Category Archives: Athletics/recreation

Ultimate De-Stresser: Wooden Center

May 3, 2013 – 8:10 am

 

There is no doubt that the academic aspects of college can be tough at times. No matter what school you attend Midterm and Final season brings out the stress monster in us all. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to deal with this stress, my personal favorite being Wooden Gym. Wooden is a place where Bruins can let their minds step away from the books and sweat it out. Wooden has a huge variety of fitness resources to choose from. My personal favorite is the different group classes that are offered. Students get free admission to Wooden through there tuition and for only 25$ you can purchase a group pass for the quarter!

Group passes get into any class on the list. The classes range from cardio kickboxing to total body workouts. There are even classes that take place in the pool. A lot of students come to college worrying about the curse of the freshman fifteen but UCLA has a huge amount of fitness opportunities that allow students to workout regularly. The classes are also offered at all different times of they day so students can really meld it into their own schedules.

One extremely popular part of Wooden is the open basketball courts and volleyball nights. These allow students who are not necessarily on the NCAA team to participate in the sports they love whenever there is a pick up game. I think every Bruin has tried Badminton at UCLA at least once. The front desk gives lends you a racquet and ball for no charge. Yet another awesome fitness option is Wooden Center’s rock wall. The rock wall is really popular among bruins because it is something many of us have not tried before.

The reason I am so happy being a Bruin is because I feel that every aspect of my student life is fulfilled. I wanted a college where I knew I would have incredible academic classes, but also social, active, and engaging activities outside of class. Wooden Center has become my de-stress zone, but even if the gym isn’t your thing, there are endless opportunities to find places to relax!

By Rebecca Winkle | Also posted in Life on campus | Tagged | Comments (0)

LA can be outdoorsy too!

April 15, 2013 – 1:27 pm

 

Since moving to Los Angeles, I’ve been trying to do all of the city-like things I didn’t get to do at home, like going to concerts at nearby venues or trying out as many unique, hip restaurants as possible. But one thing that has surprised me about LA is how “outdoorsy” it can actually be. Tons of people here actually prefer things like bike-riding, surfing, and hiking over things like shopping at expensive stores and attending movie premiers (weird, right?). Since living here, I have gotten a chance to experience both the glitz and glamour of LA, but also the down-to-earth side of LA.

This past weekend I mixed the glitz and glamour with the down-to-earth aspects of Los Angeles in one of the best ways possible: I hiked to the Hollywood sign! It was a blast. There are a couple  of different main trails that people take when hiking to the sign- including one that will take you in front of it, one that will take you in back of it, and one that starts from Griffith park. We decided to take the shortest route that leads us to the back of the Hollywood sign. The hike was short and sweet and we got to see a bunch of horses and even a snake- two things you don’t see in Westwood very often. We ran into a few other UCLA students on the way up as well! The view at the top of the Hollywood sign is amazing. Not only are you able to see the gorgeous Hollywood Hills, but also downtown Los Angeles, Westwood and the Pacific Ocean. If you turn around you can also see whats behind the mountain- towns like Burbank and Glendale and the 5 freeway! It definitely gave me a better understanding of the overall geography of Los Angeles and how close everything actually was. After our trip we rewarded ourselves and stopped by Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills on the way back to Westwood. As usual, it was delicious. I felt like a true tourist this day and I can’t wait to go again!

By Jamie Campbell | Also posted in Life off campus | Tagged , | Comments Off

UCLA Basketball, A necessity for any UCLA student.

February 7, 2013 – 7:27 am

One of the must-do experiences for any UCLA student is attending a men’s basketball game in historic Pauley Pavilion. This year Pauley Pavilion underwent an almost 2 year, 180$ million renovation without sacrificing the original structure, making it seem brand new and historic at the same time. There was a lot of hype surrounding the UCLA men’s basketball team after pulling in the #1 recruiting class, and one of the best players in the nation, Shabazz Muhammed and playing in the beautiful renovated arena. So far the team has backed up the excitement after beating two top ten teams. Not only is this year’s team good, but UCLA has had historically one of the best college basketball programs in the nation. After all, this is the home of esteemed basketball coach and UCLA legend John Wooden. Any student that attends a UCLA basketball game is witnessing history and excellence every time they walk into the arena.

