The Gold "C"

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 6:34 PM PDT in Basketball

So I have been reading the discussion about the gold "C" commemorating our 100 championships on our Ben Ball jerseys. Here is another look courtesy of some freshman kid we got from Oregon:

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian (ESPN)

There is lot of mumble grumble going on about that gold C. And it's not just coming from comment threads in BN. From Brian:

"Ah, I don't know about the different color `C,"' Collison said.

And from Diane (you knew she was going to be all over the fashion angle):

Mata-Real thought the jersey was "ugly," several of the players admitted they hadn't known what the yellow "C" stood for, and there was a sense Howland wasn't enthusiastic about the design -- even from only a few feet away, it appeared as if the "C" was missing.

Shortly after the media gathering ended, it was announced that the yellow "C" would be redesigned, possibly with a blue outline.

What do I think about it? Meh. But since it didn't seem to go over so well with the players (and reportedly Howland?), looks like there will be a little changeup with a blue outline around the letter.

I am again little ambivalent about it. I will tell you though that I despised the black uniforms that was rolled out under Lavin, and I also didn't like all yellow home uniforms that was rolled out under Harrick (man Donnie Mac look like a clown in those). But as far as the gold C with blue outlines, hey whatever. But what do you all think about that? Does that solve your issue?

I am just thankful we have the best coach in college basketball leading our program. Plus I am slightly intrigued about that freshman kid from Oregon, who looks pretty giddy sporting U.C.L.A. on his white home jersey. I hear he has all the potential to "make a move" this season.

Like I said 30 more days.

Ben Ball ... my happy place.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

I made my points elsewhere, but will reiterate

Point 1: Why change the best uniform ever designed?

Point 2: At other schools, bball may be something that can be changed as often as as Oregon changes its football uniforms. At UCLA, those banners mean Tradition. (Cue Topol to start singing from "Fiddler on the Roof.") So if you don't see a gold C on Hazzard or Alcindor/Jabbar or any of the others, then it doesn't belong on our guys now. It just doesn't.

Point 3: If 100 merits a change in the C, where was the change in the L at 50.

Point 4: Keep the #%&*# advertising people OUT OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.

by Fox 71 on Oct 10, 2007 6:49 PM PDT reply actions

Gold outline on the "C"

The solid gold C stands out too much, and does not look very classy, imo. In contrast, a gold border on an otherwise normal C still gets the same message across, but without detracting from the classic look of the unis.

by bruinhoo on Oct 10, 2007 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

No "C" on Hazard's home uniform

Well, you wouldn't have seen a 'C' at all on the home uniform worn by Hazard because it said "Bruins" on them. But yeah, the gold 'C' is ugly.

by bruin90210 on Oct 10, 2007 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Hazzard's uniform

You're right - The first banner was won with "Bruins" on the uniform.

Interesting that we are talking about Walter Hazzard - number 42. I don't think he would mind having his number worn by Love.

by Fox 71 on Oct 10, 2007 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

They asked him as a courtesy

He's fine with it. He wanted to do whatever was necessary to help the program, including promising his number to Love if he signed with us.

by Tydides on Oct 10, 2007 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions

They asked Walt?

I wasn't aware of that. Very cool, thanks for bringing that up.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Oct 11, 2007 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Put a First to 100 logo on the back under collar

small one, right under the collar in the middle. People will ask, announcers will make some comment. Thats all thats necessary. Im not a fan of the yellow C.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Oct 10, 2007 7:22 PM PDT reply actions

I agree

Kind of like this, but bigger

by Tydides on Oct 10, 2007 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

exactly

bigger but right location.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Oct 10, 2007 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions

My question is...

Did anyone ever ask Coach what his opinion of the uni change was? If it's good enough for JRW then it's good enough for me.

by psyberchologist on Oct 10, 2007 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

Here's my opinion

I don't care for the C, though I relish what it stands for. I really hope they change it, but if not, at the end of the day, all I care about is that we win. Ben Ball has never been about looking pretty, but rather about wearing the opponent out and outcoaching and outplaying them. So I say "please change it.. give it an outline or something, but if not, whatever."

Also, the official athletic site uclabruins.com has an update on the Pauley Renovation! I am too lazy to write a diary about it, so Nestor et. al, please be sure to check it out! Hmm, also CBH is hosting a clinic for bball coaches! It's great to see that he is so well-regarded that he's actually coaching other coaches!

Proud to be a lifelong Bruin

by omnigeno on Oct 10, 2007 8:01 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed

I relish what it stands for as well.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Oct 10, 2007 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

JUST TERRIBLE

Why can't UCLA hire some good graphics people? The first to 100 logo is pathetic as well. NOTHING is subtle. How about keeping the blue "C" but with a small gold border? How about a small "100" sewn into the bottom bar of the "C"? WHY IS EVERYTHING SO TACKY AND OSTENTATIOUS? (Except KD, of course. He's quiet and perfect)

by greatgymnasticschool on Oct 10, 2007 8:02 PM PDT reply actions

love

Great picture. Greatness.

by hawk on Oct 10, 2007 8:05 PM PDT reply actions

Will this work?

