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'Mother Bruin' brings support as the UCLA women open March Madness
Patti Close has supported UCLA women's basketball since 2011, attending games and aiding recruitment to strengthen team unity and player development.
- On Saturday, the overall No. 1 seeded Bruins open March Madness against 16th-seeded Cal Baptist at Pauley Pavilion, with UCLA head coach Cori Close's mother, Patti Close, courtside.
- Patti Close, 80, has accompanied the team to Europe and Africa, finding purpose in the program following the death of her husband, Don, a few years ago.
- An interior designer for 35 years, Patti Close dispenses decorating tips to support staff and frequently bunks at her daughter's home on game nights where players cook and watch movies together.
- The team's family atmosphere reassures recruit parents, with Bruins senior guard Kiki Rice saying, "It's really cool to see the kind of family nature within the program."
- Cori Close views her mother's presence as "sort of a safety net for me, too," grounding her amid the high-pressure coaching environment whether the season ends with championship or tournament loss.
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23 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 35%
C 60%
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