Senior Appreciation Post
by BlueReign on Dec 2, 2009 5:46 AM PST
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PrintBumped. GO BRUINS. - N
Photo Credit: Francis Specker (AP)
Its been a rough week for all that bleed Blue & Gold. But, I don't think we should forget the young men that laid it on the line on behalf of Bruins Nation, bringing us joy watching them take the field on Saturdays. I'd like to say THANK YOU for representing UCLA with honor and class to our Senior class:
Chinoso Anyanwu, Terrence Austin, Korey Bosworth, Kyle Bosworth, Reggie Carter, Kevin Craft, Nick Ekbatani, Gavin Ketchum, Chane "The Train" Moline, Ryan Moya, Logan Paulsen, Jerzy Siewierski, Trevor "Moose" Theriot, Alterraun "ATV/Old Man" Verner, Jess Ward, Aaron Ware.
Although he is not a Senior, Brian Price must be included.
Honarable Mention: Jake Dean, Brandon Bennett, Jeff Miller and Garrett Rubio.
Post whatever comes to mind whether it be a play they've made, an impression upon meeting them, a story read about them, etc.
51: "Heart & Soul" of not only our Defense but UCLA Football. Reggie's personal story has touched many and I'm sure I speak for us all in saying we wish him the best and we'll be watching you on Sundays. P.S. Those sucsters are lucky that the ref got in the way of #51.
ATV: I'll never forget him running towards me in the Rose Bowl against Cal in 2007 for a Pick 6 to save the day for the Blue & Gold. Mathematics-Applied Science major. A true "Student-Athlete" unlike the sucsters in Senorita Ross's class. Competed with Van Wilder for being in school for what seems like forever. :D
KC: I think he cost me a few years of my life but nobody can question KC's heart and unselfishness. How many people would continue to get back up time and again after the pounding he took last year on behalf of the team and UCLA? He will forever have a place in my heart.
BP: The moment I read about how BP handled Cheaty during a In-Home visit, I had a Man Crush. BP has dealt with a lot of tragedy in his life yet found the courage and resolve to continue to move on. I'm going to miss him wearing the Blue & Gold. I hope he destroys every single sucster he encounters in the NFL.
I hope we get to see our boys 1 last time and get to fire up another Game Thread.
GO BRUINS!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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I love these seniors
To me, they’ll be like Bozeman, Thompson and Hollins were for CBH. They won’t be like AA, JF, JS, LMR were, but they were instrumental in building the program thanks to hard work and buying into the new staff. While they won’t be around when we get back atop the Pac-10, they will have played a HUGE role in getting us there. Thanks to them all. I wish them nothing but the best in the future and I hope they stick around the program in the future.
Formerly ryebreadraz
I think I noted this one of the roundups
I loved how Chane Moline stuck up for his QB when Prince got lit up in the Washington game. He went after Butler (in a clean way) hard and did the same thing to Burfict in the ASU game when Burfict when after Prince too.
I got the sense that these guys really liked playing with each other. Despite the frustrations we were so freaking close. I mean can you imagine if ATV held on to that interception against Oregon State late in the game? Either way, I am pretty happy with how this season turned out. Hopefully it can extend one more game.
Big believer in Chemistry
After the UDub game, Rahim was interviewed regarding the pick that sealed the win. Rahim said something like Sheldon is his lil’ bro and that it was my job to watch after him. I’m pretty sure that Rahim knew all the slack Sheldon was getting from fans (including myself) and it was good to see him being a big brother to Sheldon.
I think our fast start had many Bruin fans with visions of success that we were quite not ready for. We didn’t have the right mixture of talent & experience. Some fans expect instant success, especially on offense considering we have CRN & CNC but I don’t think people really understand how gutted the program was by the prior regime.
There is no doubt in my mind we will get there. A bounce here and there and people would be looking at the program in a whole different light. I’m satisfied with the season and the development of the program. I really, really want another game. Besides seeing our boys one more time, we haven’t been able to reap the benefits of extra practice in previous years.
Thanks for not forgetting this, Blue
These guys deserve a ton of praise for all the gut-busting they’ve done. I am 100% proud of these guys. They are complete Bruins. I am a Bruin, too, I feel honored to have them as part of my Bruin heritage. I wish I could shake each one’s hand, and let them know how much I appreciate all they did and tried to do.
in praise of Kevin Craft
I dumped on him last season. So did you, probably. It’s telling that he was never first- or even second-team QB when there were other options. His stats last year were awful. That being said, he gave his all. He had no line in front of him. He threw INTs, he got sacked…but he kept getting up and going at it again. He put every ounce of effort he had on the field.
