BRIDGET O’BRIEN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Daniel
Guerrero, UCLA’s new athletic director, speaks to the
media alongside Chancellor Albert Carnesale on Friday. Guerrero
will take over for Peter Dalis.
By Vytas Mazeika
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
[email protected] The honeymoon period didn’t even last
a day. Less than 24 hours after being named UCLA’s new
athletic director, Dan Guerrero was already fielding questions
about the renovation of campus facilities and the fact that he has
never been in charge of a football program. Guerrero’s
answers at Friday’s press conference introducing him to the
media were general and reserved, noting his unfamiliarity with the
intricacies of the UCLA program. One thing Guerrero stressed was
his top priority: to develop a relationship with his new staff and
coaches. The specific challenges ahead should become apparent in
time, he said. Pressed for at least a general comment, Guerrero
said, “The challenge that we have is very, very simple.
It’s daunting, but it’s one that has existed here for
years. How can you maintain and develop a program that is one the
finest in the country, that graduates student-athletes at a high
clip, that can keep this program fiscally solvent, that
demonstrates a commitment to equity, to diversity to service to the
community and to the campus?” Peter Dalis, who retires June
30 to give way to Guerrero, notes that times have changed. When
Dalis took over in 1983, there was no drug testing, the NCAA
academic performance requirements were not as stringent and Title
IX had not yet depleted UCLA of multiple men’s scholarships.
“It’s not the same job. It’s not the same
work,” Dalis said. “The economics are not the same as
when I entered the job at all.” Guerrero did an exemplary job
of adjusting to the times by becoming the driving force behind $38
million of newly constructed or renovated facilities during his
10-year tenure as athletic director at UC Irvine. Yet to target any
buildings at UCLA, Guerrero hinted of changes in the horizon.
“There has been a methodical movement toward improving the
facilities in this campus that I think is very positive,”
Guerrero said. “And once I get in here I will continue to go
forward and see what options exist for improving the
facilities.” One facility not likely to appear on campus is a
football stadium. Guerrero explained that one only need walk around
UCLA to know there is no room for something like that, though
Guerrero did not rule out the possibility of playing at another
facility besides the Rose Bowl. Student apathy at UCLA could also
be a challenge. Guerrero dealt with the same obstacles at UCI by
creating the CIA (Completely Insane Anteaters). The fan-oriented
organization gave away In-N-Out burger coupons and lift tickets to
Bear Mountain to those who came to sporting events. Then, over
time, a massive following was created. “There was no student
body that was more apathetic than Irvine,” Guerrero said.
“The involvement of your student body as spectators at your
events is vital. It’s indicative of a strong, vibrant
athletic program.” Guerrero was even able to pass two student
referenda. The increased quarterly fees helped with funding and
proved Guerrero could get students to buy into his master plan.
“I hope the sports program becomes one aspect of the
school instead of a defining factor,” said Hector Leano, a
first-year undeclared student. “I hope the new athletic
director changes things up a bit.” Guerrero tried to divert
concern regarding his lack of experience with a football program by
citing his move from Cal State Dominguez Hills to a much bigger
campus at UCI. That did not prove to be a liability, and Guerrero
expects the same result at UCLA. “So as you look at the
situation with football, I’m not coming here to pass plays
from the press box to (football head coach) Bob Toledo,”
Guerrero said. “Unless you want me to,” he added, with
Toledo in the room. Guerrero began his press conference by quoting
Admiral “Bull” Halsey: “There are no great men,
only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances
to meet.” Guerrero considers himself such an ordinary man
““ one who recognizes UCLA’s impending challenges will
not be solved without the support of those around him. “I can
come here with the greatest vision in the world, but if I
don’t have any buy-in from my coaches or our
student-athletes, if I don’t have any buy-in from my staff or
the administration or the community, it’s a vision
that’s not going anywhere,” Guerrero said.
Reports from Jessica Bach, Daily Bruin Contributor.