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BRIDGET O'BRIEN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Daniel Guerrero, UCLA's new athletic director, speaks to the media alongside Chancellor Albert Carnesale on Friday. Guerrero will take over for Peter Dalis.

By Vytas Mazeika

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

vmazeika@media.ucla.edu The honeymoon period didn’t even last a day. Less than 24 hours after being named UCLA’s new athletic director, Dan Guerrero was already fielding questions about the renovation of campus facilities and the fact that he has never been in charge of a football program. Guerrero’s answers at Friday’s press conference introducing him to the media were general and reserved, noting his unfamiliarity with the intricacies of the UCLA program. One thing Guerrero stressed was his top priority: to develop a relationship with his new staff and coaches. The specific challenges ahead should become apparent in time, he said. Pressed for at least a general comment, Guerrero said, “The challenge that we have is very, very simple. It’s daunting, but it’s one that has existed here for years. How can you maintain and develop a program that is one the finest in the country, that graduates student-athletes at a high clip, that can keep this program fiscally solvent, that demonstrates a commitment to equity, to diversity to service to the community and to the campus?” Peter Dalis, who retires June 30 to give way to Guerrero, notes that times have changed. When Dalis took over in 1983, there was no drug testing, the NCAA academic performance requirements were not as stringent and Title IX had not yet depleted UCLA of multiple men’s scholarships. “It’s not the same job. It’s not the same work,” Dalis said. “The economics are not the same as when I entered the job at all.” Guerrero did an exemplary job of adjusting to the times by becoming the driving force behind $38 million of newly constructed or renovated facilities during his 10-year tenure as athletic director at UC Irvine. Yet to target any buildings at UCLA, Guerrero hinted of changes in the horizon. “There has been a methodical movement toward improving the facilities in this campus that I think is very positive,” Guerrero said. “And once I get in here I will continue to go forward and see what options exist for improving the facilities.” One facility not likely to appear on campus is a football stadium. Guerrero explained that one only need walk around UCLA to know there is no room for something like that, though Guerrero did not rule out the possibility of playing at another facility besides the Rose Bowl. Student apathy at UCLA could also be a challenge. Guerrero dealt with the same obstacles at UCI by creating the CIA (Completely Insane Anteaters). The fan-oriented organization gave away In-N-Out burger coupons and lift tickets to Bear Mountain to those who came to sporting events. Then, over time, a massive following was created. “There was no student body that was more apathetic than Irvine,” Guerrero said. “The involvement of your student body as spectators at your events is vital. It’s indicative of a strong, vibrant athletic program.” Guerrero was even able to pass two student referenda. The increased quarterly fees helped with funding and proved Guerrero could get students to buy into his master plan. “I hope the sports program becomes one aspect of the school instead of a defining factor,” said Hector Leano, a first-year undeclared student. “I hope the new athletic director changes things up a bit.” Guerrero tried to divert concern regarding his lack of experience with a football program by citing his move from Cal State Dominguez Hills to a much bigger campus at UCI. That did not prove to be a liability, and Guerrero expects the same result at UCLA. “So as you look at the situation with football, I’m not coming here to pass plays from the press box to (football head coach) Bob Toledo,” Guerrero said. “Unless you want me to,” he added, with Toledo in the room. Guerrero began his press conference by quoting Admiral “Bull” Halsey: “There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.” Guerrero considers himself such an ordinary man – one who recognizes UCLA’s impending challenges will not be solved without the support of those around him. “I can come here with the greatest vision in the world, but if I don’t have any buy-in from my coaches or our student-athletes, if I don’t have any buy-in from my staff or the administration or the community, it’s a vision that’s not going anywhere,” Guerrero said.

Reports from Jessica Bach, Daily Bruin Contributor.