When he came in this year, it was in unplanned situations where he had taken few if any snaps in practice that week. He gave his all, and inspired the team, leading some good drives.
I may get hammered for saying this, but I see Craft as equal to a Ben Ball Warrior. He kind of reminds me of LM in this respect. Regardless of his physical skills, he gave everything every single time he wore the blue and gold representing UCLA.
formerly AZBruin
by KSBruin on Dec 1, 2009 7:58 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
looking forward
to seeing KC get this type of attention
http://sportsbybrooks.com/ucla-bruin-lorenzo-mata-has-his-pool-under-control-12428
It's one thing to PLAY like crap...
… and it’s a whole different thing to pull yourself up out of that crap and rally others around you while doing so.
Last year, Kevin Craft earned our laments.
This year, and for all time, he has rightfully earned our RESPECT, and our THANKS.
The guy manned up in almost tortuous circumstances — and I believe getting sacked DOZENS of time in one year to fit the Geneva Convention guidelines for torture.
Props to you, KC. If I ever recognize you in a bar in Westwood or Pasadena, I’m sending some buffalo wings your way.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
Staying the course
Craft did something a lot of people, young and old and in between, won’t do—stay the course when everything goes wrong. No quitting, no whining, not having your father, a coach himself, publicly critique your head coach—none of that. And because he was the starting quarterback last year, he was the face of a team with a bad record. Last year, I remember when the Rose Bowl public address announcer mentioned Craft’s name and the place was awash in boos (not me). And sometimes I thought CRN was going to have a stroke going off the deep end chewing out Craft when he would make a bad pass. And he took his hits from this community too.
But Craft stayed the course and helped move our team up from being an utter disaster (last year) to being bowl eligible (this year). He has been part of the long road back to victory.
Go Bruins!
by peggysue69 on Dec 2, 2009 10:53 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
It should be noted that
even though Craft never whined about the lack of an offensive line or other offensive playmakers, when he won us the Kansas State game (I think) he gave most of the credit to the o-line, saying that it was easy to make throws when you were well protected. That comment sold me on KC forever. Not once did he complain, and in his moments where he could shine, he always gave credit to other people. Makes me proud to be a Bruin.
Well-Stated, and Thank You
Kevin Craft is, truly, an honorable warrior with the heart of a lion, and he is, indeed, very much like LM. This young man is an inspiration to all team-sport athletes, of all ages. IMHO, he has an absolutely brilliant future ahead of him, regardless of what career he chooses.
That said, thank you to all of our seniors. You have been loyal and brave, and we shall miss seeing you in our Blue & Gold.
Love My Bruins
There were some I liked more than others
but that isn’t important here. They all without a doubt gave their all and fought hard for UCLA. For that, they will all have my undying appreciation and respect.
Go Bruins!
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
I would love to know
the personal story of Reggie Carter and what BP did in the in-home meeting with Pete! Anyone here have a link to them or know the story? I’m gonna miss those guys like crazy, but I have a gutt feeling BP will be back for his senior year (fingers crossed)!
by IIIIIDEEEEEAAAAAN on Dec 1, 2009 9:51 PM PST reply actions
+1
I’m sure a quick update with links to the previous fan posts will be fine.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
It's strange
that the only 2 UCLA football games i’ve been to were both senior days. In ‘05 and this year’s. I watched MJD, DO, and JC running up and down the field and was reminded of the sadness but pride of watching these guys i obsessed over for the last years in this last contest. My first game though was different because i was just becoming a diehard fan (I was only 11) and most of the players were unknown to me.
This year was an entirely different story, i remember when some of these players were being recruited or had 2 complete years of watching them under my belt. Man, i even remember when ATV made his true freshman start vs. Utah.
I’ll look back on these months when i’m older, and remember seeing this young kids start and now they’re getting their moment in the spotlight as grizzled veterans!
PS: the first ASU contest was an offensive showdown, and i believe DO broke the record for yards in a game, but this last game was the entire opposite
Great post BlueReign.
Bravo. Very Classy.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
ATV has been my favorite player
not only for what he has done on the field, but off it as well (but you guys already know). I was studying for a chem midterm in Kerchoff, when all of a sudden he pulled up into the seat right next to me. While he was studying, I took a little peek of what he was studying and was mesmerized. Some of the stuff he was learning was really complex and boggled my mind and I am truly proud that he is a true student-athlete. Best of luck to him in the league; I’ve never had a favorite NFL team having lived in LA my whole life, but after watching him at UCLA, I’ve decided to choose the team that gives him the chance to shine at the next level.
