Category:University of California, Los Angeles History

[edit] History

The sports teams for UCLA are called the Bruins. The Bruin men's and womens' teams participate in NCAA Division I-A as part of the Pacific 10 Conference. Jackie Robinson, Troy Aikman, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Ann Meyers are just some of the famous athletic alumni.

[edit] School colors

The UCLA school colors are "True Blue" and gold. The "True Blue" is a slightly darker shade than the previous powder blue worn by teams. The shade was developed by the UCLA athletic department and Adidas for the 2003 school year.

In the early days of the school, the colors were Navy blue and gold like the first University of California.

When football coach Red Sanders came to UCLA for the 1949 season he redesigned the football uniforms. Sanders added a gold loop on the shoulders, the UCLA Stripe. The navy blue was changed to a lighter shade of blue. Sanders figured that the baby blue would look better on the field and in film. He would dub the baby blue uniform "Powder Keg Blue", powder blue with an explosive kick.

[edit] Sports facilities

Two notable sports facilities serve as home venues for UCLA sports. The Bruin football team plays home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California; the team won a national title in 1954. The men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams play at Pauley Pavilion on campus.

[edit] Championships

As of 2006, UCLA has won 119 national championships, including 99 NCAA championships, more than any other university. On May 14, 2006, the UCLA women's water polo team won the national final game against archrival USC, and secured the Bruins' 99th overall NCAA championship.

[edit] Football

In 1954, the UCLA Bruin Football team had a 9-0 record and was ranked number one in the UPI football poll. The Bruins have played in the Rose Bowl game 12 times with a 5-7 record overall. The Bruins have won or shared the conference title 17 times.

Heisman Trophy The Heisman Trophy is awarded each year to the finest player in college football; one UCLA player, Gary Beban, has won the award.

[edit] Basketball

Among these championships, some of the more notable victories are the men's basketball championships under coaches John Wooden and Jim Harrick. The rich legacy of UCLA basketball has produced 11 NCAA championships - 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1995. Holding the record for most basketball championships, however, is not the only incredible achievement possessed by UCLA's athletics program. From 1971 to 1974, UCLA men's basketball won an unprecedented 88 consecutive games, a record that many sports pundits consider unbreakable. Past rosters of UCLA basketball teams have been filled with such greats such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor), Bill Walton, Reggie Miller and Baron Davis.

[edit] Olympic competitors

In addition to the success of its collegiate sports program, UCLA is always well represented at the Olympics. In the 2004 Athens games, UCLA sent 56 athletes, more than any other university in the country.

[edit] Spirit

The Bruin mascots are Joe and Josephine Bruin. The Solid Gold Sound of the UCLA Bruin Marching Band entertains the crowds at Bruin games. The school fight songs are "Sons of Westwood" and "The Mighty Bruins".

[edit] National Championships

[edit] Men's NCAA National Titles

[edit] Women's NCAA National Titles

[edit] Rivalries

UCLA shares a traditional sports rivalry with the nearby University of Southern California. This rivalry is relatively unique in NCAA Division I sports because both schools are located within the same city, Los Angeles. The Lexus Gauntlet is the name given to a competition between UCLA and the University of Southern California in the 18 varsity sports that both compete in head-to-head; in 2003 and 2005, UCLA won the Lexus Gauntlet Trophy, while the University of Southern California has won the trophy in 2002, 2004, and 2006.

[edit] Traditions