The Trojan-Haters Club

Animal (House) Magnetism — The passing of the Pompom has taken place, but it’s not too late to celebrate the 2012-13 UCLA Spirit Squad

Toga!  Toga!  Toga!  The 2013-14 UCLA Spirit Squad has been carefully judged and meticulously assembled, and will start appearing and performing before you know it.  And I have complete confidence that they will carry on the long tradition of Bruin Superiority on the sidelines, at a unique time when both the UCLA Football and Basketball teams have a chance of matching that National prominence.  It could be a Golden Age.  But let’s not forget the excellence of the outgoing squad, who set the stage so elegantly for this year to be another smash success.

Below are 50 brand new, NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE photos from last year’s football game against Utah, concluding with Read the rest of this entry »

HOT JUDGE SUNDAY — In a dream come true, I was a Judge for the UCLA Dance Team Auditions on Sunday, and it was smokin’ hot!  Unfortunately, I am not allowed to post photos or discuss the process — However, I was NOT a Judge for the CHEER SQUAD Auditions, so you still get a taste of some of the cream-of-the-crop fresh newcomers that will grace the Bruin sidelines for the year to come

OH. MY. GOD.  Someone pinch me.  Am I dreaming, or did I just participate in the legendary selection process for the incomparable UCLA Spirit Squad?  After 40 years of admiring the beauty and grace of the Bruin Cheerleaders, and often wondering how in the hell the powers that be continuously attract and choose such stunning, talented, smart, and sweet students to represent my alma mater, I finally got to be a part of it.  And, I am just as impressed and amazed now as I ever was.

I’d love to tell you all the details and behind-the-scenes goings-on that lead to such dazzling results, but I signed a non-disclosure agreement that forbids me from sharing anything.  And since I was on the floor with the candidates, I was barred from taking any photos.  Not even the “Skittles Shot” of the whole group before the contest starts, where the rainbow of bright-colored outfits tantalizes your vision.   I’m sorry, but it was WORTH that sacrifice, just so I could participate, and have a voice in the vaunted selection process.  All I WILL say is that the Judges’ Panel is fully stocked with renowned experts, and that whole process is as professional and unbiased as you can possibly imagine.  Therefore, it is no surprise that the Squad ultimately selected is unparalleled anywhere in the whole Nation.  And the other thing I’d like to share is this:  I felt like this “job” making these rating decisions was the most important thing I have ever done, because of the long-lasting, ultra-serious ramifications.  Welcome to Judgment Day!

The process was extra-crucial this year, because the Spirit Squad loses several all-stars, who either graduated, or decided to “retire” in order to concentrate on study, or other endeavors, more intently.  The Dance Team (and I personally) will truly miss Kate, Lizzi, Nicolette, Maya, Tiana, and Natasha, and the Cheer Squad (and I) will never forget Kirsten, Sarah, Erica, Melissa, and Dana.  I can’t begin to tell you how sweet and charming they are.  Some of my best friends ever from the Squad are included in this departing group, and I sincerely hope they will stay in touch with me, and with the Program.

So your question now, is how did we do at replacing these exiting heroines?  The answer is an unequivocal Read the rest of this entry »

How Sweet — Starting off this month of May with more of the amazing grace and beauty of the UCLA Spirit Squad, as auditions for next year’s roster rapidly approach

It’s May 1st, and we will be saying goodbye to some UCLA Cheerleaders soon, since auditions for the next incarnation of the Spirit Squad are imminent.  Several of your all-time favorites will be graduating this year, and will therefore NOT be competing at the tryouts this weekend.  And often, some who are still eligible will decide to pursue other endeavors, and not return.  As always, it will be sad to see them all go, but on the bright side, there will be many open spots for newcomers.

And if history has taught us anything over the past decade, UCLA’s selection process — and pool of applicants — guarantees continuing quality, attractiveness, talent, and personality, unparalleled anywhere else in the Country.  This year’s panel of Judges promises to be the best, most sophisticated ever, so you can rest assured that the Squad is in good hands.

These 45 photos (from the Spring Showcase) feature 4 Dance Teamers who I believe are all Read the rest of this entry »

Led by Hundley and Barr, the Bruins show off their well-stocked roster at the Spring Scrimmage, with more stars still to come in the Fall

UCLA held their annual Spring Scrimmage on Saturday evening, and the talent on the field looked better than it has in a long time.  Usually, that sentence would mean that I’m talking about the Cheerleaders, but this year it includes the Cheerleaders and the Football players.  While several gorgeous Cheer Squad members and 4 stunning Dance Teamers graced the sidelines with immeasurable talent, Brett Hundley, Anthony Barr and their teammates showed similar talent on the field.

