmed new uniforms. I hope they include a return of the "UCLA Sleeve" which were screwed up in our other new uniforms.

Focus on Football, Part II

The 45-6 victory over Colorado on Saturday was a fitting farewell in the final regular season appearance of our 18 seniors at the Rose Bowl. It was great to see them put it on the line one more time in front of the home crowd and walk away with a win. The win comes at an opportune time, as it keeps us in contention in the Pac-12 South Division race and means that more than city pride will be on the line when we play USC this week.

That said, against USC this week, we have an opportunity to garner the signature victory that has eluded our program for some time. Keeping that in mind, our team should be ready for the challenge.

From today's "Word from Westwood".

Dan also confirmed new uniforms. I hope they include a return of the "UCLA Sleeve" which were screwed up in our other new uniforms.

Focus on Football, Part II

"Bruins Road Show" Observations

Bruin Dad and Grad — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:19:55 -0000

It was only the first game in our season of away "Home" games. This thread is NOT about the game or the team but rather the event of our first "Home" game.

The Good:

1. The band and cheerleaders tried hard to make it feel like home.

2. The UCLA logo at center court, the videos on the scoreboard etc we designed to make it feel like a home game.

It was only the first game in our season of away "Home" games. This thread is NOT about the game or the team but rather the event of our first "Home" game.

The Good:

1. The band and cheerleaders tried hard to make it feel like home.

2. The UCLA logo at center court, the videos on the scoreboard etc we designed to make it feel like a home game.

The Bad:

1. Too much piped in music: it became quite annoying late in the game. It was an exciting game (even if it shouldn't have been) but because of the music our band could not play nor could the cheerleaders lead cheers. In the last 7:00 minutes every break in the action was dominated by piped in music. I am worried that the sites do not understand what is fun about college games.

2. Very few students: I hope that is because of San Bernadino and will be better at the Sports Arena. But very few students (whole sections were empty).

3. An "emcee" that was quite annoying and seemed to try to take over for the yell leaders.

Hopefully it will get better as we get closer to "home."

Why I will always root for the Bruins (at least in football)

Bruin Dad and Grad — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:45:20 -0000

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / US Presswire / October 29, 2011)

There was discussion last week whether it is acceptable to root against the Bruins. In football we can not.

I am not saying anyone here wished for injuries in any way, shape or form. I know BN would not hope even for little injuries for the other side.

But we have to remember, in football, the young men that are playing with four great letters on their helmets, are putting themselves in harms way for themselves, their teammates and our school. The Bruin players on the field have my support.

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / US Presswire / October 29, 2011)

There was discussion last week whether it is acceptable to root against the Bruins. In football we can not.

I am not saying anyone here wished for injuries in any way, shape or form. I know BN would not hope even for little injuries for the other side.

Strike up the Band

Bruin Dad and Grad — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:07:48 -0000

I wondered if it was just me or not...until I saw this T&R on SI about the results of a Nebraska fan survey:
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/289053-strike-up-the-band-change-coming-to-nebraska-games

A survey of Nebraska fans said they wanted the band and spirit squad more.

I for one would love to see the same happen at Pauley and the Rose Bowl. We don't need as much (if any) piped in music when the band is there. I am there for the college sports experience - leave the rest to the Lakers and other pro teams.

A survey of Nebraska fans said they wanted the band and spirit squad more.

Passion Bucket Video at the Rose Bowl

Bruin Dad and Grad — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:50:41 -0000

Lost in the mess that was the Saturday night loss to Stanford, was evidence of what CRN does so right and an example of UCLA sports Marketing getting it right....

Before the game there was a short video on the PASSION BUCKET with CRN explaining it. It was amusing and one of those things that makes you understand why CRN is such a good recruiter. Would have tried to video it if my Blackberry would have captured it effectively.

The people around me had never heard of the Passion Bucket so they really loved it. (Makes me sad how disconnected some supposed fans are from the goings on around UCLA.)

