University of California - Los AngelesAthletics Summary

Written by Suzy Strutner

Suzy Strutner

Hometown

Newport Beach, Calif.

Major

Communication Studies

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Varsity sports are what initially put UCLA on the map, and the fact that the school boasts more than 100 NCAA championships instills an insane amount of spirit in all Bruins right off the bat. Basketball usually lives up to the hype, as the team has the storied lore of Wooden to attain each year. Yet in the fall, the Rose Bowl is full of diehards in complete denial of UCLA's often meager football performance. Students attend the games to indulge in the frenzied action, and the ticket availability fluctuates with the success of the team. And while barrages of spirited students don't typically attend them, it surely shouldn't be forgotten that top-notch sporting events from rugby to gymnastics are hosted almost daily on campus.

Whether it is UCLA's varsity success, outdoor formatting, or sunny SoCal weather, exercise is a student priority, and the up-to-date Wooden Center is often more crowded than a frat party. IM sports have different tiers of competition, usually separated into three levels, but almost nobody competes in them besides Greek teams attempting to prove who's the coolest. The club sports scene, however, is well-respected and very competitive.