UCLA Athletics plays a major role in the UCLA mission to furnish a well-rounded education both in and out of the classroom. UCLA continues to live up to its reputation as a national leader in intercollegiate sports. The first school to win 100 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships, UCLA currently ranks second in the U.S. with 123. In 2021-22, UCLA men’s and women’s athletic programs placed 15th in the Directors Cup national all-around excellence survey; men placed in the top 10 three times and women seven times over the 11 years of the Capital One Cup. In the 23-year history of the USA Today survey, the men’s program placed first 11 times; the women’s program placed first five times in the final nine years. UCLA was the first university in the country to win five NCAA men’s and women’s championships in a single year (1981-82). UCLA competes as the Bruins, in colors of blue and gold.
UCLA also has produced a record number of professional athletes such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Troy Aikman, Arthur Ashe, Eric Karros, Reggie Miller, Corey Pavin, Jackie Robinson, and Natalie Williams; and Olympians such as medalists Gail Devers, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Lisa Fernandez, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Karch Kiraly, Dot Richardson, Peter Vidmar, and Natasha Watley.
The major indoor arena at UCLA is the famed Pauley Pavilion, which seats approximately 13,800 for UCLA basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics events. It was the site of the 1984 Summer Olympics gymnastics competition. The adjacent Drake Stadium is the site of UCLA soccer and track and field competitions, and of many outdoor events including the 1991 U.S. Olympic Festival. The Spieker Aquatics Center is home to the UCLA water polo, swimming, and diving teams. The Los Angeles Tennis Center, a 5,800-seat outdoor tennis stadium and clubhouse, was the site of the 1984 Olympic tennis competition. Easton Softball Stadium, which seats 1,300, is home to the women’s softball team. The Morgan Intercollegiate Athletics Center houses the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame and the actual personal den of Coach John Wooden. Off-campus facilities include Jackie Robinson Stadium for varsity baseball and the renowned Rose Bowl in Pasadena, home of the UCLA football team.
UCLA Athletics is a member of the Big Ten Conference.
Men’s teams have won an overall total of 78 NCAA titles—second highest in the nation—including 21 in volleyball, 16 in tennis, 12 in water polo, 11 in basketball, eight in track and field, four in soccer, two each in golf and gymnastics, and one each in baseball and swimming. Students can participate on the varsity level in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo.
Women’s teams have won an overall total of 44 NCAA titles—second highest in the nation—including 12 in softball, eight in water polo, seven in gymnastics, five in track and field, four in volleyball, three in golf, two each in beach volleyball, soccer, and tennis. Students can participate on the varsity level in basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo.
