Welcome one, welcome all ““ this is the wonderful world of
UCLA sports. As you young freshmen enter this fine world of
Westwood, consider this your introduction ““ a little peek
into how things used to be, are now and probably will be in the
future.
So here’s the history. I’ve pretty much been a Bruin
since birth. My dad graduated from UCLA in 1974, right at the tail
end of the glory years in men’s basketball.
I heard all the stories ““ Bill Walton being banished from
practice until he cut his hair, the victory over Notre Dame after
the loss that broke the streak, the absolute legend that was, and
is, John Wooden.
“They Call Me Coach” was my Bible, and the
“Pyramid of Success” was my Ten Commandments.
But that was then, and this is, well “¦ now.
This is not John Wooden’s UCLA sports world, that’s
for sure. Long gone are the days of 88 straight victories, national
title after national title and short shorts.
That was the world of yesteryear, or yester-decade to be more
accurate.
Yes, UCLA athletics is a far cry from what it used to be, but
that might not be such a terrible thing. Let me try to explain.
UCLA has an incredible Athletic Department, something we can all
marvel at and be proud of as students. But don’t think for
one second that that incredibleness is a product of success in
basketball and football, the only two sports that people actually
seem to care about.
The last basketball national title came in 1995. I remember it,
vaguely, but I’d imagine it’s a lot different when
you’re actually a student here. I wouldn’t really
know.
And football, oh, football. The UCLA program was so close to
establishing itself as a national powerhouse several years ago, but
now it seems destined to languish in mediocrity for at least the
next couple of seasons.
Based on that, the outlook may sound bleak for you as incoming
freshmen. But it’s really not that bad.
UCLA has won eight NCAA championships in the last two years.
Eight. That’s eight teams that have been better than everyone
else in the country, a pretty damn impressive feat, a feat that
should be met with hearty congratulations.
So, congratulations, softball (twice), gymnastics (twice),
women’s golf, women’s track, women’s water polo
and men’s soccer.
But, instead of congratulations, these teams are met with
relative indifference. As a university, UCLA is in a unique
position. The success of our Athletic Department in the eyes of the
general public is determined by the performance of just two teams,
regardless of the incredible performances of anyone else.
How fair is that?
I’ll answer that. It’s not fair at all, and
it’s a great injustice to those teams that are working just
as hard, if not harder, than the men’s basketball team and
the football team. Last year alone UCLA won four national titles,
finished second in three other sports and third in two more.
How’s that for success?
I’ll answer that. It’s essentially unprecedented
success, but if you go out on the street and ask Joe Average (the
one who didn’t get the girl on that television show) how UCLA
did in sports last year, the answer would likely be less than
favorable.
That’s because of two things. Men’s basketball went
11-17 in coach Ben Howland’s first season in Westwood and
failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
Football finished 6-7 in coach Karl Dorrell’s first campaign,
capped by a less than stellar showing against Fresno State in a
Silicon Valley Classic that was certainly less than classic.
So there you have it. Mediocrity from the teams people notice
translates into a relative ignorance of the teams that expect to
win national titles every season.
That is the environment you enter, young Bruins. You can choose
to accept it or be the change you wish to see in the world.
Tremendous opportunities abound to support the athletes who
basically go unsupported ““ the gymnasts, the tennis players,
the golfers and everyone else. They’ll appreciate your
support, that’s for sure.
And go to those football games and basketball games, too.
They’re a lot of fun, and both teams are getting better
““ I promise.
But just a word of advice ““ don’t expect John
Wooden, because there is only one John Wooden. And don’t
expect football that’s USC-caliber, because those damn
Trojans are really, really good.
However, you can expect every other sport at UCLA to contend for
a national championship, year in and year out, and I think very few
schools can actually say that. UCLA leads the nation with a total
94 NCAA titles, and more enter the hallowed halls of the J.D.
Morgan Center every year.
There’s no reason to think the trend will subside, so
enjoy it.
E-mail Regan at dregan@media.ucla.edu.