Meet the Bloggers: Bruin Roar

I am running a segment here at SoCal Sports Hub where I will be interviewing some of the best and brightest bloggers in all of Southern California. So, what’s the point of this little feature? Well, these guys spend countless hours writing and promoting their blogs so a little recognition is well-deserved. So without further ado, the third edition goes to one of our very own syndicated websites, Bruin Roar.

1. The Breakdown
Name: CalPolyBruinFan
Location: Southern California
Favorite Teams: UCLA

2. Where did the idea for Bruin Roar come from?
I spent a lot of time on UCLA message boards and wanted to have a place where I could write down my thoughts about all things Bruin. A true web log in every sense. I also new that other fans were tired of UCLA blogs that had the singular focus of lambasting Karl Dorrell (back when he was the head coach). I tried to keep mine about the team and the players.

3. For a person who has never visited Bruin Roar, why should they make it a daily stop?
I subtitled Bruin Roar, “a unique UCLA football blog”. I don’t try and follow every news story surrounding the football program because there are lots of sites that do that. I try and focus on the stories that the mainstream media misses. Like the background of recruits, statical breakdowns, and analysis of the team’s performance. I try to write about things that you won’t see anywhere else.

I also have another author on my site who creates the most amazing and hysterical farks on the web. His creativity and skill are unparalleled. If you are looking to tickle your funny bone and poke a little fun at our UCLA’s rivals, then Bruin Roar should be your first and last stop.

4. Do you simply blog for fun or are you trying to make a career out of it? What does the future entail for Bruin Roar?
Naw, just for fun. I don’t make much money from advertisers; just enough to pay for some beer at my tail gates. I’m just going to keep blogging and writing about things that interest me and hope that others also find it interesting.

5. Many young blogs struggle to get good readership. How did you promote Bruin Roar? Message Boards? E-mails? Link Exchanges?
Mainly message boards because that’s where the die-hard Bruin fans live on the net. I also did a stint on an internet radio show (The Bruin Show) that helped draw attention to my site. I’ve exchanged links with other sites and have been syndicated by great sites like SoCal Sports Hub.

6. What are the most rewarding and frustrating things about blogging?
The most rewarding part is when I get e-mail and comments on the blog from people expressing their gratitude for the stories I write. The frustrating part is finding time to write. With a full time job, a family, and other commitments, it isn’t always easy.

7. One of the things that impresses us about Bruin Roar is its a narrow focus, blogging solely about UCLA football. How difficult is it, during the dreadfully long off-season, to come up with enough material to keep readers entertained?
After spending an entire year blogging, the one thing I learned is that there is no off-season in college football. After the season ends, there is LOI day, spring football, summer drills, fall camp and the NFL draft. Recruiting is the life blood of college teams and that happens year round. There never seems to be a shortage of things to write about!

This off season was particularly busy with the coaching change. I had more hits on my blog after the Las Vegas bowl, when the search for a new head coach was really heating up, then I did during the entire season. There is also a lot of buzz around Westwood with the arrival of coaches Neuheisel and Chow and the fans are always looking for more information about their progress with the program.

8. Was Karl Dorrell made the scapegoat or was he really the problem for the Bruins?Probably a little bit of both. He had his hands tied when he came to UCLA with low pay for assistants and an administration that wasn’t willing to make football a priority. That being said, he didn’t do himself any favors. He was young, inexperienced and made a lot of mistakes during his time in Westwood. In particular, he tried to make an NFL offense work on the college level. Very few coaches have had consistent success making that happen.

9. With injuries to Pat Cowan and Ben Olson. Who is going to be the starter at quarterback for the Bruins in the season opener against Tennessee.
I think Ben will be ready in time to start against the Vols. However, If history is any indication of the future then Kevin Craft, his current backup, better be ready to play.

10. With the recent O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush scandals at USC, what should the punishment be for the Trojans?
USC has a history of great success but that has fostered a culture where the fans, players, and coaches expect to win at all costs. That has built them into a collegiate sports powerhouse but it looks like the chickens have finally come home to roost. I think the loss of a few scholarships, some post season bans, and probation are in store for the Trojans. They won’t get a serious punishment even though they probably deserve it!