Sport and Cinema's Guide to Books
Ever since the Wizard of Westwood brought magic to the hardwoods, UCLA football has had to play in the long shadow of the school’s great basketball tradition. Nevertheless, the Bruins have produced some fine gridiron teams and players. For example, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of Bruin quarterback Troy Aikman being selected the number one pick in the entire draft. And in celebration of this weekend’s NFL Draft, here is a colorful book about one of the more underrated college football programs in the country, one that has produced more than its share of NFL Players.
UCLA Football Vault: The History of the Bruins 
is a compelling and vibrant guide to the highs and lows of a school that has been competing for 90 years, capturing a national title in 1954 and producing a Heisman winner in 1967 (QB Gary Beban).
Co-authors Chris Roberts, long-time school broadcaster and former associate sports information director Bill Bennett, assemble some poignant inside stories and behind-the-scenes tales that would be hard to find anywhere else.
With a foreword by current coach Rick Neuheisel (who led UCLA as their QB to a Rose Bowl title in 1984) and afterword by Terry Donahue, the Bruins’ winningest coach, this is a coffee table-size book that is full of amazing artwork including vintage photographs, replicas of posters, tickets, and stickers neatly tucked into sleeves and pockets throughout.
UCLA Football Vault reflects well the heart of the Bruins’ football program by combining good storytelling and brilliant visuals.
That is right, UCLA football, while it hasnt enjoyed the success of cross town rival USC, is certainly good in its own right…and former Bruin QB Neuheisel will take the Bruiin program to greater heights.
UCLA football will NEVER match its basketball counterpart, but the book sounds interesting
Maurice Jones-Drew, Kenny Easley, Irv Eatman, Troy Aikman- UCLA has done well in the NFL for a long time
UCLA will never come close to USC in football simply because the tradition of better recruiting will prevail.
I love this book. I’d like to see one about UCLA basketball