Feb. 21, 2013

LOS ANGELES - A total of 25 freshmen football student-athletes attended the Sixth Annual Etiquette Dinner hosted by the Academic and Student Services unit on Feb. 19 in the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.

The student-athletes were joined by several athletic department staff members, alumni and members of campus administration, including Chancellor Gene Block's wife, Carol. Ric Coy, Assistant Director of Student Services and Ashley Armstrong, Director of Student-Athlete Development, educated the student-athletes with a presentation regarding appropriate social behavior, including dinner etiquette, suitable dress and formal introductions.

After the presentation, the student-athletes were given the opportunity to put these guidelines to practice during the formal four-course meal. During the course of the evening, student-athletes were given an opportunity to network and socialize with alumni, administration and staff members in attendance.

"I really enjoyed learning table manners and talking with alumni who gave me good advice," commented true freshman wide receiver, Kenneth Walker.

The etiquette presentation allowed the student-athletes a chance to learn and hopefully apply these practices in future formal gatherings. The student-athletes were presented with valuable professional and social techniques with the help of many respected members of the UCLA community.

"I had an awesome time getting to know the alumni who were sitting at my table," remarked freshman Carl Hulick. "The freshman etiquette dinner was an awesome opportunity to reinforce what my Mom has been telling me my whole life. Who knew that you were supposed to scoop soup away from yourself to prevent it from dripping?"

The football program placed 21 true freshmen on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll during the Fall 2012 quarter.