Nine members of the UCLA Spirit Squad were fortunate enough to travel with Men’s Basketball to Beijing and Shanghai for the inaugural U.S. and China Sports and Culture Week. PAC 12 Commissioner, Larry Scott accompanied the team for this international initiative connecting China to the PAC 12. The students performed outside of their typical UCLA roles and choreographed solos, duets and more, to songs from The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, Ceelo Green and Beyoncé! We were very well received by the Chinese and treated like celebrities as much as the basketball team. Joe Bruin made quite an impression at The Great Wall!
The stunning city of Shanghai was hands down our favorite. We visited the highest observation deck in the world and looked straight down to the street through the glass floor. It was an opportune moment for an 8-clap. The team went undefeated, but all of the students did a wonderful job embracing the Chinese culture and proudly representing UCLA and the U.S.
Summer is not for vacationing in Spirit Squad Land. After a few weeks of summer, the team reconvened in July to begin preparing for football season. Boot Camp brought an intense week of training, choreography, guest speakers and programming. Time was spent fine tuning performance routines and fitness, as well as learning about safety, public speaking, nutrition and more. Two of this year’s priorities include team building and goal setting. Due to their incredibly busy schedules, it was extremely valuable for the team to connect and really get to know each other. The students were inspired to hear directly from Spirit Squad alumni who were excited to share their stories as well as urge the squad to make the most out of each and every opportunity whenever they put on their uniform.
As Coach Mora leads the football team on the field, the Spirit Squad leads UCLA fans at all of the games, home and away! Come cheer on our Bruins at exciting away games which include trips to Colorado, Berkeley, Arizona State and Washington State. Each away game kicks off early at the Bruin Bash, where the Spirit Squad will perform, mingle and take photos with fans. Here’s to a strong season! Go Bruins!
Sponsored by Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, the Thousand for 1,000 Scholarship Drive raises funds to provide our promising young minds the financial help needed to level the playing field and assist them in becoming the leaders of tomorrow. With the help of a thousand people contributing $1,000 each, we can reach a million dollars to help achieve this goal. Proceeds directly benefit the Spirit Squad. Donate today!
The team hit the streets of Westwood in the middle of the night for this year’s photo shoot and the results are exciting! Posters can be purchased online or you can have your poster personalized and autographed at football and basketball games!
PaulaProgram Assistant, Executive Liaison - Assist the Student Leadership Team with their projects. I hope to make the UCLA Spirit Squad more recognized, not only through games and appearances, but through community service. I can’t wait to show supporters our dedication to the program and how much we do for the UCLA community.
NicoletteProgram Assistant of Community Outreach - In charge of Walk Like a Bruin and coordinating volunteer events for the squad in the Los Angeles community. Additionally, I am the executive leader of our Junior Spirit Squad and our newest team, the Bruin Sparkles. Stay tuned to our website for updates about these teams’ performances. Go Bruins!
NatashaProgram Assistant of Development - Increase and spread awareness of our Official Fan program in hopes of providing insight into how the UCLA Spirit Squad is operated and funded. In addition, I also hope to assist with the Thousand for 1,000 Scholarship Fund.
Danny and MelissaProgram Assistants of Special Events - Produces the full squad events, such as Family Day at the Rose Bowl, Homecoming and the All-Access Reception.
SarahProgram Assistant of Sponsorships - Renew contracts with previous sponsors and seek out new sponsorship opportunities. Responsible for obtaining, managing and organizing all donations for the Silent Auction at the All-Access Reception. I hope to increase sponsorships by 33%, as well as profits and the number of auction items. Above all, I am excited to have the opportunity to work with the other program assistants in developing new ways the UCLA Spirit Squad can give back to the community. For sponsorship information, contact me at uclaspiritsponsorship@gmail.com.
KayleyProgram Assistant of Special Logistics - Supervises equipment coordinators, assists with the Walk Like a Bruin program and plans the preparatory audition clinics.
MayaThe past four years of my life have truly been a blessing. I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious team representing the best university in the world. I have traveled to countless cities around the world, performed in some of the most well known stadiums, and even had the chance to personally witness our university’s most recent national championship win in San Antonio this past year. I get the chills just thinking about the history that occurred right in front of me. I am so honored to say I am one of the few who will have danced in the old and new Pauley Pavilion. My plans for after graduation will be to travel for some time and eventually end up working in the entertainment industry as a television host.
Jessie Christensen ’97Taking part in UCLA events is at the top of my list of favorite memories while a member of the UCLA Dance Team. Narrowing it to a single moment is quite easy, actually. The year was 1990 and the event was women’s volleyball. To be a part of not just any moment, but a national championship moment, was amazing! After graduation, I became the Director of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance Team, Fan Patrol and Jr. Jam Squad. I was also the Co-Director of the NFL’s Pro Bowl Cheerleading program, and as an Associate Producer for e2k Sports, I was able to assist with the development, production and staging of numerous NFL half-time shows both domestically and abroad. Currently, I am an independent contractor as my life is filled with my three beautiful daughters who take me to dance class, soccer games and swim team each week. As the alumni volunteer Co-Director of the UCLA Junior Spirit Squad, bringing this program to life fulfilled a dream. It’s my way of giving back to a program that gave so much to me. We hope you will be able to catch the Junior Spirit Squad on the sidelines soon.
| Nov. 3 | Homecoming - Football vs. Arizona, Rose Bowl |
| Nov. 9 | Pauley Pavilion Grand Opening - Men’s Basketball vs. Indiana State |
| Nov. 15 | Beat ’SC Bonfire and Rally - UCLA |
| Nov. 16 | UCLA vs. USC Fight Night, Los Angeles Athletic Club |
| May 18 | UCLA Alumni Day - UCLA |
| June 1 | UCLA Spirit Squad’s All Access Reception |
UCLA Spirit Squad | Phone: 310-206-0565 | Email: SpiritSquad@alumni.ucla.edu
UCLA Alumni Association, James West Alumni Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397.
Join and strengthen the network of more than 405,000 UCLA alumni.
This message was sent to [[pref_email_address]].
Change your email address | Unsubscribe.
© 2012 UCLA Alumni Association
