Ode to Daily Bruin Sports

Published: Monday, June 15, 1998

Monday, June 15, 1998

Let me start off with a "Surprise!" to all those readers who thought Emmanuelle was a guy. You were wrong (what do you think the extra 'le' was for?). But don't worry, I forgive you. And now, let's get on with it.

I've thought about what I was going to write in this column for the last four years and what can I say? When I fondly remember college several things will definitely stand out like living in Sunset, Madison's, Chi-O, basketball games, football games, sitting on the Wall, being in Westwood after UCLA won the national championship and, of course, the Daily Bruin.

I truly believe that I've had the best job on campus. I've traveled (at the Bruin's expense, nonetheless) across the country from Alaska to Florida, getting paid to sit in the front row of basketball games (and sometimes be on TV). I've had the opportunity to talk to future Olympic athletes and I've met countless of really cool people.

I remember my first beat: men's gymnastics. It was the very first year in which the fabled team (which boasts Olympic gold medalists as its alums) competed as a club sport. And I just wanted to say one thing to Coach Shurlock and his athletes - you guys were dissed. I think it is great that we now have a women's soccer and water polo programs, but it shouldn't have been at your expense.

But I digress ...

I've had a great time here, I can't believe that it has passed so quickly. It seems like only yesterday when I fatefully opened up the Daily Bruin, saw an ad that was looking for a men's tennis writer, and, on a whim, decided that it would be an interesting thing to do, especially since I had this huge crush on Andre Agassi, evidenced by the posters on my wall (this was, of course, pre-Brooke).

That was my sole intention: To come in and write about men's tennis. Never did I imagine that I would one day be the sports editor. The most ironic thing is that though I have covered lots of sports (men's gymnastics, women's water polo, cross country, men's and women's basketball and men's track), I never did get to report on men's tennis.

So, in a tribute to my years at The Bruin I've decided to write a poem, an ode if you will, to the Daily Bruin sports office. But before I proceed there are several disclaimers. First of all, remember I'm a business-economics major and I took Scandinavian 50 to fulfill my GE literature requirement. Second, if your name is left out, it is not because I forgot or don't love you, it was purely for artistic reasons - I couldn't find a word to rhyme with it. So here it goes:

My gratitude goes out to Sports and its Wall O' Beer /That which has given me many memories I hold so dear. /Though I know I've said it's sometimes been a pain /Working at The Bruin I really can't complain. /I've written, I've traveled, I've been to lots of games, /I've made friends and I've watched 'SC be put to shame. /To Missy, Brad, Rob, the two Marks and Brent, /I cherish all those times we've spent ... (drinking). /To Sports Info - Liza, Steve, Marc and Bill, /Working with you has been a real thrill.

And of course to the UCLA athletes, coaches and teams. /Watching you win constantly has been a total dream. /However the end of my time here is nigh. /And thus I must now say: goodbye. /Go Bruins!

Emmanuelle Ejercito