ACTION ALERT (Update): BN Forces Morgan Ctr To Remove Trojie MIMBO Item from Fundraiser

by bluestreet on May 2, 2007 4:12 PM PDT

Bumped. This is beyond pathetic. GO BRUINS. -N

UPDATE II: Great job guys! Morgan Center removed the MIMBO item from its auction!

This is what they have up now:

UCLA-USC Game Canvas, Autographed
06-07 Team & Coach Autographed UCLA Football Photographed Canvas

McDowell Autographed Framed Picture
Cy Young award winner Jack McDowell autographed framed photo.

Autographed #7 Arizona Cardinals Jersey
Leinart Autographed #7 Arizona Cardinals Jersey

Thanks again to everyone who called. Clearly they are paying attention to BN. Go Bruins!!!! - bluestreet

So the UCLA athletic department is having a "True Blue Celebration," which is nice.

But check this out. They are having a "silent auction" featuring obviously many UCLA athletics related memorabilia. But look what shows up among other things in their top items (bold mine) featured in this silent auction:

UCLA-USC Game Canvas, Autographed
06-07 Team & Coach Autographed UCLA Football Photographed Canvas

Autographed #7 Arizona Cardinals Jersey
Leinart Autographed #7 Arizona Cardinals Jersey

Say what?!!!!

Clearly they don't pay attention to details over at Morgan Center.

If you want to give them a call about this they have this number up: 310.206.3302

I'd say we light up their switch board. I wouldn't use a Leinart jersey to clean up dogsh!t. It has no place in a UCLA event.

UPDATE I: Here is the email Morgan Center sent out to promote TBC:

We are proud to be UCLA alumni and we continue to work towards providing our student-athletes with the best possible academic and athletic opportunities. The second annual True Blue Celebration will be on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at the John Wooden Center, assisting us in giving our student-athletes the college education and experience they deserve.

This is the UCLA Athletic Department's largest fundraising event and will feature more than 500 silent auction items and an amazing live auction. Last year's event sold out with more than 800 Bruin fans in attendance and we expect the same enthusiasm this year.

We ask that you join in our efforts to make the True Blue Celebration a special and successful event. We are requesting your support through the donation of a wonderful item that can be showcased in our Silent Auction or Live Auction portion of our program.

HT to What's Up Dawg.

Unbelievable. The largest athletic fund raising event. And they are using this Trojie MIMBO's jersey to raise money from Bruin fans.

Again here is the number to call up and ask WTF is this jersey doing in an event organized to attract UCLA alums: 310.206.3302

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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Comments

They haven't got a clue

Here is the acid test.

Would the a-holes at SuC Tech ever, in a million years, offer up Bruin memorabilia (or anything with ties to a Bruin) at one of their auctions to bail yet another football player out of jail? Never.

From the UCLA website, I could not determine where the money from this action goes, however, I would rather seriously overpay for a UCLA Santa cap than pay anything having to do with SuC or one of SuC's heroes.

This is really, really embarassing.

by Barnes2JJ on May 2, 2007 9:02 AM PDT reply actions

OK, I've been sick for a few days...

... but even in my antihistamine-induced, sleep-altered, oxygen-deprived-due-to-substantial-nasal-congestion state, I don't think I could be THAT stupid.

A LEINART jersey for auction at a UCLA event?!?!?

How about a Devin Hester/ Chicago Bears jersey instead? Didn't Hester pick off a Leinart pass in a MNF game last year? (I don't know if our own Ricky Manning did in that game...)

MIM

And we will have our vengeance, in this game and the next.

by Meriones on May 2, 2007 9:11 AM PDT reply actions

I'm hoping this is a mistake

like Lienert's illegitimate offspring.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on May 2, 2007 9:26 AM PDT reply actions

I just

got through looking through this e-mail, and I literally threw up in my mouth after looking through all the items.

Isn't this kinda' just a no-brainer in terms of what exactly not to do? Geez.

by CAJason80 on May 2, 2007 9:29 AM PDT reply actions

charity?

Is this for charity or what?

I guess if the money was going to the Mattel hospital. . . well, that's still awkward, but not crazy bad.

Is this a fundraiser to renovate Pauley? In that case. . . WTF is this doing there?

by rick.2012 on May 2, 2007 9:52 AM PDT reply actions

No Matter What the Cause

there is plenty of Bruin stuff to sell.

For example, I for one would bid on a tape of an aria sung by 71 before I'd bid on a Leinert jersey.

Or how about the birthday cards, signed by KD and given to staff members?

These people really do not have a clue.

sjh

by Class of 66 on May 2, 2007 9:59 AM PDT reply actions

My point, too

If it's for charity, slap a UCLA sticker on a rubber dog toy and I will pay $100 for it. People who donate to charity, or who overpay for stuff at charitable auctions, do so because they WANT to contribute to the charitable cause (and perhaps also enjoy the tax deduction). So, there would be no need for a Leinart jersey at such an auction.

If this is not for charity, then I'm really confused here. Either way, this is just BS.

by Barnes2JJ on May 2, 2007 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Have you guys made your calls?

by bluestreet on May 2, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Getting ready for my call

But first, can someone remind me how much SC was ahead when they threw that reverse pass back to Leinhart (I think in the 3rd quarter)in 2005?

I want to underline that Leinhart in no way promotes positive feelings about UCLA football.

by Free the 16 on May 2, 2007 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I called earlier this AM

They also said they hadn't heard a whole lot of people complaining as of yet. Of course, the e-mail only came out last night.

Good to see they've removed the Leinart jersey. Yeesh.

by CAJason80 on May 2, 2007 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey, wait a second.

