AJ Cadman Cadman was a two-year
assistant sports editor from 1998-2000 and a three-year men’s
basketball beat writer from 1998-2001.
I’d like to think that luck had everything to do with it.
My four-year career at the Daily Bruin has had its share of ups and
downs, from the moments I will never forget to the ones I long to
purge from my memory. Everything luckily fell into place, from when
I first got here until now.
As someone with little journalism experience walking into this
job, I now find myself calling it my livelihood after graduation,
following my dream to succeed at work I find to be more fun than
anything else on earth.
I still find myself gawking at the fact that I got to cover the
single most prestigious beat in the history of collegiate sports.
There’s nothing that quite compares to my experience covering
UCLA men’s basketball for three consecutive years ““ an
unparalleled feat that no one can or will match with the passion I
have.
Learning the ins and outs of the solitary reason I arrived in
Westwood to become a Bruin, I cheered and cried for this team. I
held my breath and pointed fingers. There were moments where I
wanted to jump out of my press row seat and rally behind “my
team.” And there were times when I did just that.
Essentially, they were mine for three years … and no one
else’s. I got to follow the guys I envied, the lucky ones who
got to realize their dream of playing for the Blue and Gold.
It’s been an honor and a privilege that will forever be a
part of my life.
I leave with my most prized possession, a collection of every
press credential from every game I witnessed in those three magical
seasons. Thumbing through them occasionally, I can close my eyes
and relive each and every game. Having a courtside seat at Pauley
Pavilion was a dream come true. To meet and talk history and life
with the Wizard of Westwood ““ John Wooden ““ was the
crowning moment in my brief career as a journalist.
For making my “job” the greatest thing I have ever
done in my life, I thank head coach Steve Lavin, the rest of the
coaching staff and the players, whom I feel so blessed to have
gotten to know. In their own way, they made me feel like a part of
the mystique that is UCLA basketball every day. It will be hard to
find another job that could possibly top this one.
To Bill Bennett, Marc Dellins and the rest of the sports
information department, you all are a godsend to writers like
myself. I hope to continue the approach I have brought to my
profession and quell any doubts that I will transform myself into
the stereotypical sportswriter.
To Jeff, Moin and J.V.: You are three of my closest friends
““ guys I consider brothers ““ and I thank God every day
for that. You have provided me so much strength and confidence to
strive to become the best person I can be in any endeavor. No
matter what happens to us from here on, I’ve got your backs
for life.
To Dave Denicke: We’ve been through a lot together, and I
hope the laughter never stops. From our strolls down a street, to
numerous chats about the opposite sex, to the infamous fire,
you’ve always been someone to whom I can turn for anything. I
have faith that life will serve you well in whatever your future
brings and hope that we reunite one day on the set of
SportsCenter.
To head coach Kathy Olivier and the UCLA women’s
basketball team: I hope that my game helped you improve, because
you guys definitely made me a better and smarter player. And to
Jenny Hatch: Thanks for thinking of me two years ago. The
experience and our friendship is something I will never forget.
To Amber: Thank you for being a good friend from Day One. We may
have lost each other at times along the way, but somehow, I think
we will always touch base. You’re like a sister to me; always
keep your Bay Area roots.
And finally to Christina: Because of you, I will forever believe
in magic and dreams coming true. I’ve learned patience and
perseverance. I think I know now what the meaning of love really is
and that fate and destiny decide everything. There will always be a
part of my heart that belongs to you and a part of me that may
never let go.
In closing, “Keep your feet under you and your shoulders
square. Keep your head up and always keep moving. And when you let
go, follow through.”