LOS ANGELES — UCLA is no longer heading to the Big Ten.
The exploratory conversation between Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond and Chancellor Gene Block in the fall of 2021 has become a reality in solidifying the school’s athletic future.
After over two years of intense preparation, the school will celebrate its first day as an official member of the new conference. The celebration will include signing a banner, alumni attending a lunch, and opening football practice to donors and academic leaders.
“It’s a significant day in our history,” Jarmond told The Los Angeles Times. “We want to acknowledge it properly.”
The Bruins’ first game in the Big Ten is scheduled for Aug. 15, with women’s soccer facing Long Beach State. The first conference game is slated for Sept. 13, with men’s soccer playing against Northwestern. The first conference football game will be on Sept. 14 against Indiana.
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Jarmond is among the key early stakeholders remaining from UCLA’s Pac-12 defection. He discussed the monumental move in an edited interview with The Times on the eve of UCLA’s entry into the Big Ten.
“We’re ready. We’ve been thorough in our approach and are committed to developing young people and winning,” Jarmond said. “We’ve put in the work and preparation for this transition.”
The three main priorities guiding UCLA’s preparation for the transition were integrating into the Big Ten conversation and operations, focusing on scheduling to minimize disruption for student-athletes, and involving departments, staff, coaches, and student-athletes in the transition process.
Financial support for athletes included charter flights, increased academic support, mental health resources, and improved nutrition programs.
Jarmond highlighted the changes in operations and future revenue sharing with student-athletes as key aspects of the transition and emphasized the importance of embracing change for UCLA athletics.
Overall, Jarmond expressed his excitement and optimism regarding UCLA’s future and its move to the Big Ten.
