SB Nation User Blog: bryanucla

MTV christens the Rose Bowl as the home of U$C* football

bryanucla — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:02:56 -0000

According to MTV, the Rose Bowl is "the home of the University of Southern California football team." Inhabiting the stadium throughout the fall apparently isn't enough for us to call the place home; we have to win a few Rose Bowls to get the title back! Maybe this kind of journalism will motivate our Bruins to find the elusive "focus" that will enable them to catch footballs and make tackles.

By the way, are there any Bruins Nation gatherings at the Rose Bowl? I'll be in town for the UCLA vs. Washington game and figured I'd see who else will be there.

UCLA wins in the field of economics

bryanucla — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:22:16 -0000

Last time I checked, economic research was not an NCAA sport, but nonetheless here's some good news from that field.

Three-time UCLA graduate Elinor Ostrom, along with UC Berkeley professor Oliver Williamson, has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Economics. Professor Ostrom's most famous works (if econ professors' articles are ever famous) address the management natural resources such as commonly held property. She graduated from UCLA with a BA, an MA, and a PhD in Political Science.

UCLA graduate William Sharpe won the Nobel Prize in 1990. To my knowledge, five UCLA professors and another five UCLA alumni have received Nobel Prizes.

Maybe we should hang Nobel banners in Pauley to remind TV viewers that UCLA isn't just a basketball school! : )

UCLA's new aquatic center opens this weekend!

bryanucla — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:39:55 -0000

Bumped. If you are on campus today you might want to check this place out. GO BRUINS. -N

The Bruins' new $10 million Spieker Aquatics Center will host its inaugural event this Saturday. Our #2-ranked men's water polo team will play UC Irvine at 7:00 p.m. The center is at the top of Sunset Rec, taking the place of four tennis courts.

As blogger Karen Owoc has mentioned, there will be two unfortunate absences at the center: men's diving and men's swimming teams. The Athletic Department shut down those illustrious programs in 1994. More after the jump.

See our official site for the full article from the Athletic Department for more details:

The Spieker Aquatics Center brings together all three of UCLA's intercollegiate aquatic sports - water polo, swimming and diving - to one venue. The state-of-the-art facility was made possible thanks to a generous lead gift from former UCLA student-athlete Tod Spieker and his wife, Catherine. Tod was an All-America swimmer at UCLA, competing from 1968-1971, and continues to successfully compete in Master's Swimming.

"We all know that UCLA enjoys an abundance of proud moments, but this one really is special," Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said. "For only the second time since 1932, this campus is unveiling a new aquatic facility that is not only beautiful and versatile, but also provides our water polo, swimming and diving teams a new home.

"Nothing pleases our current athletes more than winning, and nothing pleases our athletic alumni more than continued success. Thanks to the generosity of all who have contributed to this project, and for the hard work of those who had a hand in the planning and execution of the Spieker Aquatics Center."

The Bruins' new aquatic center will become the home to UCLA's men's and women's water polo, swimming and diving teams. The state-of-the-art facility features a 52-meter by 25-yard all-deep water pool with a dividing bulkhead, allowing races to take place at varying distances (meters, versus yards). The pool also features four platforms on a diving tower, at heights of three, five, seven and one-half, and 10-meter platforms, as well as one and three-meter springboards. The aquatics center also features a warming pool behind the tower for divers.

If anyone makes it to Saturday's game, please post photos. With this facility and the new softball stadium, Sunset Rec area has become a first-class area not only for regular students, sunbathers, swimmers, and tennis players, but also for some of our varsity teams.

Farewell to an Olympian and Bruin

bryanucla — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:18:43 -0000

Farewell to an Olympian and Bruin

Sad to say, 1984 Olympian and Bruin shot putter David Laut was shot and killed by burglars at his home.