Who is the most beloved UCLA sports figure?

UCLA has a rich tradition of athletics; dating back to 1950, no school has had as much success nationally as UCLA has. From basketball to volleyball, to golf and tennis, UCLA trumps any and all universities that think they’re worthy to compete.

So of course, UCLA has accumulated a ton of beloved figures as a result of this rich tradition. Considering the prominence of UCLA in terms of athletics, it’d be difficult to pin-point just one sports figure.

We have our opinions, but we thought it’d be cool to give you, the reader, a chance to determine who the most beloved figure in sports, via a 16-person bracket. There will be a 1-4 seeding, with four No. 1 seeds (March Madness style). You will determine the winner via polls, which will be up for approximately one week.

The criteria for this list is that all players are enshrined into some Hall of Fame institution, whether it be the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame, or the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.

Of course, we realize we’re not perfect, so you, dear reader, will also have the chance to nominate some of your most beloved UCLA athletes. You can do so by commenting on this post (or any other featuring head-to-head poll battles) between now and the end of the tournament. Four nominated Bruins will be selected (if that much are nominated), and will face off in a mini-tournament to go up against the 16-figure bracket champ.

Every head-to-head battle will discuss the argument for both and will include the poll for you to vote on.

Here is the bracket.

Group 1

#1 John Wooden vs. #4 J.D. Morgan

#2 Pooh Richardson vs. #3 Michelle Kwan

Group 2

#1 Lew Alcindor vs. #4 J.J. Stokes

#2 Rick Neuheisel vs. #3 Randy Cross

Group 3

#1 Jackie Robinson vs. #4 Gail Goodrich

#2 Terry Donahue vs. #3 Al Scates

Group 4

#1 Bill Walton vs. #4 Walt Hazzard

#2 Troy Aikman vs. #3 Reggie Miller

In the coming days, you’ll see posts such as “UCLA’s Most Beloved: John Wooden vs. J.D. Morgan.” The first post will be set tomorrow, as well as the accompanying poll. Be sure to vote!

GO BRUINS!!!