UCLA students are lucky to not only to go to games in Pauley Pavilion but they also get the opportunity to sit as close to the action as anybody in the Arena in the court side seats known as “The Den”. However, these tickets are not easy to get, especially not for big games. In order to guarantee a seat, students start camping out for tickets the day before a game. It is quite a sight to see when hundreds of students set up tents and hang out next to Pauley Pavilion the day and night before a game. I have participated in many camp outs, including last week in preparation for a game against cross town rival USC. It is a great opportunity to hang out and bond with friends and other students who are avid fans of UCLA basketball. Some students brought projectors and played video games, while others chose to study or try to sleep. Regardless, the atmosphere at camp outs are very spirited, and should be on any UCLA students bucket list.

By Steven Simons | Tagged , , | Comments Off

New Hobbies

December 4, 2012 – 9:53 am

One of my favorite things about UCLA is all of the random activities that go on- particularly on the grass by Janss steps.   On sunny days this is quite a popular spot to go in between classes.  You will see people “hammock”ing, other days it will be people playing the ukulele, but you can almost always find people slacklining.

What is slacklining?  You take a 1 or 2 inch flat rope and you put it between two trees and you tighten it so that you can walk on it.  Apparently it is very popular in the rock climbing community.  The more talented slackliners can do tricks such as jumping, walking backwards, and leaping.  It sounds difficult and at first it definitely is!

Every time I have ventured out to Janss steps, I have found different groups with slacklines just waiting for others to join them.  The first couple times people waved me over to try, I just waved and said “No thanks, I’m not that coordinated” and went back to my book.  But the other day I decided to give it a try.  While I only took one step the first time, I felt so accomplished!  By the time I had to go to class, I had taken five steps!  My new friends had been so encouraging and helped me every step of the way.  I was so sad when I had to go back to class, but I was assured that they would be out slacklining at the same time the next day.

It was awesome!  Not only because I got to try something new, but because I made so many new people.  UCLA is constantly surprising me.  I had never heard of this unusual sport before and never thought that I would try something like it (you should have seen my mother’s face when I showed her the pictures)!  Now, I always have a place to go for some outdoor fun in between classes and know that taking a risk is usually worth it!  I still don’t pretend to be an expert at slacklinnig, but I can definitely call it a hobby of mine!

By Hannah Bernosky | Also posted in Life on campus | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (2)

UCLA vs. USC

November 21, 2012 – 7:17 am

Since 1998, UCLA football team has scarcely won over our rivalry school USC. And it has been 5 years since UCLA had last won. But it looks like the tables have turned,…because UCLA beat USC this year!

Just this past weekend, the Rose Bowl Stadium hosted an epic battle between the Bruins and the Trojans. Within the first 2 minutes of the game, the Bruins scored a touchdown, which was quickly followed by yet another Bruin touchdown before the end of the first quarter. Even with the pouring rain, the crowd went crazy cheering for the team and shouting the “UCLA 8-clap”. The game became a nail-biter as the Trojans caught up and brought the score to 31:28, with the Bruins still ahead in the game. But when Bruins scored their last touchdown with about 2 minutes left on the clock, everyone knew that the victory would go to UCLA this year.

As I was watching the game in my friend’s room one floor above mine, I went through countless cycles of yelling, clapping, laughing and gasping. This was my first time watching a UCLA v. USC football game, and I gotta say, it was pretty amazing.

It’s a good year to be a freshman. I’m proud to be a Bruin.

GO BRUINS!!

