Easton Stadium: A Legacy of Excellence in UCLA Softball

UCLA Athletics provides numerous resources to keep the Bruin community informed about the UCLA Softball team's journey, especially as they head into the new season. These resources include an information guide and quick fact resources. In anticipation of the upcoming 2025 softball season, Bruins can access the UCLA Athletics 2024 UCLA Softball Information Guide. The guide includes a comprehensive overview of the Bruin athletes, the history of the softball team, statistics for the team and much more. UCLA Athletics also provides a 2025 UCLA Softball Quick Facts webpage with a condensed list of information for the Bruin community interested in learning more about the softball team at UCLA, all in one document.

A Home for Champions: Easton Stadium

One of the nation's premier softball programs has its own home at Easton Stadium. The home stadium for the Bruin softball team is the Easton Stadium on campus. UCLA's softball squad moved into the 1,200-seat facility in 1996. Named for prominent UCLA engineering alumnus Jim Easton - president of Easton Aluminum, maker of advanced sporting equipment including bats - the facility was recognized by Athletics Management magazine as one of the finest of its type in the nation.

"Easton Stadium, tucked away on the UCLA campus and enjoyed by fans and players for over 20 years, is a jewel steeped in the tradition of excellence," said Phyllis Easton.

The Easton Family Legacy

Jim and Phyllis Easton have been steadfast supporters of UCLA Softball throughout the program's history. It was the Easton family that provided the funding to transform a field into a stadium in the mid-90’s. This transformative gift from the Eastons represents significant support for UCLA Softball.

“It is an honor and pleasure to continue our support of UCLA Athletics with a new scoreboard and improvements at Easton Stadium…home of the top collegiate softball program in the country,” said Jim Easton. “We celebrate their success.

Cutting-Edge Upgrades

UCLA has partnered with Daktronics to design, manufacture and install an integrated video display for Easton Stadium. The new LED video display will feature 15HD pixel layout and measure nearly 14.5 feet high and more than 26.5 feet wide.

“Jim and Phyllis Easton have supported UCLA Softball throughout the history of our program,” said softball head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “It was the Easton family that provided the funding to transform a field into a stadium in the mid-90’s. Today, we thank Jim and Phyllis for another generous donation.

Easton Stadium: Key Features

The basics: The field is natural grass with a clay infield. Dimensions include left and right-field line measurements of 190 feet and 210 feet to straightaway center. Seating is available for 1,200.
Location and parking: Easton Stadium is at the northern end of the UCLA campus, south of Sunset Boulevard via Bellagio Road. Access is easiest via the Sunset off-ramp of the San Diego (405) Freeway.
Management: The facility is managed by the university. Inquiries concerning its use should be directed to Kevin Borg, facilities director, at (310) 825-8699 or by fax at (310) 206-7047.
Technical information: The softball-only facility opened on January 9, 1996. Although there are 1,200 fixed seats, additional seating could be added in the outfield area. In addition to the field, there are locker room for the Bruins, visitors and for officials. There is a small athletic training facility and modest meeting facilities within the complex. There is a small press box facility on the first-base side.
Record Attendance: The all-time attendance record of 1,247 was set for a UCLA-Arizona State game in April 1997.

UCLA Bruins: A Legacy of Champions

The UCLA Bruins are the athletic teams that represent the University of California, Los Angeles. The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Big Ten Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I (formerly Division I-A).

Early Years and Conference Affiliations

Upon its founding, UCLA joined the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). Following "pay-for-play" scandals at California, USC, UCLA, and Washington, the PCC disbanded in June 1959. On July 1, 1959, the new Athletic Association of Western Universities was launched, with California, UCLA, USC, and Washington as the four charter members. The conference renamed itself the Pacific-8 Conference in 1968, then the Pacific-10 Conference in 1978, and the Pac-12 in 2011.

Nickname and Mascots

Upon UCLA's founding as the Southern Branch of the University of California in 1919, the football team was known as the "Cubs" because of its younger relationship to the California Bears in Berkeley. In 1923, the team adopted the nickname "Grizzlies". The Bruins began to use live bears as mascots in the 1930s, renting animals to appear at all UCLA home football games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The practice grew less common until the 1950s, when students and alumni brought "Little Joe Bruin" to Westwood. A Himalayan bear cub from India, "Little Joe" grew too large and was transferred to a circus. "Josephine" was purchased by a group of alumni in 1961 and was kept in the backyard of the Rally Committee chairman.

