Battling Bruins
The Spirit Squad continued our ambassador efforts this month with a new program — Battling Bruins. Inspired by our work with military service men and women, current Program Assistant of Special Logistics, Kayley, put together an outreach effort that honors people who are facing or have survived hardships, such as injuries, illnesses, disabilities and military service. Participants have an opportunity to share their story with the UCLA Spirit family and receive spirit packs from the UCLA Spirit Squad. Each month, a selected Battling Bruin is featured on the Spirit Squad website and invited to the Battling Bruins barbecue. The goal is to celebrate the strength and spirit of these applicants, and inspire other Bruins who may be facing hard times. Check out our first Battling Bruin, Tyler, and please nominate a Battling Bruin in your life!

Basketball Madness
March Madness is here and your UCLA Spirit Squad will represent UCLA at both the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Tournaments. They both performed great at their PAC-12 Tournaments, each making it to the title game, but falling short against Oregon (men) and Stanford (women). Be sure to come out and support UCLA for the Big Dance. The men are seeded sixth and set to play the University of Minnesota this Friday at 7 p.m. in Austin, TX. The Lady Bruins are seeded third and will play Stetson University on Saturday at 10:40 a.m. in Columbus, OH. Show your UCLA pride and cheer on your Bruins all the way to Atlanta and New Orleans!

Kelly and Michael, Cheer Squad
With members from a wide variety of cheer backgrounds, ranging from multi-year veterans to rookies, the squad has made great strides in both skill level and the strong bonds we have forged. Basketball season gave us the opportunity to highlight our advanced new partner stunts and pyramids as well as performing new routines for Bruin fans in Pauley. Our team members are motivated to improve their skills through the constant positivity and encouragement of fellow teammates. We are hard at work perfecting advanced skills such as cupies and full squad libs. Now that the season is drawing to a close, our team will forever cherish the memories we have formed together during this unforgettable season.

Lizzi and Kate, Dance Team
As basketball season comes to a close it would be easy to say our team’s hard work is over, however our team’s morale is higher than ever. We are so excited for the upcoming post-season travel and feel lucky to be a part of it. Our halftime performances this year were the best yet and we are excited to hopefully perform them again in the opportunities that lay ahead.

Kali and Danny, Yell Crew
Yell Crew has had an exciting season with the resurgence of football dominance in Los Angeles as well as an exciting basketball season for both the men and women. We are excited to have a busy March ahead of us. You have seen more of Joe Bruin outside of football and basketball games this year and you should be ready to support him in the Capitol One Mascot Challenge next year, as he is gathering the necessary materials for a run next football season. It’s not an election year, so Joe knows you will have plenty of votes to give to him later this year. Go Bruins!

Tiana
My favorite Spirit Squad memory is beating ‘SC! I can’t believe I got to experience being on the field for that win my senior year. I also loved dancing in new Pauley Pavilion. Being one of only a few spirit squad members to have performed in old and new Pauley has made my last year on the team that much more special. After graduation I will be moving to San Diego, looking for a job and hopefully making it up to L.A. as much as I can to support my Bruins!

Francesca
I have nothing but fond memories of my time at UCLA, especially those I made while I was on the Dance Team for the 2010-11 season. It’s hard to choose my favorite memory, but one particularly special night was the Beat ’SC Rally. As I performed, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for our school and a deep connection to my fellow Bruins. When I moved on to pursue a degree in dietetics, I knew I had to find a way to continue dancing and being a part of the stadium experience. When I heard about tryouts for the 49ers Gold Rush, I decided to take a leap of faith. I am pleased to say that not only did I make the team, but I also had the opportunity to cheer at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans! I am so thankful to the UCLA Dance Team for giving me the training and the confidence I needed to try out for the Gold Rush. I will always be a Bruin fan at heart and I will never forget the Eight-Clap!

Auditions
Sunday, May 5 | Pauley Pavilion

UCLA Alumni Day
Saturday, May 18 | UCLA

UCLA All Access Reception
Saturday, June 1 | The Exclusive Pavilion Club, Pauley Pavilion