Wielding currency that connects with students, new UCLA football coach Bob Chesney visited five of the biggest fraternities on campus Monday with some savory treats.
Chesney and three of his players — star edge rusher Sahir West and defensive backs Cole Martin and Rodrick Pleasant — distributed more than 50 pizzas to the hungry frat brothers.
Players shot hoops on an outdoor court and Chensey spoke about the importance of supporting the Bruins.
It’s all part of Chesney’s continuing efforts to build buzz around a team that has struggled to draw at its home stadium over the last decade. UCLA’s average home attendance of 37,252 last season was its lowest since moving to the Rose Bowl before the 1982 season.
Chesney invited the students to attend the Bruins’ spring game at the Rose Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
“We’re doing a lot of work to change a lot of things that are going on around here,” Chesney told one group of students. “So I think you’ll be proud of what you see out there, but we need you guys there.
“It takes a village, right? We’ve said that everywhere we’ve been – it takes a full village, and you’re part of that village.”
UCLA has long embraced Greek life at the Rose Bowl, providing buses and a special tailgating area for fraternities and sororities outside the stadium.
Chesney’s visits were part of strengthening that bond.
“I’m telling you, get on board now,” Chesney told another group of students. “The earlier you do that, the better off we’ll all be, and we need you guys.”
