University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Holds Eighth Annual Big Dance
May 10, 2007
The UCLA Athletic Department held its eighth annual "Big Dance" at Pauley Pavilion on May 8. Student-athletes from all 22 of UCLA's intercollegiate athletic teams were on hand for the "Woodenstock"-themed event, which showcased the annual talent competition.
1st Place Performance
2nd Place Performance
3rd Place Performance
UCLA's multiple team accomplishments were recognized at the event, and three 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 Hannah Jun (women's golf), Brandon Johnson (men's track and field), and Robert Kibble (football).
Six acts participated in the talent competition. Judges Joe and Josephine Bruin, men's basketball assistant coach Donnie Daniels, former football and volleyball great Danny Farmer, and football assistant Jolie Oliver put the two-time defending champion women's basketball team in a tie for first place with water polo player Kim Nelson and football player Nick Ekbatani. The crowd broke the tie, favoring Nelson and Ekbatani's spirited duet of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" over the women's basketball team's elaborately choreographed dance number. The women's cross country team kicked off the competition with their version of the Evolution of Dance and placed third.
Also competing in the talent competition were Kyoko Guillory from women's track and field, the women's track and field team, and men's water polo.
The Big Dance was sponsored by the Bruin Athletic Council in conjunction with the UCLA Athletic Department.