I am sure they will show it at future games.

PS I was glad to see the Gloved One had posted the Ogden video. As my son said: he may be the greatest lineman in football history. And he was a Bruin!

Lost in the mess that was the Saturday night loss to Stanford, was evidence of what CRN does so right and an example of UCLA sports Marketing getting it right....

The people around me had never heard of the Passion Bucket so they really loved it. (Makes me sad how disconnected some supposed fans are from the goings on around UCLA.)

I am sure they will show it at future games.

PS I was glad to see the Gloved One had posted the Ogden video. As my son said: he may be the greatest lineman in football history. And he was a Bruin!

Big 10 a model for new Pac 12 Zipper with "protected rivalry games"

Bruin Dad and Grad — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:08:39 -0000

According to the Sporting News, here is the way the new Big 10 with 12 members will schedule:

"For now, each team will play all five teams in its division once as well as its protected rival every year. The other two games will be a rotation of the other five teams in the opposite division that is not the protected rival. Delany did say the league is looking into adding a ninth conference game, but that change wouldn't come until 2015 so teams can satisfy existing non-conference agreements. "

Michigan will play its protected rival, Ohio State, the last game of the regular season.

Seems like it might work for a model for the expanded Pac12 with a "zipper" plan and protected rivals.

Here is the link.

According to the Sporting News, here is the way the new Big 10 with 12 members will schedule:

"For now, each team will play all five teams in its division once as well as its protected rival every year. The other two games will be a rotation of the other five teams in the opposite division that is not the protected rival. Delany did say the league is looking into adding a ninth conference game, but that change wouldn't come until 2015 so teams can satisfy existing non-conference agreements. "

Michigan will play its protected rival, Ohio State, the last game of the regular season.

Seems like it might work for a model for the expanded Pac12 with a "zipper" plan and protected rivals.

Here is the link.

Reeves Nelson a likely breakout per SI

Bruin Dad and Grad — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:58:26 -0000

May have missed it but did not see a link posted on BN.....

Luke Winn used some statistics to allegedly determine the players most likely to "breakout", and selected "a believable Breakout Starting Five". Reeves Nelson as one of five. Link is here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/luke_winn/08/05/breakout.candidates/index.html

It is interesting because I think most on BN would say TH is just as likely to break out. I agree though with the view that RN could be a monster if he can stay on the court for 30 minutes a game and improves his free throws.

May have missed it but did not see a link posted on BN.....

Luke Winn used some statistics to allegedly determine the players most likely to "breakout", and selected "a believable Breakout Starting Five". Reeves Nelson as one of five. Link is here:

The Most Hated Man In CFB In Charge Of The Most Hated Program In CFB

Bruin Dad and Grad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:40:41 -0000

Stewart Mandel of SI has an interesting article on Lame:

For four-plus years, envious fans around the country waited with anticipation for the NCAA to drop the hammer on USC's dynasty, which it did, and now they're presumably waiting with giddy anticipation for the expected on-field aftermath. That Kiffin could be steering the ship when the Trojans sink to mediocrity surely brings smiles to a lot of faces from Westwood to Austin, Gainesville and, of course, Knoxville.

No program that's undergone sanctions as severe as USC's (which include a two-year bowl ban and 30 docked scholarships over the next three years) has avoided an accompanying downfall. Yet, I don't remember a many people rooting for that to happen when Butch Davis took over at Miami or Mike Shula at Alabama.

The bottom line:

"And yet, in less than two years, the man has, quite justifiably, developed into a near-universally despised figure -- and I can't for the life of me figure out whether it's intentional or accidental, whether he's genuinely affected or apathetic about the venom directed toward him."

Read rest of it here.

