May 12, 2006
Photo Gallery - Arrivals
Photo Gallery - Big Dance
The UCLA Athletic Department held its seventh annual "Big Dance" at Pauley Pavilion on May 9. Student-athletes from all 22 of UCLA's intercollegiate athletic teams were on hand for the "Bruins Go Hollywood"-themed event, which featured a Bruin Idol talent competition.
UCLA's multiple team accomplishments were recognized at the event, with the most recent NCAA champions - men's volleyball - receiving a special mention and recognition on the court. Four student-athletes received the C.H.A.M.P.S. Inspirational Award, given annually to male and female student-athletes who have overcome personal adversity, injury or illness while achieving athletic success. Those winners were Cedric Bozeman (men's basketball), Lora Batina (women's rowing), Julia Pitts (women's basketball) and Liz Keating (swimming/diving).
Twelve acts participated in Bruin Idol, with the women's basketball team, along with men's players Nican Robinson and Michael Roll, winning the group title for the third time in four years. The collaboration on "Joyful Joyful" from Sister Act II featured Tierra Henderson in the Lauryn Hill role, Consuelo Lezcano in the Whoopi Goldberg role and Robinson and Roll rapping. Volleyball player Rachell Johnson won the solo title, singing Bonnie Raitt's "Something To Talk About".
Second place went to the crowd favorites, the men's soccer freshmen, whose choreographed dance number kicked off the show, and softball's Ashley Herrera, who donned a "Vote for Pedro" shirt and recreated the dance scene in Napoleon Dynamite.
Also competing in the talent competition were men's water polo, women's track and field, men's volleyball, Kim Nelson from women's water polo, Kyoko Guillory from women's track and field, Austin Ramos and Luke Barr from men's track and field, Ryan Gordon and Laef Barnes from cross country and track and field, and J.J. Hair from football.
Bruin Idol judges were Kenny "Randy Jackson" Donaldson, Treena "Paula Abdul" Camacho and Mark "Simon Cowell" Carr.
The Big Dance was sponsored by the Bruin Athletic Council in conjunction with the UCLA Athletic Department.
2005 Big Dance Photo Gallery
2004 Big Dance Photo Gallery
2003 Big Dance Photo Gallery
2002 Big Dance Photo Gallery
2001 Big Dance Photo Gallery
2000 Big Dance Photo Gallery