By Hayoung Youn | Also posted in Life off campus | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Early start to giving thanks this Thanksgiving :)

November 20, 2012 – 11:36 am

What a nice way to kick off the coming Thanksgiving week with our victory on the football game this past weekend! Bruins beat  the Trojans  38-28!!! woohoooo :)

Now, I wasn’t a big football fan before. However, I went to my first ever football game when we were playing against Arizona, and that was a good first game experience!! That’s why I was so  excited for the UCLA – USC game!! But anyway, GREAT job Bruins!! :) Like I said, a really really nice thing to start off Thanksgiving week..

Speaking of Thanksgiving week, that means we’re almost in week 8!! That means only 2 more weeks and we’ll be done with this quarter!! I can’t believe that this quarter went by so fast. Although that also means 2 more weeks before finals; however, that also means that only 2 more weeks before I get to go home for winter break :) I haven’t gone home for almost 3 or 4 years which is why I’m super excited for it!!! I will keep you all posted about that, and I’ll post pictures too!!

Hopefully by week 8, midterms have died down for all of you; and if it hasn’t (I still have midterms the day before Thanksgiving) then good luck to all of you! Let’s end this midterms season strong also before enjoying the Thanksgiving break! :)

This past weekend, I got a chance to watch Twilight – some of you might roll your eyes by now, haha – No, I’m not one of those crazy girls that will scream and start giggling when the vampire or the werewolves come out; however, I have to say that it was an entertaining and fun to spend time with some of my friends that like and dislike the movie. Some of us truly enjoyed the movie, while others were being a good friends and “sacrificed” their time to hang out with us, hahahaha…

Well, time to get back to study for my last midterm. For those with remaining midterms, good luck! For those that are done with midterms, good job and have a fun Thanksgiving week!! :)

By Olivia Harjanto | Also posted in Life off campus | Comments Off

Beat ‘SC Bonfire & Rally 2012

November 19, 2012 – 12:25 pm

What an incredible and spirited week it has been at UCLA!  In the final countdown before the big game with our crosstown rival, we prepared ourselves and made sure our entire campus community was feeling the spirit and enthusiasm it takes to give our team extra reassurance and strength to head over to the Rose Bowl and show them who’s boss.

This week’s Beat ‘SC Bonfire and Rally hosted by the Alumni Association was by far one of the greatest experiences I have had at UCLA yet.  One of the greatest UCLA traditions of all time, the day began with a car smash in Bruin Plaza, during which an old battered car adorned with kind words about our rival nobly gave the last moments of its life to a a band of enthusiastic students with a sledgehammer.  Then, the evening festivities were kicked off by the annual “Get the Red Out” t-shirt exchange, at which the first 700 students received a “Beat ‘SC” shirt by trading in any red item of clothing that would go towards a clothing drive.

Kicked off by student performances by Samahang Modern, Bruin Harmony, NSU Modern, Random Voices, and Kyodo Taiko, everyone was pumped up and ready for the rally which began at 6pm.  Appearances by the Spirit Squad, Marching Band, UCLA Olympians who had competed in the 2012 games in London and before, and the football team really brought home the feeling of what it means to be a Bruin.  Each Bruin’s wholehearted love for UCLA and everything it stands for, embodied in each t-shirt/face tattoo/8-clap, was really an incredible thing to see.  When the evening culminated in the lighting of the woodblock tower, I knew that no matter what happens on Saturday, I was already perfectly happy (although, of course, we are obviously going to win).

By Eleanor Fang | Also posted in Life on campus | Tagged , | Comments Off

Pauley Pavilion Opening Madness

November 6, 2012 – 8:10 am

 

Pauley is back!

Pauley Pavilion, our indoor stadium that had been under construction since March 2011, has finally reopened for this year’s basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics season. Thousands of students and parents gathered in the newly renovated stadium to take part in the free Pauley Pavilion Opening Madness Event held last Friday evening. The event was accompanied by the Homecoming festival, which consisted of about 20 carnival-style game booths, five giveaways, and obstacle course races. While waiting for the opening madness to start, my friends and I walked around the festival and eventually ended up with handfuls of candy and glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls in our pockets. The games were pretty fun too. I especially liked the Cupcake Walk booth just because I kept winning and got a bunch of cupcakes.

