A Fan's Guide to 2014-15 UCLA Men's Basketball Home Games
A year after posting a 28-9 record that included a 16-2 mark at home and Sweet 16 appearance, head coach Steve Alford and the Bruins open their season in Pauley Pavilion Friday night at 7:30 pm PT with a preseason exhibition contest against Azusa Pacific.
Led by key returners Norman Powell, Tony Parker and Bryce Alford, as well as three McDonald’s High School All-Americans set to take the floor for the first time in UCLA uniforms this season (Isaac Hamilton, Kevon Looney , Thomas Welsh), the defending Pac-12 Tournament Champion Bruins begin the regular season November 14 vs. Montana State, also in Pauley Pavilion, at 9:00 pm PT.
From the time Pauley Pavilion first opened its doors in 1965 to the time it reopened them in 2012 to today, the one constant making it one of the most iconic venues throughout the country has been the fans. Based on feedback we receive from our loyal and dedicated fans, UCLA is constantly evolving the game-day experience at Pauley Pavilion.
To coincide with UCLA’s 18 home games at Pauley Pavilion this season, we have compiled a list of 18 key features, enhancements and promotions to keep your eye on in 2014-15. And as always, remember to arrive early, wear blue and cheer loud!
Key Features and Enhancements
1. The most dramatic enhancement, announced at the beginning of the school year by Athletic Director Dan Guerrero and Head Coach Steve Alford, is the enhanced Pauley Pavilion seating program for UCLA students. The new seating initiative will greatly increase the number of contiguous student seats in the lower bowl of Pauley Pavilion for men’s basketball home games. Under the plan, student seating on the south sideline will run the entire length of the floor from section 113-117, while on the west baseline, student seating will now encompass sections 120-123 in their entirety. Section 222 in the upper level will remain dedicated to student seating. Ultimately, under the new initiative, nearly a quarter of all lower bowl seats will be dedicated to current UCLA students.
2. We are proud to invite all UCLA Men’s Basketball season ticket holders to an exclusive meet and greet with the team. Held in Pauley Pavilion on Sunday, November 9, this free event is an opportunity for season ticket holders to get an inside look at the 2014-15 UCLA Men’s Basketball team while allowing UCLA Men’s Basketball to thank season ticket holders for their loyalty and support.
3. Food trucks will be back at the South Plaza of Pauley Pavilion on gameday. The California Pizza Kitchen truck will be at each UCLA home game, while food trucks such as Komodo, Border Grill, India Jones, Crepes N ‘Around, Lobos Truck, Gastrobus, Green Truck, or Baby's Burgers will also be present on select dates.
4. The official UCLA Bruins Gameday App featuring UCLA Men’s Basketball is now available for download on iTunes and Google Play. The app includes live game statistics, live audio broadcast via TuneIn, scores from around college basketball, arena maps, seat upgrade ability, a social component, as well as all the information fans need to navigate a UCLA gameday at Pauley Pavilion.
5. BruWin Rewards, UCLA’s fan rewards program, has been improved with the introduction of a new mobile app accessible all year long at Pauley Pavilion. The app allows for an easier check-in process on fan’s mobile devices.
Promotions and Giveaways
6. Be at Pauley Pavilion Halloween Night October 31st, during UCLA Parents Weekend and UCLA Football Homecoming, to support the Bruins in their only preseason game of the season. All fans who attend in costume have a chance to be a part of a halftime contest and win great prizes.
7. For the regular season home opener on November 14 vs. Montana St., fans who enter Pauley wearing blue will receive a 2014-15 UCLA Men’s Basketball magnet schedule compliments of UCLA Health, official sponsor of UCLA Athletics.
8. All UCLA students in attendance for the regular season home opener November 14 will receive “crazy hair” headgear compliments of UCLA Athletics’ Wooden Athletic Fund donors.
9. On November 23 when UCLA takes on local foe Long Beach State, fans who enter Pauley Pavilion wearing blue will receive a 2014-15 UCLA Men’s Basketball team poster.
10. On December 7 vs. San Diego, fans who enter Pauley Pavilion wearing blue will receive a 2014-15 UCLA Men’s Basketball team photo.
11. Come early on December 13 vs. top-25 Gonzaga as the first 7,500 fans who enter Pauley Pavilion wearing blue will receive foam “spirit sticks,” compliments of Yogurtland, official sponsor of UCLA Athletics.
12. UCLA students who attend the January 8 match-up vs. Stanford will receive pom-poms.
13. It’s a “White-Out” on January 11 in Pauley Pavilion when the Bruins take on northern rival California. Each fan in attendance will receive white UCLA Basketball T-Shirts compliments of AT&T, official sponsor of UCLA Athletics. In addition, UCLA will also recognize the 1985 NIT Championship team, including legendary Bruin and Hall of Famer Reggie Miller.
14. On January 31, UCLA will recognize the 1965 National Championship team and the 50th Anniversary of our first men’s basketball national championship.
15. On February 14, UCLA will recognize the 1995 National Championship team and the 20th Anniversary of them capturing our record 11th men’s basketball national championship.
16. We will recognize the 1975 National Championship team on March 1, the 40th Anniversary of UCLA’s 10th men’s basketball national championship and final championship under legendary Coach John Wooden.
17. This season, Bruin fans 12 and under are invited to Jr. Bruin Days, where on specific game days, kids can shoot a free throw on Nell and John Wooden Court following the game, come early for pre-game autographs with the UCLA Spirit, get a UCLA tattoo and meet Joe and Josie Bruin on the northeast concourse. Jr. Bruin Days will occur on the following game dates: Sunday, Dec 7 vs. San Diego @ 4:00pm; Sunday, Jan 11 vs. California @ 4:30pm; Saturday, Feb 14 vs. Oregon @ 12:00pm; and Sunday, Mar 1 vs. Washington State @ 6:30pm.
18. When the opposing team misses two consecutive free throws during the last two minutes of either half, Yogurtland, official sponsor of UCLA Athletics, will give all fans in attendance a coupon for free yogurt upon exit.
The Bruins' 2014-15 men’s basketball season kicks off on Friday, October 31 at 7:30 pm PT in Pauley Pavilion with an exhibition contest against Azusa Pacific. UCLA's home opener, the first of 18 home games, will take place on Friday, November 14 at 9 pm in Pauley Pavilion against Montana State. Season tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now at uclabruins.com/tickets. For more information on tickets or the game-day enhancements and promotions, please call 310-UCLA-WIN (825-2946).