Happy New Year from Go Joe Bruin, Fight Fight Fight!

Go Joe Bruin site expert Mike Regalado would like to thank you for all your UCLA support in 2017 and would also like to thank his partners in crime, the magnificent writers and friends of GJB. And someone else. That’s right. You.

What the hell just happened? 2017 was messed uuuuuuuuuuup (channeling ‘Rick and Morty’). I thought 2016 was a gut punch, but then comes 2017, which was essentially a kick to the junk with the perpetrator yelling at me that it was my fault for the hit. Sad. And then you thin about UCLA sports. Oi.

RELATED: GO BRUINS!

Though it feels like I have personally been put through the ringer this year, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way as well, to paraphrase Sir Elton John, we are still standing. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And how about dem Bruins? Basketball had Balls, and now they don’t. They have been shipped off to Lithuania. And what the hell happened in China? I’m still scratching my head. I’m just glad Cody Riley’s and Jalen Hill’s parents did not pulled them out of school… because they are good parents. By the way, no hate to the Ball Family, especially you, Lonzo. We’ll miss you. And to your haters, “you suck”. Go Lakers.

And football. We broke up and got back together. But I think we can now make it work.

More from Go Joe Bruin

I am not going to lie, I liked Jim Mora. Maybe too much for some of you, but I did like his love for his players. I also like the sacred “W” and it seems the Bruins could be destined for a lot of those with Chip Kelly. So, BOOM.

Cori Close has been doing an amazing job with the Women’s basketball team and this year they have a really good chance to go far in the NCAA Tournament. SO WHY ARE YOU NOT WATCHING THEM? CLICK HERE —> UCLA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE. COMMIT IT TO MEMORY AND GET TO PAULEY PAVILION!!! I’m watching you.

And what about the Men’s water polo team winning UCLA’s 114th nation championship? Though Stanford finally (took you long enough) took they lead in most NCAA titles a short time after this, they didn’t get it without a Fight Fight Fight.

And how about you, Women’s soccer? A game away from winning a second NC for Coach Cromwell. That’s a damn fine feat. Damn fine. FOLLOW THE WOMEN”S SOCCER TEAM!!!! I’m not going to repeat myself.

But I digress. It has been a roller coaster of a year, and I for one am glad to put 2017 in the trash. But it wasn’t all valleys. Go Joe Bruin has been a peak for me. Not only has it been our most successful year, but we had our own “Bruin Revolution” (so sorry, I know that is a Jim Mora thing and we are past that, but hear me out)…

Michael Chavez, Co-Site Expect for Go Joe Bruin

Thank you, Chavito! I am proud of what I have done with GJB, but you have knocked it up 100 notches. Your football insight is something that you can’t get anywhere else. You have made sense of my ramblings and have truly made GJB a place for all things UCLA football. And dude, imagine what the next year is going to be like writing about Chip Kelly? Hell yeah.

Jake Merrifield and Bill Shirley of the ‘What’s Bruin Show’

You guys, ‘LVC for Life!’ Glad to be podding with you and allowing the world to experience the extraordinary and eye rolling arguments I have endured the last two decades. You guys are podcast gold! And you never make fun of me for being vegan. *rolls eyes*

Michael Hanna, UCLA Recruiting BAE

I have never met a more cynical and correct sports analyst than Hanna. He is truly a lover of sports. Not only does he love every sport ever created (even the Aztec basketball death game of Tlachtli, this can’t be confirmed) he loves UCLA. He is GJB’s supreme recruiting ace, and honestly, the best that is out there.

Muna Osisioma, Knows More About Basketball Than You

Understandably, for the past few year, pre-Lonzo, there were not a lot of GJB writers interested in hoops. And then last year, like a Dr. J tomahawk dunk out of the blue (you have no idea who Dr. J is, do you?), Muna comes out with a coach’s perspective on the game and has given GJB’s hoop coverage a much needed boost. And don’t try to battle him, you’ll lose everytime.

David Rosenthal, GJB’s version of Neo from ‘The Matrix’

David joined Go Joe Bruin this year and has not disappointed. In fact, he is a ninja. Or Neo, as stated above. He sneaks in and out with an article that knocks you off your feet and is gone without notice, having us wonder, “who is that masked man?” His insight is envious and his attention to statistical detail is jaw-dropping. Expect more in 2018.

Nathan Eberhardt, Host with the most on the ‘UCLA B Team’ podcast

Please come back. What the hell do Chavito and I have to do to make this happen?

Honorable Mentions

Thank you to the writers who have worked with us in the past and still support us: David Goldman, Matt Wagner, Andrew Goodman, Ashley Tellier, Keir Chapman, Pete Kang and Ryan Tabb. You are welcome back anytime.

And lastly… YOU! Thank you!

GJB would not be where it is without you. Thank you, the reader, for putting up with us. I know we have had our differences, but you still rock. *Hugs*

Next: The 30 Greatest UCLA Football Players of All-Time

So now that we are heading into 2018 with our duke’s up, might I add a bit of advice… no matter what happens… Fight Fight Fight. Happy New Year.