The event was opened by the UCLA Kyoto Taiko drummers, followed by other performances led by singer India Carney, the Nikkei Student Union Modern dance team, UCLA Marching Band, and UCLA Spirit Squad throughout the night. The best part for me was seeing Joe Bruin dancing to Gangnam Style played by the UCLA Marching Band. Apart from the performances, the student athletes from various sports teams like basketball and volleyball were also introduced to the audience, who praised them with enthusiastic screams and claps that echoed throughout the stadium.

Having never been to the old Pauley stadium, I have no idea how much the stadium has changed, but I know this for a fact: I’m definitely going to basketball games this year.

Go Bruins!

By Hayoung Youn | Also posted in Life on campus | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

Free Football Game Tickets?

October 15, 2012 – 2:21 pm

Yes! Free football game tickets. UCLA is an awesome school and it has been giving out tickets to incoming freshmen and transfer students at the beginning of every year to let them enjoy some of the school events for free. Last year’s incoming students were able to go to the game for UCLA vs. Washington, in which UCLA won.  This year, the free tickets were for the football game against Utah Utes.

All home football games are held at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Rides can conveniently be arranged through the shuttle transportation system, or the public transportation system by taking the Metro Gold Line. Or, if you have your own car, you can park at the stadium for a fee of $20. But, because there are a ton of people going to the game, the traffic tends to be congested. So, be sure to leave early to avoid traffic and claim your parking spots! First come, first serve!!

As much as people are enthusiastic about the actual game itself, many get excited for the food. The food completes the whole experience of watching football. The stadium is filled with temporary food vendors where you can find bacon-wrapped hot dogs, garlic fries, Santa Maria tri-tip sandwich, BBQ beef or pulled pork sandwiches, burritos, sweet kettle popcorn, and even teriyaki chicken rice bowls. The concessions sell just about everything: hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, churros, popcorn, candy, and peanuts. Plus, it’s not just any ordinary hot dog. You can either choose a jumbo hot dog, a jumbo bratwurst, Louisiana hot link (includes grilled peppers and onions^^), Italian hot links(serves with marinara and grated mozzarella cheese), or the “Old Fashioned Hot Dog,” which comes with a freshly cooked sausage bun sprinkled with bacon and sharp cheddar cheese. As you might have realized already, I am passionate about food. The Rose Bowl sounds like a happy place to me.

It’s really cool to have the Rose Bowl as our home stadium, because it has hosted many famous games. It has hosted the Olympic Soccer Matches in 1984, the Men’s World Cup in 1994, the Women’s World Cup in 1999, and the BCS National College Football Championship Games in 2002 and 2006. Also, the Rose Bowl Stadium is the eighth largest stadiums in the nation.

This year’s free game was just last Saturday. UCLA won with the final score of 21-14. With our powerful defense, we were able to keep the other team’s offense from scoring any points until the very last quarter.

Although I’m not a huge football aficionado, if I can get a free ticket, and I get to eat great food, I’d say it’s a pretty good deal. Thank you UCLA.

Go Bruins!

By Hayoung Youn | Also posted in Life off campus | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Football Season

August 30, 2012 – 3:22 pm

 

Today is the day! The Jim Mora era officially opens in Houston, Texas, against Rice. I hope you are excited as I am. I am sitting in my Bruin blue and have the TV ready. I actually know a family who has a flag they wave around in their living room during games, so I do not feel like a crazy fan (yet). The football team had their camp in San Bernardino, California, so they should be well-prepared for the heat that awaits in Texas.

Next week, UCLA will have their home opener against Nebraska. Our home games are actually in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl. It makes it a bit less convenient to get their as a student, but it is still very easy to get to the games. Bus tickets can be bought for a fairly cheap price, fewer than five dollars last time I bought one, and take students from the dorms to the Rose Bowl.

Go Bruins!

By Gina Provenzano | Tagged | Comments Off
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