Copeland’s Sports celebrates grand opening in Ackerman
By Daily Bruin Staff
May 7, 2001 9:00 p.m.
By Marion Wise
Daily Bruin Contributor
Skateboards, shoes, backpacks, swimsuits and other athletic
apparel are now available at Ackerman Union since Copeland’s
Sports opened May 1.
Copeland’s celebrated its grand opening May 7 and is
promoting sales by giving discounts on all store merchandise
through Thursday. The store is located on the B-level of Ackerman,
adjacent to the market.
“Our goal would be to offer the students a one-stop shop
for their sporting good needs,” said Jason Cochran, regional
sales manager for the store.
Patricia Eastman, executive director of the Associated Students
of UCLA, said she hopes the addition will generate more sales in
Ackerman.
For the past five years, the association has been in the red,
losing as much as $3.27 million in the 1996-97 fiscal year. This
led to its decision last May to lease space to outside vendors.
Earlier this year, ASUCLA signed a six-year lease with
Copeland’s, with the agreement that the company will not
compete with the BearWear department.
Eastman said she is pleased with the partnership with
Copeland’s.
“I’m happy with the selection of merchandise,”
Eastman said. “They worked very well to make sure the
merchandise complements what the store offers.”
In deciding which merchandise to offer at the on-campus
location, Cochran said Copeland’s spoke with representatives
from ASUCLA and the UCLA Store.
“We took into account what we felt we could offer the
students ““ selection and good service,” Cochran said.
“We’ve made special arrangements to make athletic
equipment available.”
The store’s opening has also resulted in more job
opportunities for people like Jessica Pounds, a second-year
economics student.
“I think it’s just great to have this convenience on
campus,” Pounds said. “It’s laid back; it’s
very flexible hours.”
Student athletes, including first-year biology student and
basketball player Gennifer Arranaga, are pleased with the new
addition.
“I like it. It has stuff I need,” Arranaga said.
