Speaks Out

Friday, February 5, 1999

Speaks Out

Speaks Out

Coach Lavin and the players made black jerseys as an occasional
alternative to supplement the standard blue jerseys on the road,
and the black uniforms have appeared at the Puerto Rico Classic,
Louisville and Washington. Should the team have been allowed to
bring black into the Bruin wardrobe?

"I don’t like the idea of black basketball jerseys at all. We
shouldn’t be copying other teams. UCLA needs to be its own
individual personality. I think we should stick with blue and gold
because that’s UCLA; they’re our colors."

Karen Finch

Second-year

Undeclared

"Blue and gold – those are our school colors. Black isn’t. But,
I realize the players are the ones that have to wear them. So, even
though it looks like crap, if the players like it, they should have
the choice to wear it. It’s team spirit. Hey, if it makes them more
confident, by all means, they should be able to keep wearing the
uniforms."

Jason Gross

Second-year

Women’s studies

"Black jerseys are really cool. It’s aggressive. They have the
blue writing still, so it’s kind of unique. But the black makes the
team look more aggressive. They should keep the white jerseys for
home games, but have black for the road."

Kamran Mirrafati

Second-year

Microbiology and molecular genetics

"I hate the jerseys. They are so bland. I don’t like the color.
The jerseys really don’t represent UCLA. The players wanted them,
that’s right, but it’s not the school color. And, also, I don’t
like the length of their shorts, but that’s for another issue."

Kurtulus Oztopcu

Alumnus, 1986, Ph.D.

Near Eastern languages

"I like them. I think they’re different. They’re pretty unique;
they look good. I do like the white jerseys at home and the blue
jerseys away, but to add a little variety, the black jerseys are
great. Every once in awhile is good, but we gotta keep the blue
because blue is our school color."

Olivia Sanwong

Third-year

Applied math

"I don’t like the black jersey because it’s not UCLA’s color.
When I think of UCLA, I think of blue and gold, not black. The
players shouldn’t be allowed to choose what to wear. It would mean
they should be allowed to wear purple if they wanted to. They
should wear what the school colors are and represent the school,
not what they think looks cool."

Jana Summers

Second-year

Undeclared

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