UCLA Women's Basketball Embraces 'Mother Bruin' as March Madness Begins

Patti Close, the 80-year-old mother of head coach Cori Close, is a fixture at UCLA games and a beloved part of the team's tight-knit family culture.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 7:21pm

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As the UCLA women's basketball team opens the NCAA March Madness tournament, the presence of Patti Close, the 80-year-old mother of head coach Cori Close, is a reassuring and spirited part of the team's experience. Patti Close is a fixture at UCLA games, arriving early, cheering passionately, and providing a maternal figure for the players. The close-knit family atmosphere Cori Close has cultivated extends to including her mother, who has accompanied the team on trips abroad and is deeply involved in the program.

Why it matters

The story highlights the unique family dynamic and supportive environment that Cori Close has built around the UCLA women's basketball team. Patti Close's involvement as a beloved 'Mother Bruin' figure reflects the program's emphasis on creating a tight-knit community, which research shows can be a key factor in the success of collegiate athletic teams.

The details

Patti Close, Cori Close's 80-year-old mother, is a regular presence at UCLA women's basketball games, arriving an hour before tipoff to take her usual seat near the bench. She is known as 'Mother Bruin' and provides a maternal, spirited presence for the players. Patti Close has accompanied the team on trips abroad, and she is deeply involved in the program, helping with tasks like setting up for recruit visits. The close relationship between mother and daughter, as well as Patti's connection to the team, is seen as an important part of the program's tight-knit family culture that Cori Close has cultivated.

  • Patti Close arrives an hour before tipoff to take her usual seat near the UCLA bench.
  • The next game is Saturday, when the overall No. 2 seeded Bruins (31-1) open March Madness against 16th-seeded Cal Baptist (23-10) at Pauley Pavilion.

The players

Patti Close

The 80-year-old mother of UCLA women's basketball head coach Cori Close, who is a fixture at the team's games and a beloved 'Mother Bruin' figure.

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team, who has cultivated a tight-knit family atmosphere around the program that includes her mother Patti Close.

Kiki Rice

A senior guard on the UCLA women's basketball team who appreciates the 'family nature' of the program and the support Patti Close provides.

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What they’re saying

“She's like the mayor.”

— Cori Close, Head Coach, UCLA Women's Basketball

“It's really cool to see the kind of family nature within the program. Patti is so supportive and always around, and she gets her friends involved, too.”

— Kiki Rice, Senior Guard, UCLA Women's Basketball

“It meant a lot to me.”

— Kiki Rice, Senior Guard, UCLA Women's Basketball

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The close relationship between UCLA women's basketball head coach Cori Close and her mother Patti, who is a beloved 'Mother Bruin' figure for the team, highlights the program's emphasis on creating a tight-knit family atmosphere that can be a key factor in collegiate athletic success.