Actually, so far in my operatic career, everyone has refrained from bidding.

by Fox 71 on May 2, 2007 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe Gina Garrett is related to Mike

If there is a worse athletic department in the country when it comes to promoting their product and their university, I would like to know who it is, because I cannot imagine such a place.

Pathetic isn't nearly a strong enough word.

by Free the 16 on May 2, 2007 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

stunning

Like you guys, I am speechless.

by RealisticBruinFan on May 2, 2007 11:25 AM PDT reply actions

other ideas from the Morgan Center...

Leinart to sign autographs at the fall football scrimmage, to be held on the IM field.

Nick Young to coach youths at the UCLA basketball camp.

OJ Simpson now the official ambassador of UCLA Athletics.

by RealisticBruinFan on May 2, 2007 11:30 AM PDT reply actions

has anyone called yet? what did they say?

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on May 2, 2007 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

I just called ...

They haven't gotten many calls yet. I really urge everyone in this thread to place a simple call. Not much to ask for.

by bluestreet on May 2, 2007 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Along with calls

This information should be sent to all the local papers as well as many nationwide. Those in the AD who are responsible for this deserved to be shamed into doing the right thing, and removing the item from the auction.

by Free the 16 on May 2, 2007 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Sometimes I wonder

how we got to 99 championships in the first place with these Grade A morons running the show.

by Tydides on May 2, 2007 12:04 PM PDT reply actions

It could be a gift

from someone who is from Arizona, or who is an Arizona Cardinals fan. Not necessarily a UCLA alum. If he is a major contributor maybe the Morgan Center feels obligated to auction it. I'm sure in their twisted mind they find a way to justify this, but it is just symptomatic of their lack of sensitivity and passion when it comes to UCLA Football and its true fans.

by tasser10 on May 2, 2007 12:22 PM PDT reply actions

Who cares

if it's from a donor? What are they, nuts? Why on earth would you auction a Leinart jersey?

There really is no rational explanation for this, apart from a complete lack of competence.

by CAJason80 on May 2, 2007 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Have you called them?

Comeon guys ... call them if you haven't.

by bluestreet on May 2, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I called.

I just got off of the phone with someone there. I tried to be as polite as I possibly could be. I just told the guy on the other end that this makes us look really bad and that many alums/fans I know are really upset about it. He said he would pass the information along to the higher-ups. This probably won't make any difference whatsoever, but it's important for us to voice our displeasure. The whole situation is ridiculous.

by Bruin Roar on May 2, 2007 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeap

I know we are all upset about it. But they are not going to move unless we make at least few calls. I hope everyone who chimed in this thread placed a simple call.

by bluestreet on May 2, 2007 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Just did

I was laughing at the end, couldn't help it, but they do know he was a Condom. I forgot to ask if it was donated. But I think they're getting the hang of it...asked for my name, year of graduation and e-mail!

by tasser10 on May 2, 2007 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Awesome

Who else is going to step up?

Tasser called. Roar called. I did a little while ago. Everyone else commenting and reading this thread, call these guys and ask them to take that item off.

by bluestreet on May 2, 2007 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I called

and spoke with the same woman Fox spoke with (I suppose). She sort of ho-hummed me. But I told her to "log me in" as another person who didn't think SuC stuff belonged at a UCLA auction.

I also told her I was an alum and a donor and I would not attend this function if SuC stuff was up for bid.

by Barnes2JJ on May 2, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Bluestreet-good work

I just checked the website and it is GONE.

Thanks for rounding up the troops on this. At least SOMEONE at the Morgan Center is paying attention.

by Barnes2JJ on May 2, 2007 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Did I mention

I just walked down 19 floors because of a false fire alarm in my building? At least when I got back to my office, I got the news about the Leinart crapola being removed.

by Barnes2JJ on May 2, 2007 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Good exercise

by SuperBruinMan on May 2, 2007 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I just called

Got a nice young woman, but clearly she wanted me off the phone. She did not seem outraged by the concept. I tried to engage her, but she wanted me off the phone. I asked if OJ was going to the the emcee, and she said "No, silly, it's Troy Aikman." (OK, I put in the silly.) It was clear that her mindset is not the same as that which has been expressed here. If that is the mindset that pervades Morgan Center, then the problem is much larger than anyone imagined.

And one more thing. I must confess that I think we should figure out Aikman's middle name, and use that. I was never particularly comfortable using his first name.

by Fox 71 on May 2, 2007 2:46 PM PDT reply actions

I think I got the same woman

she didnt seem to have a clue what the item represented and why anyone would be upset. Surely we can get more intelligent people to work at Morgan Center.

by DumpDorrell on May 2, 2007 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice Job Bruin Nation!!

I called and emailed- let them know I was a donor, etc... didn't seem to garner much of a response.

HOWEVER...

Going back to the website to once again make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me and...

Leinart has been replaced by a Jack McDowell jersey!

So it looks like the vox populi has some influence after all.

I guess we should keep emailing / calling about KD- you never know...

by kdoc on May 2, 2007 3:33 PM PDT reply actions

GREAT WORK EVERYONE

by Nestor on May 2, 2007 4:20 PM PDT reply actions

Item now off the site!

nice job everyone!

by DumpDorrell on May 2, 2007 4:34 PM PDT reply actions

Not the same as curing cancer

But it's something. And I agree with Kdoc -- maybe the thing to do is to make calls about Mr. Dorrell, in light of the fact that e-mails and letters don't seem to work.

Probably best to save that idea until football season is actually here.

by Fox 71 on May 2, 2007 4:43 PM PDT reply actions