Math majors
Ridiculously smart. I was one for 2 quarters until I realized that despite getting 95% on a quiz, it was only good for a B+. Unbelievably competitive and ATV is a true student athelete.
by hongerelli on Dec 2, 2009 10:22 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
mIne too
Over the last four years when we were losing to like the Sisters of Little and No Mercy, I would watch Alterraun “ATV/Old Man” Verner just to marvel as he played great football. Footspeed, deceptiveness, jumping ability, raw speed, competativeness and tackling and with the sure knowledge he can explain the theory of relativity while reading a Roumanian comic book made him a great Bruin. He played with the character and intellect of great Bruins like Jackie Robinson and Gary Beban and all of this has been done before he turned 21 years old. And thanks to his family—we owe tham as we are endebted to him.
Congrats to them all but a special thanks to the old pro ATV.
Thank You
Thank you seniors for showing exceptional courage. I certainly have to echo Nestor on Craft. He took so many hits, verbal and physical, but he kept getting back up. He was always there ready to help the young players and ready to come into the game and give it his all. In fact, all the seniors deserve a lot of credit for sticking with it in this season of highs and lows. I wish all of you the best.
Thanks to all the seniors
They’ve been great Bruins all. I think Ryan/Raz nailed it – they’ve been the foundation of what will be a great rebuilding story that unfolds in the coming years. Here’s hoping we honor them all when we’re celebrating a national championship in a few years.
Louisiana born, California grown - bleed Blue and Gold, with a healthy dose of Purple mixed in.
by ucla84 on Dec 2, 2009 7:51 AM PST reply actions
ATV!
All class, intelligent, ball-hawk on the field, #1.
We’re gonna miss you son. Congratulations on graduating, and best wishes on your future endeavors!
Moya sat behind me in Sociology 20
my sophomore year. I sat in the same two seats with my girlfriend and he always sat behind me. The dude is hilarious. The class was soooo boring and he would make it 598 times more entertaining with his random comments and jokes.
ATV, I remember waiting to go into an English lecture in the math and sciences building. He walks out of a math lecture in the room I’m going into, fully concentrated on the work they’d just gone over, discussing it at length with other students, while sporting a huge silver “#1” chain around his neck. ATV, the posterboy of student-athletes, and I couldn’t think of a better person to represent the UCLA Football program. He balanced excelling at academics at a top university, while also excelling at a D-1 football program. Awesome.
by inhowlandwetrust on Dec 2, 2009 9:54 AM PST reply actions
Great Post! THANK YOU SENIORS
Very well done.
I especially have a lot of admiration for Kevin Craft. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he took a lot of hard knocks and bruises on the field and a lot of criticism off of it but always got up, dusted himself off and never complained. This year he took on his role as back-up to Kevin Prince and embraced the situation. He was a mentor to Prince and jumped right into action three times when KP was forced out of action. I tip my hat to this guy.
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Dec 2, 2009 10:25 AM PST reply actions
Thank you to the Seniors
for your class and dedication to our school.
We will continue cheering for you in the future, no matter what field you are on or in.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Normally when you get a #1 jersey...
… it’s just to say you had a jersey for that team, not for the player who actually HAS #1.
My son has some learning difficulties, but he is still really strong at math. The kid genuinely loves it more than any other subject. I was so glad to get him a #1 FB jersey in the True Blue right before the $C game because, one way or another, I could tell him that ATV always worked hard in school, was great in math, and never gave up when he played, even when things got tough (which was a lot). With Ms. M being a teacher, the fact that he stayed all 4 years even though he arguably could have been drafted last year means a LOT to her, too, and makes him an even greater example to our kids.
ATV is just one example of a player and a person who I’m PROUD to call a Bruin.
Sincere thanks to Alterraun and all of our seniors. God be with you guys down the road, and remember, if you need, you can always find your way back home to Westwood.
GO BRUINS!!!
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
Having some learning difficulties while being really strong at math
sounds like the perfect recipe for achieving great wealth :)
Too bad...
We couldn’t get a few more victories for Craft to brighten up his legacy. He deserved some more love for the heart he showed at every point during his career here. I truly hope he has an opportunity to come back as a graduate assistant, because having that kind of character around our team is never a bad thing.
by Captain Leebeard on Dec 2, 2009 3:28 PM PST reply actions
Craft
My best UCLA memory was of last years Tennessee game. I watched that game in a wooden shack serving as a chow hall in a tiny combat outpost just North of the Euphrates a few miles from the Syrian border. I had to get myself up in the middle of the night and watch it with a couple of shit talking Tennessee fans from another unit but after a really tough first half he came back and won it for us. Just amazing. He will always have my respect because he could take a hit and he never complained. He never blamed it on the O line or lack of a running game or recievers that were barely performing. He stayed true to his team and did his best every game. I like Rahim Moore but for me number 3 will always stand for Craft.
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