Senior Day -- Keeping it Bruin Classy
by Class of 66 on Feb 26, 2010 8:06 AM PST
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PrintSenior days are always poignant for me. They mark the passing of time, and in some cases the passing of dreams.
Some players have exceeded expectations. Some have not. But all stayed 4 years and are now Brother and Sister Bruins.
Senior night is a time to acknowledge that transition.
Some senior nights have come in games where there were league championships and tournament seedings at stake. Yet, all of our coaches have honored tradition and started the seniors -- even those who were weak and might put us slightly at risk. I like that tradition.
Tomorrow, the game will put little on the line.
But, during the pre-game there is a lot at stake -- our reputation as Bruins, as a community of class and decent people and fans.
Why the rant/lecture? Because there have been rumblings that some would like to use the night to "boo" one of our seniors. I really hope those were just frustrated words and that they do not turn into actions.
We've debated for the better part of the year that that senior was playing too many minutes and not playing particularly well. The debate has been robust and very appropriate. In the end, it is the coach who let him play those minutes, probably told him to take outside shots (or did not pull him when he did).
But, it is not appropriate to boo one of our own, on a night when he is to be honored -- probably with family next to him.
Whatever our feelings about any given player, our feelings about who we, as Bruins, are must control our behavior.
If the best you can do is politely clap -- politely clap. But, PLEASE, do not boo. It is just not the right thing to do.
Enough of my pontificating? OK, let me show you where my evil side has taken me.
I would not embarrass anyone during the ceremony. However, I do think we should celebrate "matador defense". Every time our player manages to come close to but not risk injury playing defense I think we should shout "Ole" just as the crowd at a bull fight shouts "Ole" when the matador avoids the bull.
I for one will do that in the game day thread. I think we should honor the matador in an appropriate way, and one that does not hurt his family's feelings or hurt our own reputation.
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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"some"
That was me in utter frustration in the first few mins of Washington game. I appreciate this post 66 and I was wrong about thinking Ragovic should be booed.
However, if I was at Pauley I would probably just stay silent when Ragovic is being introduced. He has cruised through 4 years of UCLA with scholarship(s) amounting over $100,000.00 while giving effort 5 percent of the time on the basketball court. He has not represented himself well off the court and has never shown a hint of sign that he actually cares about this school or the community around it.
I am willing to bet once he is done he is not going to care about UCLA and not stay involved with the community. UCLA was nothing more than a pitstop for him and I doubt he even cares about the tradition around this program and university.
So, sorry I am not going to pretend I will care about him tomorrow. I agree that “booing” will be wrong and I was wrong to say that he should be “booed.”
However, I disagree with the notion that he is someone worth celebrating simply because he has gone through the motions and lollygagged his way through a free ride at UCLA. He is not entitled to my respect and admiration just because he put on that jersey. He never showed respect for that jersey on and off the court.
lol
I am going to try hard to ignore him tomorrow. Honestly, I want to enjoy watching Roll tomorrow. Michael Roll has had great UCLA career and I think we should really celebrate that. Plus it will be Keefe’s last game.
Both of them have been Ben Ball warriors. Consummate team-mate players who have sacrificed themselves number of times and out the team above them.
Watching Rago playing last home game will be a relief. That’s the best I can say about him.
I Will Clap
(not that anyone will actually hear it from out here in the hinterlands, lol.)
It just seems to me that—while he may not deserve the praise we’ve had for other players who stayed for four years—Dragovic stayed, played, and kept his grades up enough to be able to do so, when others who had problems took the easy, cowardly way out and quit.
That’s just me.
Love My Bruins
+1
Thanks for the post 66. I was thinking about this at last night’s game. Senior day should always be special — even in a down year & without “superstar” seniors.
I am disappointed that the crowd will likely be a light to send off kids like Mike Roll & James Keefe. They’ve given their all in Bruin jerseys and deserve a warm send off. Roll has embodied the heart and passion I wish all of our kids would display. Keefe has had a tough go of it, but always played hard and put his team before himself (2007 – WKU). I feel bad that it has ended this way for both — a down year and Keefe’s injury.
Regardless of personal feelings, doing anything demonstrative in regards to Drag would cheapen the day and be unfair to solid kids like Roll & Keefe. I hope I’m wrong and we fill Pauley. These kids deserve, and have earned, our support.
My approach will be to cheer loudly when ND's name is called
Nik can think that I’m offering my appreciation for his efforts and accomplishments. He doesn’t have to know that I’m actually applauding his imminent departure. It’s a win win.
by LVBruin on Feb 26, 2010 10:45 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Perfect!
I also wish Keefe could start, just for 5 seconds, then get pulled out…
It’ll be great to see Mike Roll in his last game. Anyone else think Matt Damon would play him in the UCLA movie? :)
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I was just going to post the same idea
If nothing else, we can all applaud the last time that Drago is introduced in Pauley. In the same vein, the cheers that he receives at the customary ‘pull the senior near the end of senior night’ moment will be particularly heartfelt. We can all give Drago a standing-O at that moment!
formerly bruinhoo
If you can't clap, then at least do respectful silence.
Not necessarily out opf respect for Rago, but for every other person who donned blue and gold and who would spit nails if we ever dared boo someone wearing it.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
Now That I've Read
that Dragovic’s parents will be in attendance, having flown in from Belgrade, I sincerely hope that we show respectful appreciation…if only for their sakes, and if only because I simply cannot imagine the feeling of having my son met with stony silence—or worse—from the “family” he’s been with while he’s been so far from home for four years.
I have to believe that Nikola’s parents love him and that they are very proud of him. Their son is going to be a UCLA graduate, and that is huge.
Love My Bruins
+1 -- These types of things, like graduations are for the parents more than the kids.
Let’s make them feel good about allowing their son to go a long way from home to school.
It would break my heart if someone boo’d my daughter for having dropped a flag or rifle during a Color Guard competition.
I’m really pleased that all here seem to agree with M’s very powerful statement.
This is the floor with John and Nell’s name on it. We need to respect that, too.
sjh
thanks for the post 66
I wouldn’t boo a kid at graduation, and I wouldn’t boo a UCLA senior being announced on senior day.
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