It seems that lots of letters and emails went back and forth after UCLA decided to join USC in moving to the Big Ten. Excerpts from The Athletic:
The day after USC and UCLA announced their intent to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, UCLA chancellor Gene Block wrote to University of Washington president Ana Mari Cauce to apologize for not giving prior notice — and said the decision to leave the conference was “personally anguishing,” per a copy of the letter obtained by The Athletic via records request...
Block, UCLA’s chancellor since 2007, is not considered to be particularly hands-on with athletics, one of the reasons why the Bruins’ exodus was more surprising than the Trojans’...
Block wrote to Cauce... “I wanted to send you a personal note to express my sincere apologies that I was unable to share information with you before the public announcement. I am truly sorry about this.
“This was an extremely difficult decision for UCLA — and personally anguishing. I and many others in our Bruin community greatly enjoy the traditions and friendly rivalries that exist within our conference. I want to express the deep respect that I have for you, our other Pac-12 colleagues, and for the conference leadership.”
Cauce responded, in part: “This was tough all around, but friendship first! You’ve been a great colleague, and often a mentor. That hasn’t changed and [I] look forward to continuing our dinners and dialogues at AAU, APRU* and maybe even the UW-UCLA game — there will be more to come.”
The same day Cauce received Block’s note about leaving the conference, Washington’s president also received an email from the leader of a potential Pac-12 expansion candidate: San Diego State president Adela de la Torre, who wanted to discuss “possible opportunities.” ...
Full story at https://theathletic.com/3962500/2022/12/02/ucla-usc-big-ten-realignment/.
No comments:
Post a Comment