The records 10-2 and 32-7 might not mean much to the average person, but to any Bruins fan they are symbols of two of the best seasons in UCLA sports in recent history. With our football team boasting one come-from-behind victory after another, and our basketball team’s dramatic march to the national championship game, UCLA sports has a lot to be proud of and even more to look forward to. The program is bringing excitement and attention back to the West Coast, and this year will add to an already rich tradition.
With the drama of an unbelievable bowl victory for our football team and a very young basketball team eager to start up where they left off, the Bruins are early favorites to compete to be the best in the nation. Participation in UCLA athletic events is an experience like no other, and through active involvement in all of our teams’ competitions, we can contribute to the UCLA athletic experience.
But there is far more to UCLA than just football and basketball. We are contenders in every major collegiate sport. The men’s volleyball team turned a bleak start into an unexpected national championship last season, and the women’s water polo team capped off an amazing year with a last-second victory over crosstown rival “U$C” to capture its second national championship in a row.
UCLA has the best athletic program of any university in the country, and this year we will be looking for our historic 100th national championship. We aim to provide our Bruins with every advantage possible and prove to every other school in the nation that we not only have the greatest athletic program but also the greatest fans. Without the participation and dedication of the fans, it would be impossible to carry on such a storied history from one generation to the next.
The Den, UCLA’s official student fan group, seeks to strengthen the home court advantage in every sport and unite the students with every aspect of the game. Fusing the fans with the sport provides for an amazing experience and creates unforgettable memories, and being involved in the school’s athletics strengthens school spirit and instills a sense of pride that cannot be otherwise achieved.
The feeling of the Rose Bowl packed to capacity or the roar of Pauley Pavilion before a basketball game cannot be explained. Being a part of the game is an experience like nothing else, and as the season moves forward, each game becomes more and more exciting. The best of the best play at UCLA, and we get the opportunity to witness history every day. The presence of every student in The Den contributes to a game-time atmosphere stronger than any university in the country, and without every student contributing to that environment, it would not be the same.
Crisafulli is the 2006-2007 president of The Den.