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Colors

In the early days of the school, UCLA had the same colors as the University of California, Berkeley: Yale Blue and gold. When football coach Red Sanders came to UCLA for the 1949 season he redesigned the football uniforms. The Yale blue was changed to a lighter shade of blue. Sanders figured that the baby blue would look better on the field and in a film.

Softball: A Dynasty on the Diamond

The softball team at UCLA is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and is also in the Big Ten conference. As part of the softball history at UCLA, the first season was recorded in 1975. The UCLA Bruins softball championships include one Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) championship, as well as 12 NCAA championships.

The Bruins have been 13-time NCAA champions, including the first one in 1982. They won the World Series in 1978, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010 and 2019. Former Bruin Natasha Watley went on to help the United States women's national softball team win a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics and a silver medal in 2008. Andrea Duran helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2006 ISF World championship and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Other Sporting Achievements at UCLA

UCLA's athletic prowess extends far beyond softball, with numerous championships and accolades across various sports.

Baseball

The 2010 team, under head coach John Savage, won the Los Angeles Regional and Super-Regional, and was the first team to win 48 games in a season. Many UCLA baseball players have gone on to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). In the 2009 World Series, Chase Utley hit two home runs to help the Philadelphia Phillies win Game 1. There were a total of four former UCLA baseball players in the 2009 playoffs: Philadelphia's Ben Francisco and Chase Utley, Colorado's Garrett Atkins, and St. Louis' Troy Glaus, who was the 2002 World Series MVP for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Chris Chambliss and Gerrit Cole were No. 1 overall picks in the MLB drafts. Trevor Bauer was drafted as the No. 3 pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 6, 2011. Former UCLA shortstop Brandon Crawford hit a grand-slam home run in his major-league debut with the San Francisco Giants on May 27, 2011, and helped the Giants to win the 2012 Major League World Series.

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Men's Basketball

Several of the most revered championships were won by the Men's Basketball team under coaches John Wooden and Jim Harrick. The rich legacy of UCLA basketball has produced 11 NCAA championships - 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1995. From 1971 to 1974, UCLA won 88 consecutive men's basketball games, an NCAA record for men. Recent UConn Huskies women's basketball teams have set overall NCAA basketball records with 90-game and (ongoing) 91-game winning streaks. The 35-year period (1940-1974) preceding and including the UCLA streak was characterized by less dynasties, however: 20 different men's teams won titles during that span. Past rosters of UCLA basketball teams have included greats such as Rafer Johnson who was the 1960 Olympic Decathlon Champion, Gail Goodrich, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor), Bill Walton, Reggie Miller and Walt Hazzard. In recent years, UCLA Men's Basketball was returned to prominence under Coach Ben Howland. In March 2013, UCLA relieved head men's basketball coach Ben Howland of his duties after UCLA dropped an 83-63 decision to Minnesota in a second-round game of the NCAA tournament.

Women's Basketball

In the 1977-78 season, the women's basketball team, with a 27-2 record, were the AIAW Champions under head coach Billie Moore. The 2014-15 team won the 2015 WNIT championship by defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 62-60 on April 4, 2015.

Beach Volleyball

The beach volleyball team won its first national title on May 6, 2018, by defeating Hawaii and Florida State at Gulf Beach Place, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Football

In 1954, the UCLA football team earned a share of the national title with a 9-0 record and a #1 ranking in the Coaches UPI football poll, while Ohio State was ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll. Owing to rules in place at the time, UCLA was unable to face off against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, which would have resulted in one or the other being declared national champion. The Bruins have played in the Rose Bowl Game 12 times, winning 5 of them. The Bruins have won or shared the conference title 17 times. Among the many former UCLA football stars are Jackie Robinson (better known for his exploits as a baseball player, but nevertheless a 4-sport letterman and All-American), Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban, Bob Waterfield, Troy Aikman, Carnell Lake, and Tommy Maddox. One of the great moments in recent history for the Bruins came on December 2, 2006, when they beat USC 13-9 in one of the greatest upsets in the rivalry. 15 football players and coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, John Sciarra being the latest inductee in the Class of 2014. A notable player and alumnus of the UCLA football team is current NCIS star, actor Mark Harmon. The current head coach is Bob Chesney.

