SB Nation User Blog: uclafan11

Alterraun Verner Writing for uclabruins.com

uclafan11 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:37:02 -0000

Alterraun Verner Writing for uclabruins.com

Alterraun had a link to this on his Facebook page. He's is a great example of what it is to be a Bruin!

The LAT finally does some solid reporting re: Mayo

uclafan11 — Sat, 16 May 2009 20:35:01 -0000

Like Barnes2JJ said in a previous post, "yeah right, you bought that one?"

So, the trOJan Times finally decides to print an article on the subject and guess what they focus on? A former player of timmeh's and his feelings about the week's events. The focus is on how much the school does to make sure the players follow the rules and why the story should not be trusted. They just spread their agenda through a former player.

I don't know why I keep saying "I can't believe it" about this sham of a paper. If they had coverage like the rest of the country and then this one, then okay. Their one sided and biased reporting continues and I can't wait to see what they report when the punishment comes in.

I will not include the link but here are some excerpts article (and while I didn't include the photo mentioned, I did leave in the photo credit where they make sure we understand ~~their~~ Penrose's position):

You've spoken on ESPN radio about Louis Johnson's allegation that Tim Floyd gave money to Rodney Guillory on Valentine's Day of 2007, and pointed out that it was a travel day for the basketball team. The team's itinerary indicates that practice at USC was in the early afternoon and the plane left a few hours later. With those parameters, a morning meeting seems feasible. Why don't you think it couldn't have happened on a travel day?

Coach Floyd is usually in the office around 6:30 a.m. just watching tape. There were times, especially my junior year (his first year), I'd get a workout in at 6 a.m. and I'd go through Heritage Hall to go to the locker room. I'd see the light on, I'd walk in, and Coach Floyd would be sitting there eating some food and watching tape at 7 in the morning. He was usually always there in the office, especially during the season, especially during Pac-10 play, with Coach [Phil] Johnson just watching film all day long. You never really saw him go anywhere during the daytime.

If [Louis Johnson] said this happened on a Tuesday at 9 o'clock in the evening, then I would have nothing to say. But he's not saying that. He's saying it happened in broad daylight in Beverly Hills, a place where he could be recognized. That's what doesn't make any sense.

Why else do you doubt the accusation?

He's saying it happened in Beverly Hills. If something like that were to go down, why would it be in Beverly Hills, which is right next to UCLA? I've seen Coach Howland walking up and down that street [Rodeo Drive] many, many times during the day. You have UCLA students walking down there all the time. Celebrities walk down that street. Paparazzi's all over the place. They would see Coach Floyd walking around. It would be pretty obvious. If you were going to do something like that, you wouldn't do it in a place where you could be recognized, you'd do it somewhere off the beaten path.

You also said that you saw Rodney Guillory and Louis Johnson around O.J. Mayo's dorm room. Didn't it strike you as odd to see these sorts of characters around?

Not really. Just about every recruit has someone like that, who's either an AAU coach, an uncle, or somebody who calls up the coach, gets a package of recruiting letters, gets recruiting going. Everyone has someone like that who's helping the recruiting process. I just thought these guys, from what I heard, they were advisors. They were the ones handling his recruiting and had all the contacts and were talking to all the coaches. What was a little weird is that they were always around the dorm room. Whenever I was at the dorms, I would see his car outside or something like that. I didn't know if he was a family member or what, but it didn't really strike me as odd because every recruit in the country has someone like that who's "advising" him on where he should go.

When the car was around, was Guillory there, too? Any thought cross your mind that maybe it was being used as O.J.'s car?

No. In fact whenever I saw O.J. get in, he would get into the back seat.

Guillory was apparently not allowed to get tickets from Floyd, per the administration. Were you, or anybody on the team that you know of, ever given any instructions about him?

Not at all. The first time I ever heard anything negative about Guillory was the ESPN Outside The Lines thing.

You didn't hear anything about earlier concerns with Guillory and Jeff Trepagnier?

No, I was shocked when I heard that. I would have thought that information would have been very clear before we even started recruiting O.J. I didn't hear anything about that until it came out last year ... I think it shocked me in a different way than it shocked other people. Usually when somebody brings in a player, you tend to hear if they've brought in somebody before.

What does USC's compliance office do to educate players about NCAA regulations?

Everything! It's a complete pain! They have so many lectures. They want to make sure that you know the rules. Before you can even practice with the team, you have to fill out almost two hours of paperwork, you have to go through a seminar, and they make you take a test. Throughout the season they'll have a compliance meeting where they'll play a game to help you learn information. They're always doing something to remind players and coaches about the rules. There are always fliers on the doors, posters in the locker room from the NCAA and USC compliance office, just always reminding players of the consequences of their actions if they do something against NCAA rules.

Have you noticed other measures that the school, specifically the compliance office, takes to prevent potential violations?

Not really. As a player, I just did all the paperwork. It seemed to get bigger and bigger every year. The two-hour compliance meeting turned into a two-and-a-half hour compliance meeting, which turned into a three-hour compliance meeting. The NCAA is always changing the rules and the compliance office wants to make sure the student-athletes understand the changes in the rules. Behind the scenes they probably make tweaks when a rule change happens that you or I would never really know.

A big school like USC, their compliance office is going to be on their game 24/7. They're going to make sure that they take all the necessary steps to make sure these kids are eligible and make sure the players and school won't get in trouble for any rule infractions.

Have you talked to Coach Floyd recently?

