The old guy at UCLA games is known as “The Dancing Man,” whose real name is Arthur Ashe, Jr. He often dances in the aisles during basketball games and has become a beloved figure among UCLA fans.
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“The Dancing Man” at UCLA basketball games is a beloved figure known for his energetic dancing and enthusiastic spirit. His real name is Arthur Ashe Jr. Although he’s in his 70s, he’s never let that slow him down or dampen his love for the Bruins:
“I’ll never stop dancing,” Ashe told KABC. “As a matter of fact, they’ll probably end up having to roll me out of here one day…I never thought I’d be this well-known, but I’m grateful for it.”
Here are some interesting facts about “The Dancing Man”:
- Ashe is a UCLA alum who attended undergraduate school there in the late 1960s.
- He started dancing at the games in the early 2000s, after a student section started playing music specifically for him.
- The Bruins once honored Ashe with a jersey bearing his name and the number “80” (which represented his age at the time).
- Ashe has continued to dance even during the pandemic, albeit from his own home. In April 2020, he appeared in a video alongside UCLA coach Mick Cronin, urging fans to stay safe and stay home.
Overall, “The Dancing Man” has become an integral part of the UCLA game day experience for fans and players alike. One ESPN commentator summed it up well:
“He’s a unique guy,” said announcer Dave Pasch. “Everyone knows him and loves him… There’s nobody who loves UCLA basketball more than Arthur Ashe Jr.”
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who is “The Dancing Man”? | Arthur Ashe Jr. |
| How did he become known? | Started dancing at UCLA games in the early 2000s |
| Has he been honored by the Bruins? | Yes, with a jersey bearing his name and the number “80” |
| Has he continued to dance during the pandemic? | Yes, via video appearances from home |
| What impact has he had on UCLA fandom? | He’s become an integral part of the game day experience, beloved by fans and players alike |
Associated video
Magic Johnson’s basketball skills are put to the test in a pickup game against 43-year-old Wilt Chamberlain at UCLA. After a controversial block, Johnson prematurely declares the game over, but Chamberlain challenges him to continue. Chamberlain dominates the game and blocks all shots at the basket, showcasing his revolutionary style of play. Johnson’s versatility and leadership are also highlighted as he plays every position in a championship game and leads the Lakers to victory.
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Who is Mike Cronin?
Michael Walter Cronin (born July 17, 1971) is an American men’s college basketball coach who is the head coach of the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
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The answer is: Among Wooden’s most notable accomplishments at UCLA are two record-winning streaks: 88 consecutive games (over the course of four seasons) and 38 consecutive NCAA tournament games. He was named the NCAA’s College Basketball Coach of the Year on six occasions (1964, 1967, 1969–70, and 1972–73).
What is Mick Cronin salary?
Response will be: Top 25 Coaches 2022-23
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| 7 | Tony Bennett | $4,830,345 |
| 8 | Brad Underwood | $4,600,550 |
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Who is Mick Cronin’s dad?
The response is: Hep Cronin
Hep Cronin, a successful high school coach, gained national attention during UCLA’s unexpected run to the 2021 Final Four as he was reunited with his son at the NCAA tournament following a yearlong physical separation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who played basketball at UCLA?
Answer to this: Rowe played at UCLA as well, graduating in 1971. No. 32 retired by UCLA in 1990. In 2001, Walton was the recipient of an Emmy Award for "Best Live Sports Television Broadcast". In 2006, Walton was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
How many times did UCLA play the Irish?
Answer to this: Among those 88 victories in between, UCLA played the Irishfour times— and won 114-56, 57-32, 82-56 and 82-63. Looking back, the streak was nearly stopped in its infancy, many times. In that showdown with USC, the Bruins were down nine points with seven minutes to go, but rallied to win 64-60.
Did Bill Walton play for UCLA?
Answer will be: Walton played for UCLA under Coach Wooden from 1971 to 1974. His older brother Bruce played football at UCLA, enrolling a year ahead of Bill. Bill Walton led the Bruins to two consecutive 30–0 seasons and the NCAA men’s basketball record 88-game winning streak.
Is Dick Vitale back for UCLA-Gonzaga?
Battling cancer, Dick Vitale is back for UCLA-Gonzaga, and it’s awesome, baby! ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale dances with the Gonzaga Bulldogs mascot before a game against Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference tournament in March 2020.
Who played basketball at UCLA?
Answer to this: Rowe played at UCLA as well, graduating in 1971. No. 32 retired by UCLA in 1990. In 2001, Walton was the recipient of an Emmy Award for "Best Live Sports Television Broadcast". In 2006, Walton was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
Does UCLA talk about the game?
At those meetings, the team rarely talks about the UCLA game. “The things we laugh and joke about are things that happened in practice, things that happened on the road, sometimes the things that we heard from Coach Carril,” Johnson says.
How many times did UCLA play the Irish?
Response will be: Among those 88 victories in between, UCLA played the Irishfour times— and won 114-56, 57-32, 82-56 and 82-63. Looking back, the streak was nearly stopped in its infancy, many times. In that showdown with USC, the Bruins were down nine points with seven minutes to go, but rallied to win 64-60.
Did Princeton play UCLA 15 years ago?
I don’t know if you remember this, but 12 or 13 years ago, I went to the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis and saw Princeton play UCLA,’” Hart says. Little moments like this keep a game that happened 15 years ago alive in the minds of Hart and his teammates. For Lewullis, these moments happen most frequently.