A resolution commending and congratulating the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins women's basketball team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball National Championship.

Whereas, on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the University of California, Los Angeles (referred to in this preamble as UCLA) Bruins’ women’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the UCLA Bruins or the Bruins) won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the NCAA) Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship (referred to in this preamble as the National Championship) by defeating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks 79–51 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona;
Whereas this is the UCLA Bruins’ first NCAA National Championship title in women’s basketball and second women’s basketball national championship title in program history;
Whereas the Bruins' win against South Carolina secured UCLA’s 126th NCAA team national championship, the second most of any program in the NCAA;
Whereas Head Coach Cori Close, in her 15th season leading the team and 18th season on the coaching staff at UCLA, led the Bruins to a 37–1 record, going undefeated in Big Ten conference play and winning both the Big Ten regular season title and the Big Ten tournament title;
Whereas 6 seniors—Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic, Gianna Kneepkens, and Charlisse Leger-Walker—scored every point for the Bruins during the National Championship game;
Whereas Betts, who finished the National Championship game with 14 points and 11 rebounds, was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player; and
Whereas the UCLA Bruins demonstrated incredible fortitude, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the season: Now, therefore be it
That the Senate—
commends the UCLA Bruins' women’s basketball team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship;
congratulates the players, coaches, staff, and managers of the UCLA Bruins’ women’s basketball team for their historic achievement; and
respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk;
UCLA Bruins’ Women’s Basketball Head Coach Cori Close; and
UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond.