Aug. 22, 2011

August is an exciting time of year here at UCLA.

All of our fall sports programs have reported to camp and are working hard during their pre-season practices. Whether it's football, men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country or men's water polo, our student-athletes and coaches are preparing to compete to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning championships.

It's also not too early to spend a few minutes talking about basketball. As you know, the men's and women's teams are on the road this season while we renovate Pauley Pavilion, a renovation, by the way, which is on schedule and will be spectacular when it is completed. I am asking you, our loyal Bruin fans, to support our young men and women as they compete in their temporary homes by buying tickets for the 2011-12 season.

The women will play their contests in the John Wooden Center on campus and have some great games on the schedule, including the Tennessee Volunteers as well as some great Pac-12 opponents. I am confident that our new head coach, Cori Close, will have them competing for the league crown.

We have dubbed the men's season the `Bruin Road Show' because the team will play its games in three different arenas. As you know, the majority of the games will be played at the L.A. Sports Arena, a facility that Coach Wooden's first two NCAA championship teams called home. Four games will be played at the Honda Center, where we have enjoyed success playing in the Wooden Classic. For the first time ever, we will play one exhibition game at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

The men's team has the potential to contend for the Pac-12 championship this season, but it needs your help. We are doing all we can to make these facilities our home, but the only way our student-athletes will enjoy a real home court advantage is if our loyal Bruin fans come to the games to support them. The schedule includes some great non-conference opponents, such as University of Texas and NCAA participant Richmond, as well as several outstanding local opponents and nine tough Pac-12 Conference contests.

We have created flexible season ticket packages and single game tickets at various prices are available by calling the UCLA Ticket Office at 310/825-2946 or visiting our website at www.uclabruins.com. I can't stress just how important your support will be to Coach Ben Howland and the Bruins as they battle for the league title.

Those fans who don't want to drive to the games can catch a ride on the bus service that has been arranged for all 19 of our home games. Fans will have the ability to park for free at Jackie Robinson Stadium, where the Bruin baseball team plays, and ride special buses to and from the basketball game for just $16 per person per game. The bus tickets should be purchased at least 48 hours prior to game day from the UCLA Ticket Office. We will be sending out more details about the bus plan as they become available.

In conclusion, we understand that the 2011-12 basketball season will be unlike any we have experienced since the opening of Pauley Pavilion. Our student-athletes work hard to represent UCLA and it is our hope that your will travel to the various venues to cheer for them during the "Bruin Road Show."

Make certain that you check the schedules of our various fall sport programs and come watch them compete. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you for your continued support. Go Bruins!