LA Times readers celebrate UCLA women’s basketball’s title win
Four years in the past, on the McDonald’s All-American recreation, future Bruins Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez stood facet by facet on the finish of the competition, having been named co-MVPs. It was the primary time the 2 MVPs of the annual occasion had been headed to the identical faculty program.
Now, as the one remaining members of UCLA’s 2022 No. 1 recruiting class, they’ve reached their final objective: an NCAA championship. Their work ethic, their excessive character, their loyalty, and the pleasure they absorb sporting the 4 letters on their jerseys will lengthy be remembered and appreciated. With fellow senior and graduate-student teammates — Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalic, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkensall transfers from former Pac-12 groups — they’ve put themselves into the Bruin file books.
To this superior group of younger girls: Thanks for the reminiscences and the enjoyment you might have dropped at Westwood. You shall be missed.
Sandy Siegel
Sherman Oaks
After witnessing their first-round victory in individual, the UCLA girls regarded able to make a run within the NCAA event. What we noticed was a approach to compete in any model of play. There was somewhat little bit of every little thing. But clearly they had been the most effective group. Congratulations in your first title. I am unable to wait to see the banner hanging within the rafters. Being a lifelong fan of UCLA sports activities, it simply seems to be proper whenever you see it in lights. UCLA BRUINS, NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
David DeLong
Thousand Oaks
As a Trojan alum, it was awkward, however nonetheless, I used to be elated to see UCLA knock off USC. Party on!
David Marshall
Santa Monica
The UCLA women’s basketball group’s first NCAA nationwide championship was particularly candy as a result of they needed to defeat USC within the title recreation!
Nick Rose
Newport Coast
Long stay the Pac-12 Avengers!
Mark Ryan
fullerton
what a great article on Gabriela [Jaquez] by Mirjam [Swanson.] I simply so cherished rooting for this UCLA women’s group as a result of they’re such great individuals in addition to gamers. Having stated that, Gabriela would have been my selection for MVP, however I’m positive with Lauren [Betts.]
Michael Reuben
Anaheim Hills
It was refreshing to observe the postgame after UCLA soundly defeated the University of South Carolina on Sunday. Everyone was crying — gamers, coaches, losers as a result of they misplaced, winners as a result of they received. This was a lot nicer than the indignant confrontation between coaches on the finish of the South Carolina-UConn recreation on Friday, after which [Geno] Auriemma petulantly stalked off. As in politics, girls appear to do it higher with out males.
Henry A. Hespenheide
Beautiful Beach
Remembering Lopes
Growing up in LA in the course of the Nineteen Seventies, the picture of Davey Lopes sliding into second towards Dave Concepcion introduced again reminiscences of the Dodgers’ rivalry with the Big Red Machine throughout that decade. Being an enormous fan of these Dodger groups, a big coloration picture of the Dodger infield of [Steve] Garvey, Lopes, [Bill] Russell and [Ron] Cey adorned my DTLA workplace for a few years.
Davey Lopes was essentially the most thrilling of that nice infield and the inspirational chief of the ’74, ’77, ’78 and ’81 World Series groups. Not solely was he superior at stealing bases — he stole 47 on the age of 40 — but additionally hit for energy, as exemplified by his team-leading three homers and 7 RBIs within the ’78 World Series. RIP, Davey.
Ken Feldman
Tarzana
Garvey, Cey, Russell and Lopes. What an infield! I grew up with that group, and so they cemented my love for the Dodgers at a younger age. Every spring you could possibly rely on these 4 as starters within the infield. Davey Lopes It was simply excellent. A terrific base stealer who had over 500 steals in his profession. Always dependable at second base and on the plate. He was an All-Star his final 4 years with the Dodgers, culminating with the World Series win in 1981 over the hated Yankees. Davey, we’ll miss you for certain.
Dave Ring
Manhattan Beach
Davey Lopes was the heartbeat of these nice Dodgers groups — grit, intelligence, and pure pleasure each time he reached base. For followers who grew up watching that legendary infield, his passing feels deeply private, however his legacy will endure.
Steven Ross
Carmel
Championing followers
I had the privilege of attending Major League Baseball possession conferences for a decade. Moreno Art and his then group president, John Carpino, had been absolutely the leaders in advocating that MLB wanted to be as financially fan pleasant as potential. In my opinion, the Angels absolutely again their need to have a sustainable and cozy fan expertise by providing a beautiful game-day fan expertise.
When I’m able to attend an Angels recreation, I don’t hear complaints about parking prices, concession costs or ticket costs. The stadium workers at each stage are merely great and at all times so welcoming. And whereas I’ve no stats, the variety of households and youngsters in attendance seem vital.
Should the group ever come below completely different possession, I hear that one of many below tapped values of proudly owning the Angels is the flexibility to extend ticket and associated revenues. The confirmed concentrate on having a sustainable fan recreation expertise is the only real dictate of the proprietor.
Lew Wolff
Los Angeles
sticker shock
After taking the time to join LA28 with the hopes of getting a possibility to purchase tickets for the Olympicstogether with tickets to the opening ceremony, I used to be significantly disenchanted after receiving a time slot for purchases to be taught that opening ceremony tickets had been “currently unavailable.” In additional checking for different alternatives to buy fairly priced tickets, I used to be additionally disenchanted to see that the most affordable tickets obtainable for among the high-interest sporting occasions had been within the a whole lot of {dollars}. It does not seem like the plan to have locals buy tickets and fill the seats for the venues goes to work out the way in which LA28 thought it might. Shame on them.
Ruthanne Rozenek
Los Angeles
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