Rick Neuheisel has already started to shake things up in the Bruin football program.
The team’s annual spring game will be held at the Rose Bowl this year on April 26, instead of on campus, where it was typically played in past years.
The spring game is the culmination of spring practice, which begins on April 3. Those practices will be held at Spaulding Field and are open to the public.
Another twist Neuheisel has added may not be unveiled until the end of the 2008 season when the Bruins take on USC.
According to Tracy Pierson of BruinReportOnline.com, Neuheisel and Trojan coach Pete Carroll have agreed to have each team wear home uniforms when the two rivals meet on Dec. 6 at the Rose Bowl.
Before 1982, the teams had a tradition: Both teams would wear their home uniforms. UCLA would don its home blue jerseys and USC would wear its home red. But in that year, the NCAA ruled that the visiting team must wear away uniforms. Since then, the visiting team has worn white to avoid a penalty and a forfeited time-out in the first half.
Neuheisel and Carroll have reportedly agreed that the home team will take a time-out to offset the one the visitors must forfeit. The penalty will be declined. The agreement is said to be set to last as long as Neuheisel and Carroll remain coaches of the respective schools.
GOLFERS SLIP: The women’s golf team had a tough day at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes.
As a team, UCLA shot a 15-over par 299. All the Bruins turned in scores at 2-over par or higher. Sophomore Sydnee Michaels shot a 7-over par 78 a day after shooting 71 in the first round Monday. Ryann O’Toole shot a 79.
The Bruins now sit one stroke behind USC entering today’s final round.
RENOVATION FINISHED: The renovation at Jackie Robinson Stadium, home of the UCLA baseball team, finished Monday, and the Bruins were able to take the field for practice.
The team will play its annual alumni game this weekend on the improved, Major League-quality playing surface. The regular season begins on Feb. 22 when the Bruins take on Oklahoma.
UCLA enters the 2008 season with high expectations: The Bruins were ranked No. 1 in the Baseball America preseason poll and No. 3 by Rivals.com. Shortstop Brandon Crawford was named an All-American by the magazine as well.
DISALVATORE HONORED: UCLA softball’s second baseman, freshman GiOnna DiSalvatore, was named Pac-10 conference player of the week, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced Tuesday,
The Palm Harbor, Fla., native had a tremendous weekend in her Bruin debut. She went 10-for-16 at the plate and tallied nine RBIs at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament.
The Bruins finished with four wins and one loss. On Friday, the Bruins defeated Nevada 10-1 and Oklahoma 6-1. On Saturday, the Bruins defeated Santa Clara 27-1 and UC Santa Barbara 7-5. However, on the last day of the tournament, Oklahoma avenged its previous loss, beating UCLA 7-0.
DiSalvatore and the Bruins head to Las Vegas this weekend for the UNLV Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. The Bruins will take a No. 6 national ranking with them. They face No. 22 Missouri on Friday.
Compiled by Sam Allen, Bruin Sports senior staff.