Bruin Bites: Law School Money Debate, Cantlay Update, Soccer Notes, Double the Jordan, and Terrence Austin Makes Case for Roster Spot
by Bellerophon on Aug 25, 2011 8:29 AM PDT
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That's right folks, it's Thursday and we're just two short days away from the weekend, and thus, one more week closer to the kick-off to UCLA football. Since we checked in at the beginning of the week, we've covered football practices (here and here) with our regular Spaulding Roundup section, highlighted the winner's bracket in the popular UCLA name associate off-season game, discussed the on-going QB competition and the possibility that Rick will use both Brehaut and Prince in the season opener, and generated quite a conversation and debate on possible replacements for Neuheisel if he isn't able to turn the program around this season and is given the axe.
And with that, let's turn to your bits and pieces of news from around the UCLA-iverse:
- We start this week with academic news. Following up on the generous donation to the UCLA School of Law by Lowell Milken, a former Wall Street pariah barred from the securities industry by the SEC (no, not the football lovin' Southerners, the Securities and Exchange Commission), it appears it's caused quite the rift in the law faculty. Given the declining state support for the university, it's kind of impossible for the school to turn down $10 million, but at least one professor would have it that way. For a complete breakdown of the controversy and a profile of Milken, visit the New York Times' complete story here.
- In non-revenue news, UCLA golf sensation (and current No. 1 ranked amateur in the world) Patrick Cantlay will play in the Frys.com Open PGA tournament in San Martin after receiving the first sponsors' exemption. Cheers to Cantlay and his continued off-season hot streak.
- Video has surfaced of Rick Neuheisel rocking out to "Jessie's Girl" with a local band during an athletics fundraising event back in 2010. To watch the video, go here.
- Turning back to non-revenue notes, new women's soccer head coach B.J. Snow has the Lady Bruins off to a flying start, defeating Cal State Northridge 2-0. Of note was the fact that Snow started six first-year players, demonstrating the strength of UCLA's recruiting class (and showing us how bright the future is).
- Sticking with soccer, Soccer by Ives has a nice season preview of our men's soccer team with a quick rundown of last year's results and some interesting quotes from men's head coach Jorge Salcedo.
- Turning to hoops recruiting, Jordan Adams took a visit to UCLA. No, not that Jordan Adams, the current Bruin commit for Ben Howland's men's basketball program. This Jordan Adams is a 6'1" combo guard from Mater Dei that is strongly considering coming to Westwood to join Cori Close's women's basketball squad. Fox Sports' Rahshaun Haylock has some quotes from the Bruin recruiting target and Coach Close. Imagine that though, a Jordon Adams game-changer on both the men's team and the women's team. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
- In football news, according to the Washington Post, former UCLA wide receiver Terrence Austin is making quite the impression in camp for the Redskins and, at this snapshot in time, it looks like he'll land a roster spot, despite competition from NFL regulars Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth. Let's hope TA can make the cut and continue to produce for the Redskins like he's been doing in pre-season games.
- Finally, in an issue that we've been discussing for months, UCLA's kicking game is still undecided as redshirt freshman (and former heir apparent to Kai Forbath) Kip Smith continues to struggle with consistency. As a result, as the L.A. Times is reporting, Neuheisel is looking to punter and kick-off kicker Jeff Locke to handle FG duties as well. If Smith can't get himself put together properly, Locke may find himself pulling triple duty as the punter, kick-off specialist, and field goal guy. Let's hope he stays healthy.
And that concludes your Bruin Bites round-up of news and bits of information from around the UCLA-iverse. Fire away in the comment thread with your thoughts, links, and other nuggets of UCLA information.
GO BRUINS
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Always love the Bruin Bites
Thanks for putting it all together.
by RealisticBruinFan on Aug 25, 2011 6:10 AM PDT reply actions
The Milken donation
I hope people realize that the donation is from Lowell Milken and not Michael Milken. Both have made numerous donations to the school over the years, but this is the biggest yet.
The problem is obviously with the Milken name. The thing is, Lowell was not convicted of any wrongdoing in court. Sure, that doesn’t mean that his innocence was proven, but it is a step. Obviously the same can’t be said for him losing his seat on the exchange, but that can be just as much a matter of ethics as criminality. Many of the things that Michael Milken did were in fact not illegal at the time, they became illegal afterwards.
Furthermore, you have to remember who went after them: none other than Rudy Giuliani, who, as the Attorney General in New York at the time, was pretty ruthless and trying to make a name for himself. The rumor is that he threatened Michael that he would go after his family if he didn’t start singing. No way to corroborate that, but these things usually have some underlying truth.
Finally, this sure seems to be a case of someone trying to clear his name for posterity. Some may think it would be hypocritical for a business law building to be named after him. But there is something to be said for redemption. And if anything, it could be viewed as a case of newfound respect for the law. It reminds me a bit of the “Catch me if you can” story, where Abignale, after his decades of financial crime, joined the FBI to catch fraudsters.
I for one am ok with it and find it a bit haughty and snobby for professors with a “holier than thou” attitude to stand against the donation. Couldn’t this be viewed as “Community Service”? As in, you know what, I may have done some shady things [allegedly], but this is how I would like to repay society. Let’s get off our pedestal, shall we?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
As a vocal advocate for walking away from revenue, I have two points to make.
First, I am not actually Ms. Stout of te UCLA faculty and just masquerading as a portly retired guy in Geezerville.
Second, I agree with Tasser on this. I don’t equate Milken the younger to, for example, Rocky Seto. At worst, he’s Seto’s brother. I would take this pile of revenue.
And on the subject, at what point do we say that a person is rehabilitated, and his or her gifts or donations or comments or mere presence will be acceptable? I just passed my 20 year anniversary of my DUI. I think I"m rehabilitated, and can be allowed to comment on alcohol intake. So when would Michael Milken, the guy who was actually convicted, be deemed to be worthy of acceptance into the community? (Real question, not rhetorical.) I see a fundamental difference between Michael Milken and OJ1 for example.
As a !975 grad of the Law School and a long-time contributor, I, too think it is fine to take
Milken’s donation. What any of this has to do with Rocky Set is way beyond me . If you actually knew Rocky, you wouldn’t be taking stupid potshots at him, Fox 71
Kokomo, do you know Seto?
I know Seto was the wrong choice for our DC, and that coaching with and admiring Carroll doesn’t speak highly. That’s what we know. If you want to defend Seto, then give Fox something concrete and we’ll have a rational discussion, rather than making snarky comments back and forth.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
The hypocrisy
about Michael Milken is stunning.
The fact is, the things that bankers have done in the last few years in the mortgage market are far more criminal and have actually affected millions of people in the US. Milken’s was a financial crime of limited scale (in terms of people it affected), theirs is nearly a crime against humanity.
Like I said, if anyone thinks his money is “tainted”, think about this: would you rather it be used to educate the next generation and teach them to behave ethically, or that he keep it to buy himself a mansion?
I went to NYU for grad school and the school had a big funding from Citgo, which is ultimately owned by none other than Hugo Chavez. You don’t hear a peep about that…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
This could be great for Locke
Neuheisel is looking to punter and kick-off kicker Jeff Locke to handle FG duties as well.
If he can prove that he’s up to the task on this, some team in the NFL is going to LOVE him.
Jordan Adams - Mater Dei
I first saw MS Adams as an eigth grader hrough her first 3 years of high school and 4 Summers of Club ball and she is as good as it gets. Outstanding players in the womens gqame come out of the OC and she is another in that list. Hopefully we get her as she can start for all four years barring injury.
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