Stewart Mandel of SI has an interesting article on Lame:

For four-plus years, envious fans around the country waited with anticipation for the NCAA to drop the hammer on USC's dynasty, which it did, and now they're presumably waiting with giddy anticipation for the expected on-field aftermath. That Kiffin could be steering the ship when the Trojans sink to mediocrity surely brings smiles to a lot of faces from Westwood to Austin, Gainesville and, of course, Knoxville.

No program that's undergone sanctions as severe as USC's (which include a two-year bowl ban and 30 docked scholarships over the next three years) has avoided an accompanying downfall. Yet, I don't remember a many people rooting for that to happen when Butch Davis took over at Miami or Mike Shula at Alabama.

The bottom line:

"And yet, in less than two years, the man has, quite justifiably, developed into a near-universally despised figure -- and I can't for the life of me figure out whether it's intentional or accidental, whether he's genuinely affected or apathetic about the venom directed toward him."

Read rest of it here.

Interesting Contrast Between The Game Thread & Talk (Around Me) In Pauley

Bruin Dad and Grad — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:45:20 -0000

Nestor asked me to bump this to a FanShot....

Last night there was a total disconnect. The fans around me were not nearly as frustrated by the game as those on the in-game thread (and UCLA fans tend to be very vocal in their criticism). I will watch the game tonight on replay and maybe I will get frustrated too.

In the arena, it appeared to me that the team played with intensity (particularly the starters). The level of play and energy was well above what we saw against SC, in the 76 Classic etc. They may have lost last night but it was not the hopeless team from earlier in the year.

We seemed to play pretty good defense over most of the game. I have said before that our zone packs the paint and if the opposition passes crisply it will force our over rotation to the point where there were wide open shots. Stanford did that and got wide open shots. They beat the zone by making their 3’s. That is how you beat the zone. But beating the zone does not mean we did not playwith intensity.

The team does appear to lose focus at times. One of the things I will watch for in tonight’s replay is if the subs are as good at getting it inside as the starters. The run to pull it out at the end was a patient focus on getting high probability inside shots. Have not seen the subs able to get the ball in.

And, N, one of the things that you sense when you are in Pauley is how much this team is together. A coworker who was also at the game last night was talking with me about how excited the bench got during the game. They were into it for the whole game not just the last few minutes. That specifically included BL and MM. This is different than they looked in Anahiem or in some of the earlier games. They appear, admittedly from a distance, to be coming together as a team. All the comments about the other players resenting the starters does not appear to be true in Pauley. (But who really knows).

To me the following are the positive things:
1. Team is starting to show signs of improvement: free throw shoting, turnovers etc.
2. The team appears to be developing an identity
3. The team appears to coming together.
4. The team is starting to play closer to its potential. The team is starting to bring more intensity to every game.
Admittedly this was all suppose to happen earlier in the season and the team’s potential may not be that great.

So I am looking forward to the end of the work day to try and figure out why the tone of the thread was so overwhelmingly negative compared to how it felt in Pauley.

Nestor asked me to bump this to a FanShot....

So I am looking forward to the end of the work day to try and figure out why the tone of the thread was so overwhelmingly negative compared to how it felt in Pauley.

Tickets still available for the USC UCLA B-Ball at Pauley

Bruin Dad and Grad — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:35:40 -0000

Got an email for UCLA Athletics that tickets are still available. OK this is a down year for Ben's team and they can be frustrating to watch at times. But this is SC. We need to pack the house!

Be There for one of the Hottest Rivalries in the Country…
…and Paint Pauley blue!

This game is #1 on your not-to-be-missed list, and everyone else's. But don't worry, you can still get great seats direct from season ticket holders with Bruin TicketExchange by Ticketmaster!

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To get the best available seats at the lowest prices, order directly from the UCLA Central Ticket Office at (310) UCLA-WIN or click here.

Don't play games with your cross-town showdown tickets—go to uclabruins.com/ticketexchange and get your great seats now!

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Got an email for UCLA Athletics that tickets are still available. OK this is a down year for Ben's team and they can be frustrating to watch at times. But this is SC. We need to pack the house!