I haven't. I talked to him maybe a couple weeks ago, stepped into his office to say hi and talk to him about what he thinks about next year.

What else do you want people to know about this situation?

That it doesn't make sense. You have to look at the source. Look at the guy who's saying all this. This guy [Johnson] has provided no direct facts, no evidence ... We're taking the word of a guy who's leaching on to a 17- or -18-year-old kid, hoping to reap the benefits of O.J. Mayo playing in the NBA? Louis Johnson is like a guy whose girlfriend just left him for another guy. He's so [angry], he's trying to take down his girlfriend, ruin her reputation and the reputation of that guy she left him for. It's just a scorched earth policy. He's going down, and he's taking everybody down with him.

Another thing is that people are saying, "He wouldn't lie, he went to the feds." We've seen professional baseball players who have families, who have nice houses, cars, a lot of money -- they have a lot to lose -- who have lied in court. Louis Johnson? The guy has nothing to lose ... He can go out there and throw accusations in the air, not really caring what happens.

The questions were asked by Trojan ~~shill, lapdog, asskisser,~~ alum Adam Rose.

UCLA Spring Game Photos

uclafan11 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:49:31 -0000

UCLA Spring Game Photos

Here you go Nestor and BN! A few photos from the Spring game...

GO BRUINS!!!

Videos from UCLA Spring Game

uclafan11 — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:48:34 -0000

Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

I took a few videos last night to share with those who could not attend the Spring Game last night.

Rick Neuhesel welcoming the fans and giving opening remarks:

Invite to Bruin Dinner and Auction with WHO?

uclafan11 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:49:06 -0000

Ummm ok, so I got this invitation in my email tonight. I started to read and thought "cool! Tracty, Ed, Charles...and WHO?"

UCLA Athletics Club of Orange County
3rd Annual Celebration Dinner & Auction
Saturday, May 30 – Balboa Bay Club
6:00 p.m.

“A Conversation with Bruin Basketball Greats” featuring Tracy Murray, Ed O’Bannon, Charles O'Bannon & former Head Coach Steve Lavin.

Entering its third year, this unique event has raised in excess of $85,000 which directly benefits the UCLA Athletic Department and the outstanding student-athletes who wear the Bruin blue and gold. This year’s dinner promises to deliver a memorable experience that you will not want to miss.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a vibrant cocktail reception outside on the Coconut Grove of the Balboa Bay Club complete with tray passed hors d’oeuvres, hosted cocktails and a specialty martini bar sponsored by Finlandia. While enjoying the reception, you may peruse the silent auction items that are available for bidding.

Following the reception, it will be time to head inside the ballroom for dinner and our featured program, “A Conversation with Bruin Basketball Greats” that will feature great stories, great laughs and memorable moments.

As entertaining as our program will be, the evening will culminate with live music and dancing. This will truly be a night to remember!

Finally, for those who are interested the Balboa Bay Club has provided a limited number of rooms at a discounted rate of $199 for the evening. Please contact The Balboa Bay Club @ (949) 645-5000.

If you have questions about this event or donations, contact Michael Rorabaugh at 310-206-3302 or by email at mrorabaugh@athletics.ucla.edu. Please RSVP by Friday, May 22, 2009.

I put all the info here in case anyone is interested in attending, but WHY would they invite him? Anyone?

Coaching Question from U of A Fan...

uclafan11 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:44:09 -0000

This email was in my Youtube inbox this morning and while I can definitely respond on my own, I thought the lovely people here at BN could help. I mean, WHERE do I begin?

help center | e-mail options | report spam

Steve Lavin

I'm a U of A fan, I brought up the fact that Steve Lavin would be a solid coach to be considered for the position. He knows the Pac-10 and the west coast very well, it's proven he can recruit on the west coast and nationally, he's put numerous players in the NBA, he made 5 sweet-16's in 6 years including 1 final-four in the most pressurized head-coaching position in college sports. But lately every UCLA fan has said he was a terrible coach who nearly put the program in shambles and shouldn't ever be a head-coach again, can you explain to me how he was a bad coach and put the greatest college basketball program in shambles? I just can't seem to understand why they would think that... Thx

Fire Away!

Bruin Bash(es) in Philly

uclafan11 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:28:00 -0000

Bruin Bash(es) in Philly

For those who will be in Philly, here is a link for information on the Bruin Bash. It will be held before games Thursday and (FINGERS CROSSED) Saturday. GO BRUINS!!!

Game Times Have Been Announced for Philly

uclafan11 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:59:46 -0000

Game Times Have Been Announced for Philly

UCLA plays VCU at 6:45 PST, 9:45 EST on Thursday night. Also, The winner of Thursday's game will play the winner of Villanova or American on Saturday at either 10:05 am PST, 1:05 pm EST or 12:35 pm PST, 3:35 pm EST.

Pac-10 Tourney Tickets Available For UCLA Students

uclafan11 — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:31:55 -0000

Pac-10 Tourney Tickets Available For UCLA Students

Just wanted to pass the word on - at the end of the WSU UCLA game, they put a message up on the jumbotron. It said that tickets to Friday night's game against $c have been made available to UCLA students for only $10 dollars! This is a great idea and we need to turn Staples blue and get rowdy. Get on this, students! See you there! GO BRUINS!!!

Senior Day Video - Aboya, Shipp and Collison. What a great day at Pauley Pavilion! ...

uclafan11 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 09:20:57 -0000

Senior Day Video - Aboya, Shipp and Collison. What a great day at Pauley Pavilion! GO BRUINS!!!