Night Owl Special
I wrote an update on the Pauley Pavilion renovation project for Thursday's paper. A central piece of it is Richard Bergman, the volunteer chair of the Executive Committee of the renovation, was fired recently by chancellor Gene Block because he was not supporting how the project was unfolding.
Before reading the article I think we can surmise that there hasn't been much progress made!
Sounds like Richard Bergman was the only person expressing his frustration for how long its taking and how much red tape there is at UCLA. I'm already interested in reading the article, Brian.
I didnt know UCLA actually fires employees...oh wait he's a volunteer?
Richard Bergman was fired simply because he only joined the committee to preserve his "priority" in his floor seats. Once he was told donors that would give more than him would supplant his "priority" he only tried to delay and destroy the project.
Simply - he only volunteered for selfish reasons and he needs to be put in his place.
Brian's article is already up for those who don't want to wait until tomorrow:
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_12104182
"Other places do it, but I'm not a big believer in that kind of change in strategy," Bergman said. "We have a lot of longtime loyal season-ticket holders.
Is Guerrero trying to get rid of the dispassionate "longtime loyal season-ticket holders"? The ones who don't always show up to the games and so there are empty seats, the ones who tend not to cheer and remain seated, the ones who tend to be more concerned with their appearances and not wear true blue. This isn't a sarcastic question, just wondering if this is going on? I know there are some folks who want to have these prized seats and have even offered to donate serious money but can't get them because of UCLA's ticket policy to these "longtime loyal season-ticket holders"
It's a story about a rich guy that didn't get his way and is now stomping his feet in a tantrum.
Actually, I agree with him. If he has ideas on funding that will eliminate or reduce the possibility of seat licensing or having season ticket holders ponying up even larger donations, I think the University should at least hear his ideas. If the guy has been successful enough in his professional life to be able to donate $1 million just to the renovation, he can't be stupid.
And it's not like he's some aloof donor that doesn't understand our passion for Bruin basketball.
http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Bergman_Richard_1019513158.aspx
This reminds me of when they implemented the blue and gold seating for football.
I can't believe they are still talking about a "RENOVATION" project. Pauley is not a renovation. It's a tear down. Every good Real Estate man knows you don't plunk this much money into a dump. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Unfortunately, I think the only real reason we are renovating this dump, is out of respect for Wooden.
Listen, Wooden was a great coach and is a great person, but like EVERY great person he is flawed. He didn't like dunking. BIG mistake. Could you imagine BB without dunking? He thought it was arrogant and showboating. Please. Dunking is not about arrogance. It's about domination, will, power, strength, and grace. It can create immense momentum and pump up or silence a crowd. Wooden NEVER got this. He also didn't like calling time outs and his arena design was atrocious. He didn't want the fans too close to the floor. He thought it created an unfair disadvantage to the visiting team. Are you kidding me? Why not play EVERY game on a neutral court then? Please.
While Wooden was a GREAT coach and I appreciate everything he did for our great University, we need to move on. We need to distance ourselves from our past and look to the future. We need to develop a new identity and dynasty. We need a NEW Arena to do that.
No arena is too hallowed to tear down. They tore down Yankee Stadium, The Boston Garden, replaced Memorial Stadium at Kentucky, and nobody cried. It's called progress. Tear it down or don't. Just build a new one. Let the Women's BB, volleyball, and gymnastics teams practice and play there for all I care. That way the Pauley family won't cry. Keep it and name the new one the Wooden Arena, that way he won't be insulted.
It's nice to remember the past, but also important to look to the future. Mr. Guerrero and Mr. Block, tear down that Arena. Somehow I feel we're going to foul this up. Pun intended.