Even with the absence of RB Jonathan Franklin and DL Datone Jones — who were both in attendance at the Scrimmage despite being drafted by Green Bay this week — the Bruins look solid up and down the roster.  It wasn’t easy to truly judge much from the day’s activities, since it wasn’t a real game.  Instead, they did a lot of drills, and when they were in game situations, NO TACKLING was allowed.  Therefore, I can’t really tell you if the replacements for Franklin can break tackles.  But Read the rest of this entry »

No Trojan Buzz — The 1st Round of the NFL Draft has UCLA’s Datone Jones going to Green Bay, but not one single trojan gets called, much to the chagrin of Robert Woods and Matt Barkley, the latter of whom might get barely more than a cup of coffee in the League before he’s done

Did Matt Barkley’s “unfinished business” include falling completely out of the 1st Round of the NFL Draft?  If so, then, “mission accomplished.”  Thursday night’s affair concluded with not only Matt Barkley being passed over, but also with Robert Woods and every other hopeful trojan being completely ignored.  To make matters worse for u$c fans, they had to watch as Bruin D-Lineman Datone Jones got selected by the elite Green Bay Packers at #26.

Barkley, had he left SC after his Junior year like he should have, would have most likely been picked with one of the top 5 picks, making him a helluva lot more money than he will get now, as a 2nd Round selection.  But that’s okay, it’s not about the money — Barkley now will forever have the indelible memories of guiding the trojans to the most disappointing season in the history of college football, as the preseason #1 trojans dropped an unprecedented 6 games, including a humiliating lower-tier bowl game loss after Barkley got sacked and knocked out by Anthony Barr in sc’s painful 38-28 loss to UCLA.

With Barkley deteriorating all season long and ending it with an injury, it’s no surprise that Read the rest of this entry »

Here are 36 more USC Cheerleader photos from the Swim with Mike Charity function and Trojan Spring Scrimmage, meant to inspire you to donate generously at swimwithmike.org

As the tragedy in Boston illuminates clearly, lots of people suffer unfairly due to circumstances beyond their control.  And, many people respond heroically in these situations.  And here is a chance to respond heroically to the tragedies that have affected the student-athletes who will be aided by the Swim with Mike Foundation — Donate to this charity, and help these young people go to college and lead happy, productive, successful lives.

Enjoy these 36 photos, click on them to enlarge, and then Read the rest of this entry »

The Rivalry hatchet stays buried this week, as we celebrate the best USC has to offer, all in the name of charity

Just because they possibly made a misguided choice on where to matriculate, doesn’t mean they aren’t attractive people with good hearts.  That belief is borne out again today, as I share with you the second batch of photographs from the 2013 Swim with Mike Fundraiser.  On Saturday, the Trojan Song Girls slipped on bikinis and jumped into the pool for an Innertube Relay Race, all to raise money and awareness for a worthy cause.  The Swim with Mike Foundation gives the proceeds to severely injured students so that they can attend college and go on to succeed tremendously in life despite their tragic setbacks.

You too can donate, at swimwithmike.org.

Meanwhile, you can enjoy the 50 photos I posted yesterday, and the 36 at the end of this article.  Click on the photos to enlarge them, and Read the rest of this entry »

Gentlemen $tart your engine$ — Donors lap it up, as the USC Song Girls kick it into (swim)gear, and are the spark plugs behind proceeds for the Swim with Mike charity overtaking $750,000 by Noon

It’s not too late to join the race… the race to help students who have sustained catastrophic injuries but still have the courage to go to College and chase their dreams of success and superior productivity.  That’s who the beneficiaries are of the Swim with Mike charity, which held its annual fundraiser at USC on Saturday.  You can contribute by going to swimwithmike.org and ponying up some dough.

