USC, UCLA Jointly Promoting Women’s Sports

The women’s athletic departments of USC and UCLA announced Tuesday that they are joining forces to promote and market their sporting events.

“No, we haven’t flipped,” Barbara Hedges, USC women’s athletic director, said at a press luncheon at UCLA. “We think we have great sports with great appeal and we are going to work together to make the public more aware of what we have to offer.”

Tuesday’s announcement coincided with volleyball media day, at which reporters were invited to watch a practice involving women players from both USC and UCLA, and even go through some drills themselves if they desired.

Judith Holland, UCLA’s women’s athletic director, said: “Today’s media day was the start. We’re starting out with volleyball, and will jointly promote basketball and other sports as well.”

UCLA, the defending national women’s volleyball champion, is ranked No. 1 in the nation. USC is ranked No. 2.

The Bruins will open their season next Wednesday at Wyoming. Their first home match in the Wooden Center will be Sept. 10, when they compete in the eight-team All-Cal tournament. USC will open its season Sept. 6, at Cal State Long Beach. The Trojans’ home opener will be the next night against UC Santa Barbara.

As part of the joint venture, one season ticket that costs $25 will be good for admission to the home matches of both teams. Each team will play 10 regular-season home matches. Single tickets to USC matches cost $3.50, and to UCLA matches $4.

The schools also will exchange 500 free student tickets when the teams meet. When they play at Pauley Pavilion Oct. 18, USC will get 500 free student tickets from UCLA, and when they play at the Sports Arena Nov. 21, UCLA will get 500 free student tickets from USC.

Other facets of the joint promotion involve more combined media days, coaching clinics at area high schools and a combined group sales plan.