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Why come to a game watch party? The obvious answer is to watch the game. But for these four Bruins, the experience goes well beyond the game. Located in different cities across America, they each share how coming together at a game watch party reignites their Bruin spirit.
Celebrating with My New Bruin Community When I moved to Chicago in the spring of 2011 I was excited to be near all of my favorite Chicago sports teams but worried about missing out on UCLA football and basketball games. I was fortunate enough to work for the athletic department when I was a student and spent many seasons camped out in front of Pauley Pavilion in order to claim premium basketball seating. I was excited to find a UCLA alumni chapter here in Chicago that met regularly for football season and in this group I've found a collection of friends whose Bruin blue and gold fan spirit runs as deep as mine. I always enjoy gathering together each Saturday during football season to cheer on the team with the friends that I've made through the group as well as meet new people attending a game watch for the first time. My favorite UCLA game watch memory took place on Nov. 17, 2012 when over a hundred fans gathered together at our official bar to watch UCLA begin a streak of three consecutive wins over U$C. We had the space decked out in blue and gold and performed the 8-Clap loudly for every score and defensive stop. When we finally clinched the victory the place erupted with high fives and cheers all around. As much as I would have loved to be in the Rose Bowl that day to see the victory in person, I appreciated getting to celebrate the win with my new UCLA community in Chicago.
Being Amongst Bruins is Refreshing It’s not every day you get to hear the UCLA fight song in our nation’s capital. But when the Bruins are playing, you can be sure that the Washington, D.C.-based alumni are tuning in and making some noise. Young and old, alumni, family and friends, we pack our local UCLA bar with blue and gold throughout football and basketball seasons. Each game brings back memories of Pauley Pavilion and the Rose Bowl – the friendly, animated faces around the room regale each other with tales of Westwood while cheering our team to victory as loudly as we would in-person. Game watches bring the UCLA alumni community in D.C. together through not just shared love of our alma mater, but because we know we’ll find in other Bruin fans that same down-to-earth, driven, optimistic spirit that we all aspire to embody as alumni of the greatest university in the world. In a dog-eat-dog, politically-charged place like D.C., being amongst Bruins is refreshing, inspiring and just the thing to keep us motivated to continue making the world a better place.
Game Watching Will Never Be the Same At first I was hesitant in joining Beachside Bruins and attending the kickoff game watch party. Who would I know? I graduated way back in the 1900s (LOL! That is what I say about myself. Really 1994!) I still keep in contact with my classmates, but they were not able to attend. Well, I am ecstatic that I went and I have not looked back. What was I thinking that I would not know anyone? A fellow Bruin is a friend. A fellow Bruin is UCLA family! The camaraderie was true UCLA Bruin Blue & Gold fun! The shouts of joy at great plays, the joint screaming at bad calls and of course the cheer that binds all Bruins - THE 8-CLAP! I now have new friends in my town to enjoy outings, social mixers and UCLA sporting events with. Game watching will never be the same. GOOOOOO BRUINS!
It’s About Friendship and Family Being a part of the UCLA watch parties is an experience that transcends expectations. I am an older alumna who was very active in the alumni group immediately upon graduation, but then life took over. About three years ago I ventured out with my family to a watch party. I thought, why not, could be fun and I need to get back involved with the greatest school of all time. From that day, I have not looked back. Our watch parties bring together Bruins from all ages. It is a family friendly event that inspires us to unite, share and root on our alma mater. It is a time of fun, food and friendship. We have the best 8-Clap in the world, led by yours truly. When you are at a watch party, it is a break from the day to day responsibilities and a time to just have fun. I had no idea how many friendships I would form. The really amazing thing about this group is that when you are not there you are missed. You matter and others look forward to seeing you. Of course you can’t forget the friendly rivalry and heckling. This is especially true with Oregon and those other people across town from UCLA, I can’t even write those initials. Fortunately, we have an amazing program so usually we are victorious and the other team will leave heads hanging low. Maybe that awesome 8-clap drowns them out? LOL So why come to a watch party? The easy answer is friendship, but there is so much more to gain. It really is a time that Bruins unite and relax. It is a time to catch up, make plans and have a “cold one.” It is an opportunity to network, cultivate, share, laugh and be Bruins. I am honored to be part of the UCLA family. It was a scary step to venture out to the first watch party not knowing anyone, but when I arrived, I was made to feel welcome. I was quickly embraced and felt like I was coming home to family. I started three years ago not knowing one person; today, I count several as friends. Watch parties begin this weekend. If you are not involved, make that first step. I promise you, you won’t regret it. GO BRUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ******************FIND A GAME WATCH PARTY NEAR YOU |
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