by Travis Normand
On Tuesday (October 30, 2012) Peter Yoon posted the following entry on his blog at ESPNLosAngeles.com: [emphasis added]
UCLA to wear alternate uniform Saturday
By Peter Yoon – ESPNLosAngeles.com
Oct. 30 – 7:10 pm PTLOS ANGELES — The UCLA Bruins will wear an alternate uniform for their homecoming game against Arizona on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl, athletic director Dan Guerrero announced Tuesday in his weekly blog.
The uniforms include dark blue jerseys with UCLA blue numbers, dark blue pants and dark blue helmet and are called “L.A. Night” by manufacturer adidas. Guerrero wrote that the decision is supported by coach Jim Mora and the team captains.
“As a Bruin for life, I strongly value UCLA’s traditions, but alternate uniforms in non-traditional colors represent a 21st century trend that, when done tastefully, synchronizes the familiar with the fresh,” Guerrero wrote in his blog.
The Bruins last wore an alternate uniform last season during a 50-0 loss to USC. Then it was an all-white version, including the helmet. Guerrero hinted that the Bruins would wear other alternate uniforms in the future, but had no plans of abandoning the traditional.
“Coach Mora loves our standard home uniform, so you can count on us continuing to sport our familiar look with only the occasional alternate,” Guerrero wrote.
A photo of the uniform for Saturday is on the UCLA Instagram page.
After reading his entry, I went to the UCLA Instagram page in order to check out the new uniform.
Afterwards, I tried to find athletic director Dan Guerrero’s blog announcement, as I planned on using it as the source for my post concerning the same topic. However, unless I am completely blind (which is a total possibility), it appears the announcement is no longer up at UCLABruins.com. If it is, please let me know by posting a link to it below in the comments.
The most recent blog entry I could find for Guerrero was dated October 23, 2012. Seeing that October 23 was the previous Tuesday, I figured that it was most likely the same Tuesday that Yoon was referring too in his ESPN blog.
The only mention of the UCLA vs. Arizona game that I could find in this October 23 blog entry reads:
Next Football Home Game – November 3 vs. Arizona
After returning from Tempe, the Bruins will host the Arizona Wildcats in the annual homecoming/parents weekend game at 7:30 pm on Saturday, November 3 at the Rose Bowl. Tickets start at just $19 apiece and are available by visiting UCLABruins.com or calling 310-UCLA-WIN (825-2946).
No mention of a uniform there.
I even checked the football page for some kind of announcement, but still I had no luck in finding anything that mentioned a new uniform.
Anyway, I am not saying the announcement doesn’t exist or that UCLA doesn’t have a new uniform for its game against Arizona. I am just saying that I can’t seem to find anything official. Who knows!?
As for the uniform itself — it’s not that bad. In fact, of all the new uniforms Adidas has churned out over the past couple of months, this one is probably my favorite. However, I am not a fan of schools getting away from their identity in order to simply promote a cool new look.
Call me old-fashioned but when I see UCLA take the field, I expect to see that UCLA (light) blue and gold.
OnePointSafety 