Today I will share 50 photos from the event, and over the next week or so, I will be sharing hundreds more, most featuring the USC Song Girls, and the Trojan Dance Force.  Yes, today I capitalize my arch rival’s school name and nickname, temporarily putting aside the contempt, all in the name of a very good cause.  Sometimes it’s hard, as a few of the speakers at Saturday’s event bragged arrogantly about the “glory” of USC, and even took potshots at UCLA.  I had to bite my tongue, to avoid an ugly scene.  But I was DYING to remind them that this charity is supported by many, many people from schools other than SC, including, yes, UCLA.  My coverage of this event has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people — make that hundreds of thousands of POTENTIAL DONORS — who undoubtedly help push the proceeds up into the millions.  Some of these Trojan speakers should try to Read the rest of this entry »

From Cooper, Mike to Cooper-Dyke:  Classless to Clueless — u$c replaces foul-mouthed loser Michael Cooper with ex-trojan Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, who had previously been busted by the NCAA for PAYING HER PLAYERS.  Where could she have possibly learned THAT?

U$c Athletic Director Pat Haden was supposed to clean up the cesspool known as SCum Athletics.  Following the sleazy Mike Garrett/Pete Carroll/Tim Floyd Era, it should have been easy for the renowned Rhodes Scholar.  Just jettison all the disgraced liars and cheats, and bring in some people with integrity.

It’s been a few years now, but nothing has changed.  Lane Kiffin is still calling the shots for u$c Football, despite all his NCAA violations in the past, and despite all his scuzzy actions last season, including lying about his vote in the Coaches’ Poll, throwing an authorized, professional Journalist out of practice for truthfully and accurately reporting an injury, illegally changing jersey numbers to deceive Colorado, and deflating footballs against Oregon.  Considering Kiffin led the trojans to the most disappointing season in the history of the Sport (a Preseason #1 losing an unprecedented 6 games), it seems like Haden had all the ammo he needed to unload his walking violation of a Coach, as the big-money supporters have been clamoring for Lane’s dismissal.  But Kiffin inexplicably remains.  Could it be that Haden secretly loves cheaters?

But it’s not like Tim Floyd is still the Coach of the Basketball team, after getting unceremoniously dumped after the SCandal concerning the bags full of cash that he or one of his cronies allegedly gave to O.J. Mayo.  Wait a minute — Haden DID actually speak to Floyd about RETURNING as Coach.  Looks like Haden can’t resist ”smarmy.”

Which brings us to his latest hire:  Former trojan Basketball star Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.  Replacing Michael Cooper was a no-brainer, as that no-brainer had an 11-20 record last year, and showed his total lack of class a couple of years ago when he announced to the Press Read the rest of this entry »

Get your game on, go rate — The Fox Sports West Girl contest is coming to a close, so please click on the link below, and give Katie 5 stars.  You can go today, and again tomorrow, before the polls close

[NOTE:  RATING IS NOW CLOSED.  IF KATIE WINS, I WILL LET YOU KNOW.]

http://girls.foxsportswest.com/profile/151/popularity/

Hurry — Time is running out.  Katie is in a tight race with two trojans, and there are 7 other girls (including two MORE trojans) nipping at her heels.  We need all the help we can get.  Please go vote right now, and then vote again with another browser, then go again on Monday and repeat the process.  Please post this on Facebook, and get all your friends to vote.  It’s time to roll out the heavy artillery!  Let’s help Katie get over the top!!!!!  Don’t forget — you “vote” by rating Katie with FIVE STARS!!!!

Luscious Katie boldly goes into the Final(ist) Frontier, as the only Bruin left in the Fox Sports West Girl Contest, where 4 of the 10 Finalists are trojans — Please go to Fox Sports West EVERY DAY for the next week and give Katie 5 Stars

http://girls.foxsportswest.com/profile/151

Congratulations to UCLA’s own Katie, who just made the FINALS of the Fox Sports West Girl competition.  Now it’s time to help push her over the top.  Everyone needs to go to the link above, and rate Katie with FIVE STARS.  You can go once a day, every day until the contest is over on the 8th.  Fan voting accounts for 50% of the judging, so I need every single reader to please take a few seconds a day and help Katie out.

If you have more than one browser, like Internet Explorer AND Google Chrome, you can go every day, with each browser, thereby getting her two 5-star ratings every day.

FOUR of Katie’s 9 competitors are u$c supporters.  Do you really want more Trojans on the TV station that carries so many Bruin games?  Let’s keep those Trojans off the air, and get Katie the position she so rightfully deserves!

Here are 7 photos that illustrate Katie’s visual qualifications… Read the rest of this entry »