Bruins for Life: A Gathering of Bruin Football Alumni From All Eras

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certain camaraderie is forged through competition.

Through victories, defeats, home games, road games and practices, memories among coaches and teammates are formed on and off the playing field each season, and last long after the stadium lights shut off. Given UCLA’s storied history of success in athletics, it comes as no surprise that Bruins from each of its 25 varsity programs have built and maintained friendships over the years.

Last September, generations of coaches and players from UCLA’s football program had a chance to reunite and reinforce their camaraderie at an inaugural reunion hosted by the Bruin Varsity Club aptly titled Bruins for Life: A Gathering of Bruin Football Alumni From All Eras.

“Kenny Easley and his desire to reunite UCLA football players, not just his teammates, but all players, was the impetus for this event,” said Bruins for Life Committee event organizer, two-time Emmy Award-winning television producer, and former Bruin standout linebacker Raymond Bell ʼ78. “This reunion was about Bruins, friendship, sweat and grit from players of all eras. We’re brothers, and when Kenny expressed the desire for us to put this event on, we went for it.”

Kenny Easley was regarded as one of the nation's best defenders, playing free safety for the Bruins from 1977 to 1980. His No. 5 jersey is one of nine Bruin retired numbers. Following a prolific career in the NFL, Easley was the sixth Bruin to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. In 1991, he was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame (College Hall of Fame).

After nearly three months of planning thanks largely to a committee led by Easley, Bell, John Sciarra ʼ76, Frank Stephens ʼ84 and others, with the assistance of Bruin Varsity Club Director, Sam Glick, UCLA football players of all generations made their way back to Westwood and Pasadena for a time of reunion and reflection.

The two-day event began the morning of Friday, Sept. 15, with UCLA football alumni guests attending that day’s football practice at the Wasserman Football Center. Here, football alumni had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the team and connect with the current generation of Bruin athletes. 

That evening, 200 attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception and dinner banquet inside the Centennial Ballroom at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center. It featured a UCLA Football highlight reel and guest speakers such as former Bruin Head Coach Dick Vermeil and Nicole Donahue ianni, daughter of the late Terry Donohue ʼ67, M.S. ʼ77, UCLA’s winningest football coach.

“A reunion like this means that the time invested in these young people was worth it. They’ve developed into great, mature people today,” said Coach Vermeil. “We had the turnout that we did because our players care about each other and care about the program.”

From 1974 to 1975, Vermeil compiled an overall record of 15-5-3 and led the Bruins to their first Pac-8 Championship in a decade. His time in Westwood was highlighted by UCLA’s 1976 Rose Bowl Game appearance where the Bruins upset No. 1-ranked Ohio State 23-10, a universally held crowd-favorite memory for many in attendance at the reunion.

Echoing Vermeil’s sentiment, former UCLA running back Jonathan Franklin ʼ12 commented, “It’s great to be back together. We’re a brotherhood, and if we can get a chance to be together and support the program, especially with all it's done for us, we need to take it.”

Franklin played for the Bruins for four years, setting a school record for career rushing yards (4,403) along the way. Since his time in Westwood, Franklin had a brief professional playing career with the Green Bay Packers and now works for the Los Angeles Rams in community and external relations.

The next day, UCLA football alumni were invited to watch the UCLA vs. North Carolina Central football game at the Rose Bowl. Attendees toured the newly-opened California High School Hall of Fame and the 1922 Locker Room at the stadium, attended the Wooden Athletic Fund’s Then Now Forever Pregame Tailgate and sat with other participants to watch the Bruins cruise to a 59-7 victory over the Eagles. Notably, UCLA football alumni were recognized on the field at the end of the first quarter and were even personally greeted by Coach Chip Kelly and members of the coaching staff.

“Having the opportunity sit on the committee and see this weekend come together is really rewarding,” said Frank Stephens. “This was a big opportunity to come back and share what everyone has been doing. It’s like reuniting with long-lost brothers. We were on the field battling with each other and to come back has been special.”

In only three seasons with the Bruins, Stephens' tenacious play has still ranked him 10th overall in career tackles (313), 12th in career sacks (19) and 20th in career tackles for a loss (31). Since his time in Westwood, he’s enjoyed playing football professionally, working for UCLA Athletics in both administrative and coaching positions for over 16 years, coaching at the high school and collegiate levels, and other opportunities within restaurant management. 

The event’s youngest-attending alumnus, Paco Perez ’19, saw the weekend as a great opportunity to connect with Bruin greats from all generations and see what his future holds after football.

“I was inspired to attend to get inside the heads of UCLA legends and see what life could look like ahead of me. I’ve already been able to take a lot of my lessons learned at UCLA and use them in my career.” Since graduating, Perez has enjoyed careers in both HVAC and aerospace. 

Looking ahead, organizers look to continue this reunion, build support for the football program through its alumni and strengthen their gridiron-based camaraderie for years to come.

“To have a Bruins for Life event encompassing all eras is pretty magnificent,” said Bruin quarterback great John Sciarra ʼ76. “I think the next event that we do, we’ll have over 400 participants, and we’ll probably be back within two years. To be able to catch up with teammates and meet players from all generations is a remarkable opportunity.”

John Sciarra was an All-America quarterback and an award-winning scholar while at UCLA from 1972 to 1975. After graduation, he played two years for the British Columbia team in the CFL, then six years in the NFL (1978-1983) for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading the league in punt returns in 1979. Sciarra was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994. Following his football career, he enjoyed a career in business and retirement services.

Raymond Bell is optimistic for future reunions. “We’re thankful that UCLA came on board to help get this event off the ground. Everyone came forward to get this thing going and move it forward, and we look forward to seeing it grow in the coming years.”

While it is yet to be determined when the next reunion will take place, the alumni of UCLA’s football program will continue to hold on to the memories and friendships made both on and on the field. After all, they are Bruins for life.

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All UCLA football alumni are welcome to attend practice at the Wasserman Football Center and receive two (2) complimentary tickets to every UCLA Football game at the Rose Bowl. Tickets can be claimed at Will Call outside Gate B at the Rose Bowl. Visit the Bruin Varsity Club for more information.

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