PISCATAWAY, N.J. — UCLA is fully immersing itself in an extensive eight-day journey to the East Coast. This trip has been a landmark for the top-ranked Bruins, who will participate in three games during this period. According to head coach Cori Close, it is the longest road excursion she recalls during her tenure at the college, especially considering it occurs in the midst of the season.
The journey kicked off with a triumph against No. 25 Baylor on Monday in New Jersey, part of the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic. The Bruins then proceeded to secure a second victory against Big Ten rival Rutgers on Thursday. Their East Coast adventure will culminate in Maryland on Sunday with a match against the eighth-ranked Terrapins.
Amidst the games against Baylor and Rutgers, the Bruins took some time to enjoy New York City. They embarked on a boat tour to the Statue of Liberty, visited beloved landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the 9/11 Museum, and enjoyed a Broadway performance of “Hell’s Kitchen.”
However, the adventure is not without its challenges. As UCLA operates on a quarter system, the athletes are balancing their academic responsibilities in between games. Compounded by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles that shifted classes to virtual learning, this academic quarter has been anything but typical.
Junior guard Kiki Rice mentioned that the team proactively communicates with professors at the start of the year to outline their schedules. “Professors are informed that we might not be able to attend classes due to travel or game commitments, but it can still be a challenge, especially since UCLA is a prestigious institution and we all take pride in our academic excellence.”
Coach Close views this trip, along with their earlier excursion to Paris at the start of the season, as vital educational moments in addition to basketball experiences. “We are essentially getting an education in 3D,” she remarked. “This adds tremendous value for our players, as they transition from learning about historical sites in textbooks to experiencing them firsthand. Standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower was a pivotal moment earlier this year, and seeing the Empire State Building was equally significant. While they may not focus on these experiences now, creating impactful memories is essential to my role as their coach.”
Close also seeks feedback from the team, particularly as this year marks UCLA’s first participation in the coast-to-coast Big Ten Conference. “We’re making some itinerary adjustments based on their input,” she added. “Adapting as we move forward will be crucial this year. We opted into this challenging conference because we want to compete at the highest level. While it undoubtedly presents difficulties, we are committed to navigating these adjustments.”
