UCLA’s process of joining the Big Ten Conference is at the midway point, marking one year since the announcement of their departure from the Pac-12 in 2024. UCLA’s athletic director, Martin Jarmond, and coaches across all sports have been assessing their programs and adjusting recruiting priorities to prepare for the heightened competition in the Big Ten.
Jarmond emphasizes the importance of understanding the competition and highlighting UCLA’s strengths and benefits as they strive to compete at the highest level in the Big Ten. The strategic plans for this transition will start to take shape in the fall. As part of their approval to switch conferences, UCLA will invest an additional $12 million in various areas such as nutritional support, mental health services, academic support during travel, and charter flights to reduce travel time.
While the focus is on the transition, Jarmond acknowledges the coaches’ need to balance their attention between the present season in the Pac-12 and envisioning what the future in the Big Ten might entail. Jarmond attended Big Ten meetings in April and has seen the football schedule rotations for 2024 and 2025, including matchups against Ohio State and Michigan. The Crosstown Showdown between USC and UCLA is one of the protected rivalries in the Big Ten.
Jarmond also mentioned the progress made in reducing UCLA’s budget deficit. The Westwood Exchange NIL program, initiated in April, has formed partnerships with the Anderson School of Management and the law school to provide branding perspectives and contract counseling for student-athletes.
In terms of athletic achievements, UCLA ranked 14th nationally in the 2021-22 Directors Cup standings, earning at least 1,000 points for the first time since 2018. Notable successes include national championships in women’s soccer and men’s volleyball, a bowl game appearance for the football team, and Sweet 16 runs for both men’s and women’s basketball. UCLA also secured several conference titles, including an undefeated home record for men’s basketball.
Indeed, one of the significant challenges for UCLA’s athletic department with the move to the Big Ten will be the increased travel distances compared to their usual West Coast territory. The shift to the Big Ten will introduce longer flights and more extended road trips for the Bruins.
For instance, UCLA’s first game in 2024 against Hawaii will require a flight time of approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes, covering a distance of around 2,500 miles from Los Angeles. Additionally, the Bruins will face six significant road trips to destinations such as LSU, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Rutgers. These trips will contribute to a total air mileage of 26,762 miles for UCLA throughout the season.
The increased travel distances and time spent on the road will pose logistical challenges for the athletic department, including scheduling, managing fatigue, and coordinating team travel arrangements. However, these challenges are a part of the transition to a new conference and will require adjustments and careful planning to ensure the smooth operation of the Bruins’ athletic programs in the Big Ten.
Jarmond is optimistic about UCLA’s trajectory and believes the transition to the Big Ten will further enhance the athletic program’s success.
