[Bette]

College football is all about traditions. At Florida State Chief Osceola throws a flaming spear into the ground to announce the Seminoles arrival on the field. At Clemson, players touch "Howeards Rock" as a promise to give their all. At UCLA, players run away.
The Bruins went "over the wall" Tuesday, an UCLA football tradition in which players bolt from practice for a day off--high tailing it through a gate instead of scaling the practice facility wall as tradition demands.
It left Bruins coaches angry, high school coaches and potential recruits in attendance puzzled, and fans questioning the team's commitment. First year coach Rick Neuheisel tried to put a light touch on it saying, "Maybe we can banish it forever since no one went over the wall."
The "over the wall" tradition dates back about 30 years.

UCLA football players' ditch day gets a harsh reaction - Los Angeles Times

is this a tradition that should be discontinued?

[Lefty Noob]

Absolutely. So the team's looking to rebound from a poor season. They left officials, coaches and recruits high and dry. What kind of stupid tradition is this? It definitely makes the Bruins look bad. As the one coach said, "I guess that's why they're in the Lay's Potato Chips Bowl every year."

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Absolutely. So the team's looking to rebound from a poor season. They left officials, coaches and recruits high and dry. What kind of stupid tradition is this? It definitely makes the Bruins look bad. As the one coach said, "I guess that's why they're in the Lay's Potato Chips Bowl every year."

Can you imagine how embarrassing this was for the coaches? Neuheisel had to apologize to officials who were brought in for the scrimmage.
And the recruits are wondering what kind of school is this anyway?
Former Coach Donahue said that Neuheisel was one of the big instigators for it when he was a junior and senior. What goes around comes around I guess.
And like you said, coming of a poor season, definitely doesnt make for a good impression.