Wanted to make a comment or two about something someone is doing right to make the fan experience at games better (this should not be seen as a wider endorsement but just acknowledgement that some nice things are happening):

1. Someone decided to get serious about the National Anthems at the Men's basketball games. Flea for the opener at Pauley. But what I really like and think makes college activities special is that UCLA Music has been doing them lately. They have been fantastic. Violins. Trumpet. Saxophone (I think, could not see it). Congratulations to whoever came up with the idea. Really nice to see other parts of the UCLA community get highlighted and the movement away from NBA style experience.

2. Videos at the football and basketball games. Whether it is the 8-clap being done all over the world, the videos of a Bruin taking on silly renditions of our competitor's mascots, or last night's the 12 Days of Christmas, it is nice to see the creativity. More importantly, humanizing the players and exposing others from less popular sports is great.

3. The balance between the bands and piped in music at the football game against the Evil Empire: college sports is a better experience because of the hoopla that surrounds it. Too often this year, the Rose Bowl speakers have been filled with piped in music rather than letting the band perform. The balance was right at the final Rose Bowl game.

I would really encourage whoever is in charge of the entertainment around the football and men's basketball games to continue the trend: show us more and a wider slice of UCLA. Focus on the college experience rather than the unconnected feeling of professional sports. My 2 cents.