It’s been about seven months since I’ve last been on
these pages and since a fateful night when three of the five sports
staff writers escaped an out-of-control burning big-rig barreling
down a dead-ended street known as the Sports section.
But in this, my farewell column, I will focus on the good,
because the good is good. Writing for the Daily Bruin has been a
positive experience for me, and has allowed me to travel to exotic
places (like Ohio State, Indiana, and Houston), witness great
football games down on the field (although usually the cheerleaders
mysteriously got in the way), and meet some of the top athletes in
the nation (like Dave Parker, UCLA basketball’s all-time
leading shooter).
I’ve seen a lot covering football during its great streak
and its great slump. I’ve seen a Farmer, a Sailer, and a
Foster (ya know, someone who fosts). I’ve seen more
“Mcs” than on that famous fast food menu (ya know,
Burger King). I’ve seen the wrong quarterback’s name
get butchered in the Daily Bruin (See ya, Lossman). I’ve
learned that when there is no controversy, the media finds some
anyway (Hello, Bill Plaschke). I’ve seen the epitome of a
heart-breaking loss and then constantly heard about it on the radio
(Thanks, Will Smith). I’ve seen total jubilation in the
locker room and I’ve seen tears.
I’ve seen a player snap his femur, compete for a Heisman,
score four touchdowns against USC, crack his ribs, kick a
game-winning field goal, execute a trick play, talk trash and back
it up, get run over by Dayne and James, and score a wacky touchdown
in his hometown as a walk-on. I’ve seen a great man and a
great coach motivate his players and lead them to victory.
I’ve seen a lot and it’s been a great ride.
And before I go, a few words to the team I’ve worked with
over the years.
To Traci, thanks for giving me football so quickly and good luck
at the L.A. Times.
To David, you’re the nicest guy but oh so threatening.
To E-Love, my first football editor, where the hell have you
been lately?
To Greg, you did say one funny thing over the years, about the
weasel. Ha ha ha.
To JV, you don’t work for the Bruin. Why are you in this
column?
To Pauline, good luck in getting The Bruin back to the high
standard it should be at.
To AJ, the leader of Monty’s Kids, you’re a crazy
kid and one hell of a shooter.
To Britney Spears, you’ve been a great girlfriend. Good
luck on tour.
To Moin, you did a great job covering basketball, and
that’s the brutal truth.
To my mom and dad, you have been a huge part in what I’ve
done.
To the Bruin sports section and its readers, sorry La Resistance
never went through. And I still want my punch and pie.
And to all the athletes and coaches I’ve ever interviewed,
thanks for all the quotes and thanks for making UCLA the top
athletic school on the planet.
They say never end on a quote, so that’s what I’ll
do. As Stanley Goodspeed says in my favorite movie,
“I’m good to go.”