Wang’s Word: UCLA Athletics damages its reputation by recruiting fake athletes

Forget for a brief moment the celebrities who were indicted for buying their kids’ admissions to some of the top colleges in the country. And forget about the numerous qualified high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds who overcame the obstacles in their lives, only to be denied admission in favor of the human equivalent of […]

UCLA men’s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo charged in college admissions bribery scheme

This post was updated March 14 at 12:34 p.m. UCLA was involved in a bribery scheme helping admit students to universities as student-athletes who had not played the sport competitively, according to court records released Tuesday. UCLA men’s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo was one of the many allegedly involved in the scheme, which included facilitation […]

UCLA Athletics announces plans to build academic center for student-athletes

Student-athletes will have a new place to study. A plan to construct an on-campus academic facility designed for UCLA’s nearly 700 student-athletes is in the works, UCLA Athletics announced Wednesday. The facility will be known as the Mo Ostin Academic Center for Student-Athletes. Morris “Mo” Ostin, a music executive and UCLA alum, gifted $15 million […]

Panel discusses Jackie Robinson’s legacy, role of social justice in sports today

A panel of Bruins, past and present, assembled in Schoenberg Hall to celebrate Jackie Robinson’s 100th birthday and discuss his dual legacy as an athlete and champion of social justice and activism. The discussion was moderated by SportsCenter anchor Cari Champion. The panel was comprised of LGBTQ rights activist and former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris […]

UCLA gymnasts Kyla Ross, Madison Kocian speak out on abuse by Larry Nassar

Two UCLA gymnasts said Thursday that they were abused by a former USA Gymnastics doctor who has been accused of sexually abusing more than 200 women. Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian said they decided to come forward about their abuse by Larry Nassar, who has been convicted of state sexual abuse and federal child pornography […]

Former UCLA basketball player found dead month after sex crime charges

This post was updated July 12 at 5:00 p.m.  Former UCLA men’s basketball player Billy Knight was found dead Tuesday morning in Phoenix less than a month after being accused of sexually abusing a child. The official cause of death has yet to be determined by the Maricopa County medical examiner, but no foul play […]

New athletic program offers tickets at half price for military members, veterans

UCLA Athletics announced last week that it would be introducing a new military appreciation ticket program for the 2018-2019 season. The program is available to active military members, veterans and their families, and it cuts the price of admission to all UCLA regular-season home games in half – including football and men’s basketball. UCLA Athletics […]