Men's Golf

The UCLA Bruins men's golf team has won two NCAA Championships, in 1988 and 2008. In the 2008 national championship, the team was led by senior Kevin Chappell, who won the respective individual title. In that championship, UCLA won by one shot over USC, and by two shots over Stanford. In 2009, UCLA came first in the NCAA Central Regional, pulling off their third regional championship in the last seven years. With that victory, the defending national champions, advanced to their seventh consecutive NCAA Championship, a school record. For 2011, the Bruins were first in stroke play before losing in the match play of the national championship tournament; and freshman golfer Patrick Cantlay was named GCAA Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award, the fourth player from UCLA. Cantlay was also the National Freshman of the Year, winning the Phil Mickelson Award in addition to being the Pac-10 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Chappell won National Player of the Year in 2008, Corey Pavin in 1982 and Duffy Waldorf in 1985. Open, Chappell was the low American (tie with Robert Garrigus) and Cantlay was the low amateur.

Women's Golf

The women's team won the national championship in 1971 (DGWS), 1991, 2004 and 2011. Former Bruin golf professionals include Scott McCarron, John Merrick, Corey Pavin, and Duffy Waldorf. Bruin alum Brandt Jobe tied for second at the 2011 Memorial Tournament.

Women's Gymnastics

The women's gymnastics team has won seven NCAA Women's Gymnastics championships under head coach Valorie Kondos Field, including championships in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2010, and 2018. Olympic Team members Jordan Chiles, Madison Kocian, Kyla Ross, Samantha Peszek, Jamie Dantzscher, Mohini Bhardwaj, Kate Richardson, Tasha Schwikert, Kristen Maloney, Yvonne Tousek, Stella Umeh, Luisa Portocarrero, Tim Daggett, Mitch Gaylord, and Peter Vidmar. 2008 Canadian Olympic Gymnastics team member Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs attended UCLA and was a member of the team for the 2008-2009 season. The team took home its 15th Pac-10 Gymnastics Championship on March 27, 2009.

Rugby

James Schaeffer introduced the original team in 1934, which was eventually revived post-WWII through Norm Padgett and his tireless hustling and fraternity walks. In 1958, Padgett's former Captain, Ged Gardner, assumed the Coaching role from until 1965. Gardner built membership, interest and skill to which Coach Dennis Storer added his own unique style. Dennis Storer remained Head Coach from 1966 - 1982, when the program operated as a Varsity Sport, winning a national title in 1972 and then another in 1975. Rugby was dropped as a varsity sport shortly after by the Athletics department. Storer subsequently resumed the role from 1987 to 1989 after the program was downgraded to Club Status. Over its history, 19 UCLA students have gone on to represent the USA Rugby Men's National Team with Coach Dennis Storer being the first ever coach of the team. Currently, the Bruins compete in all of the Major National Domestic competitions including the PAC Rugby Conference (XV's & 7's), USAR Collegiate National Championships, and the Collegiate Rugby 7s Championships (7's). Recently, the Bruins have reached the 1/4 Final of the Varsity Cup (2011-17), the Collegiate Rugby Championships Final (2016 & 18), Semi-final (2013 & 14) Quarter-Final (2017) and were Plate winners in 2015.

Men's Soccer

Since the beginning of the men's soccer tournament in 1959, UCLA has won national championship in 1985, 1990, 1997, and 2002; and finished second in 1970, 1972, 1973, and 2006. The men's soccer team won the 2008 Pacific-10 Conference championship and received the conference's automatic bid in the NCAA national championship Tournament, their 26 consecutive appearances. Cobi Jones, USA's most capped national player, played for UCLA. men's national team squad that defeated No. Loyola MarymountSt.

Women's Soccer

The women's soccer team has won the Pac-10 championships eight times since beginning play in 1993. For the 2008 Women's Soccer Championships, the undefeated UCLA women's soccer team was named one of the four No. 1 seeds, the third time in program history. women's national team and scored against North Korea.

