With one more hurdle to cross, the UCLA football team is only
days away from calling the Rose Bowl Stadium home for the next 20
years. The University of California Regents met Wednesday and will
meet today in order to formally approve a lease extension between
the school and the Rose Bowl, after the Pasadena City Council gave
its own authorization for the proposal Monday. “We have a
high level of enthusiasm for the long term,” Pasadena Mayor
Bill Bogaard said. “The two parties have worked hard to
address any issues that have been brought to the table.”
Included in the new agreement are plans for a $13-14 million
renovation of the 81-year-old stadium, which would start in
approximately 15 months. There would be a new locker room, media
facility, seismic improvements and repair of the videoboard. UCLA
will also retain veto power over any potential National Football
League team that might come to Pasadena in the future, as well as a
seat on the Rose Bowl Operating Corporation’s Board of
Directors. Though the chances of a professional team relocating to
the Rose Bowl are slim, if it were to happen, the UCLA football
team would be kicked out for two years while a NFL-mandated $500
million retrofitting was completed. “My feeling is that
having UCLA committed to a long-term deal makes the stadium that
much more attractive,” Bogaard said. Approval by the UC
regents is the only step needed before the lease extension would be
formally accepted, and until such time, the UCLA Athletics
Department will not comment. The last UCLA lease expired after the
2003 season.
UCLA LOSES OUT ON POTENTIAL COACH: After
talking to UCLA about taking a position with the team, Turner Gill
will be retained as Nebraska quarterbacks coach, according to The
Associated Press. The talks with UCLA seem to indicate that more
changes in the Bruin coaching staff are imminent. Steve Axman, the
current offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has long been
rumored as a casualty. Tight ends coach Gary Bernardi and offensive
line coach Mark Weber were fired Jan. 2. Former Oakland Raiders
coach Bill Callahan recently took over the Huskers, placing
Gill’s status in limbo.
SENIORS IN ALL-STAR GAMES: Defensive linemen
Mat Ball and David Tautofi will play in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 17 in
Maui. On the same day, offensive lineman Shane Lehmann will play in
the Las Vegas All American Classic. Defensive linemen Dave Ball and
Rodney Leisle will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 24 in Mobile,
Ala.
With reports from Daniel Miller, Bruin sports senior
staff.