Lavin Decides to Shelve Bruins’ Black Uniforms

The black uniforms that drew so much attention last season are a thing of the past--sort of.

In their place, with the change from Reebok to Adidas and plans for slight deviations each year with the new outfitter, are navy blue uniforms, which also feature a dark shade, but one that is related to the traditional colors of blue and gold. The other change is that UCLA will be written in a gold cursive, similar to that on the football team’s helmets.

“I appreciate the traditionalist’s point of view as much as anybody,” said Coach Steve Lavin, recalling the mini-controversy that came with the first wearing of the black a year ago. “That’s why we’re not changing anything with our usual home-and-road look. But if we did not have an alternative third uniform, that puts us at a distinct disadvantage with the other elite programs” in recruiting because dark colors have become so popular with today’s players.

As before, they will be worn only a handful of times and never at Pauley Pavilion. The likely unveiling will be in Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor Classic just before Christmas.