Men's Tennis

The only school to have competed in every NCAA Men's Tennis Tournament, the team has won 16 national championships and 37 Pac-12 conference titles. Coach Billy Martin, who played at UCLA, has a 14 straight top 5 NCAA team finishes and a 9 consecutive 20-win seasons. He was named ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) division 1 National Coach of the Year and is a member of ITA Hall of Fame. The 1950 men's tennis team won UCLA's first-ever NCAA Championship. In 2014, Marcos Giron became the school's 11th NCAA Men's Tennis Singles Champion, joining Jack Tidball (1933), Herbert Flam (1950), Larry Nagler (1960), Allen Fox (1961), Arthur Ashe (1965), Charles Pasarell (1966), Jeff Borowiak (1970), Jimmy Connors (1971), Billy Martin (1975), and Benjamin Kohllöffel (2006). Mackenzie McDonald claimed the school's 12th individual singles championship and the school's 12th doubles individual championship when he teamed with Martin Redlicki at the 2016 tournament.

Women's Tennis

The women's team, which won national championships in 1981 (AIAW), 2008 and 2014, is coached by Stella Sampras, the sister of Pete Sampras, who donated a scholarship at UCLA.

Track and Field

J. D. William C. Robert M. (P - Player, C - Coach, Con. Other notable team members are: Rafer Johnson, Dwight Stones, C. K. When Meb Keflezighi was running for UCLA, he won four NCAA championships in one year, including the cross-country title, the 10,000 meters outdoors and the 5,000 meters indoors and outdoors titles in track. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, Meb ran to a second-place finish and winning the silver medal in the marathon with a then personal-best time of 2:11.29. In 2009, he became the first American to win the New York City Marathon in 17 years. At the 2014 Boston Marathon, he became the first American to win the men's race since 1983 with the time of 2:08.37.

Men's Volleyball

UCLA vs. The UCLA men's team won 21 NCAA titles, 19 under Al Scates, who coached the Bruins for 48 years. The Bruins also won 5 USVBA titles prior to the sport being sanctioned by the NCAA, two of these under Scates. John Speraw became head coach of the men's program following the retirement of Scates in 2012.

Women's Volleyball

Andy Banachowski led UCLA to six national championships (3 NCAA-1984, 1990, 1991; 2 AIAW-1974, 1975; and 1 DGWS-1972). The women's team played in 6 DGWS/AIAW championship games, has made 12 NCAA Final Four appearances, and has won 4 NCAA titles. The women's team has captured 8 of the championships since it became an NCAA sponsored event. The Bruins defeated Cal for the 2024 title. They also won non-NCAA national titles in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000.

Water Polo

Four UCLA water polo alumni and former coach Guy Baker were members of the USA women's and men's teams participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Natalie Golda (now Benson) and Jaime Hipp were members of the women's team, while Adam Wright and Brandon Brooks were on the men's team. Peter J. The then No. 2-ranked men's water polo team opened the newest athletic facility at UCLA, the Spieker Aquatics Center, with a win over the No. 7-ranked UC Irvine Anteaters, 10-4, on Saturday, September 26, 2009. In 2009, the men's team defeated #1 ranked USC and #3 ranked California for the MPSF tournament championship to advance to the NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship. On December 6, 2015, the men's team once again defeated USC, 10-7, to win back-to-back NCAA championships and finish with a perfect season at 30-0 on the UCLA campus. On December 3, 2017, the men's team defeated rival Southern California, 7-5, to capture their third National Championship in four years. The win also pulled the Bruins even with fellow Pac-12 school Stanford University for the most NCAA team championships in school history, both schools with 114 each. Earlier in the day, the Cardinal had pulled ahead when their women's soccer team defeated the Bruins' women's team 3-2. St.

NCAA Championships

As of December 7, 2025, UCLA has won 125 NCAA team championships, second to Stanford's 135. Men's Singles Championship before and during his career at UCLA.

Boxing and Ice Hockey

The men's and women's boxing teams have competed as part of the National Collegiate Boxing Association since 2016, after switching from the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association. Before the school was even called 'UCLA', the ice hockey program was formed, joining several other local teams including USC and Occidental. The team continued for several years despite the great depression being in full force. In…

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