I don't mind the gold "c" but I would rather have something everyone can agree on. If the blue outline doesn't please everyone, I think a patch might be the way to go.

by 09Bruin on Oct 10, 2007 8:07 PM PDT reply actions

better

but to my eye, that C looks more like a Berkeley emblem than something from UCLA. A blue C with a gold border is still my ideal.

by bruinhoo on Oct 10, 2007 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions

In the End Zone

I think the "C" was discolored at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. I may be mistaken, though. I'm trying my hardest to strike that game from my memory.

by uberthomas on Oct 10, 2007 8:27 PM PDT reply actions

The C at the Rose Bowl

has been that way all season long.

by bruin8uclap on Oct 10, 2007 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Either way

The yellow C doesn't really bother me (though I like the blue border). From far away, in the team photo, the C looks a lot better. These jerseys seem a little strange right now, but I think we (or I) will at least get used to the idea and it won't look terrible. Are there any changes planned on the blue away ones?

The bigger problem for me in the picture(s) is Love's beard-y thing. I've said it before: the look works for Mata, but not so much for the Oregonian.

by jaffa on Oct 10, 2007 8:33 PM PDT reply actions

To say

"why mess with the best uniform ever" is not completley accurate as one can see how there was a uniform change during the dynasty.

I do agree however that to deviate from what we have is kind of unecessary. I do think that the C is special and it will only be around for a year. Going back to the uniforms from the early dynasty, why not use that style lettering for the golden "C"?

by True Blue and Gold on Oct 10, 2007 8:41 PM PDT reply actions

Sorry N

I hate it. I like what it stands for, but it stands out like a missing tooth.

Maybe the blue border will improve it a little.

I prefer a patch or something.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 10, 2007 8:49 PM PDT reply actions

I do not like the "C",

but I only have to deal with it for a year. If it was a permanent change, then I would be really pissed off.

by trainwreck84 on Oct 10, 2007 9:10 PM PDT reply actions

Gold "C" at the Rose Bowl

This past Saturday, on our end of the field (near the student section) the C in the UCLA endzone was golden as well.

It must be some kind of cross sports promotion.

by mitch on Oct 10, 2007 9:54 PM PDT reply actions

It's embarrassing.

The gold c looks absolutely stupid. As does the bear graphic that now seems to be our symbol. They had the same gold c in the endzone at the football game and my wife and I thought it looked stupid there, too.

I have no idea who makes these decisions, but they probably love the WCO, too. I hate SC with a passion, and I hate their uniforms, but at least their trojan graphic looks cool. I get pissed off every time I see that damn bear. Now I have the gold c to add to the frustration.

by Moosen on Oct 10, 2007 9:56 PM PDT reply actions

Actually

in the endzone we have all gold letters and one blue C.

by True Blue and Gold on Oct 11, 2007 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I've sort of forgotten what the end zone

looks like. As a Tampa area resident, I haven't been to any games this year. And the end zone of the Rose Bowl has not been featured too prominently on any highlight shows (except when our opponents have scored.) Maybe you should take a picture of it and show it to Training Jay or CTS, just to remind them of where our offense is supposed to be heading.

by Fox 71 on Oct 11, 2007 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice distraction

It sure is nice to have such a solid BB program that all we have to worry about is that ugly gold "C". Like the patch idea, similar to what's on the back of the football helmets. A regular C with a gld outline would work too.

by PasadenaBruin on Oct 10, 2007 10:04 PM PDT reply actions

I love what it stands for..

but it looks totally ridiculous, it looks like something they would use at USC or the University of Miami, totally gimicky (the opposite of this basketball team). I hope they come up with something better.

by sbizzy57 on Oct 10, 2007 10:28 PM PDT reply actions

I'm in the minority

I like the differently colored C. I have seen posts after every home game here surprised about the end zone paint. This was announced in August and anyone who follows the LA Times should not have been surprised.

by MOlson on Oct 10, 2007 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

Around here

It's more of a mark of shame to admit that you read the SUC Times than it is to be surprised about this uniform change.

by Tydides on Oct 10, 2007 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions

been here more than 18 months

and I know the LA Times ain't that great, but if you want to follow UCLA you have to keep track of the Times. Dohn and the Inland Valley paper also covered the "C" story.

by MOlson on Oct 11, 2007 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions

If you want to follow SUC

you read the Times. Sporadic, poorly written, mailed in articles about our basketball team? Also the Times. Softball questions to our joke of a football coach that doesn't give their readers any substantial information? Also the Times.

Fortunately, Perelman's blog is online, so I check that every so often. I'll give them credit for that.

by Tydides on Oct 11, 2007 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't care

I've never been huge into jerseys so it's unimportant to me. We could be in pink for all I care as long as Howland and his boys keep winning,

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 10, 2007 11:02 PM PDT reply actions

It should be Howland's decision

Given his respect for tradition, I would bet he prefers leaving the unis alone, maybe accepting a small patch somewhere unobtrusive.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Oct 11, 2007 8:46 AM PDT reply actions

LAME

PATCH OR A BAND... PLEASE!! That gold "c" looks lame... and if this is kevin's only year, i don't want to look back at pictures and remember that lame looking mistake by the ucla marketing people...

by bruindodger on Oct 11, 2007 9:54 AM PDT reply actions

I prefer modesty

Winners don't need to constantly remind everyone of their success. This is trashy.

Let's hang our banners and leave it at that.

by bruinofthenorth on Oct 11, 2007 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

shirts

it's always a strike of disappointment that ucla always manages to make the weirdest shirts and designs. there's no definitive shirt like there is at cal, nor even really a color. even though powder keg blue (or whatever you want to call it), is supposed to be our color that we wear to games, there are not many shirts that are offered in it, and those that are usually don't have a very good design to them. we end up with shirts that are black and say "this is my ucla shirt" on them, or we'll get the really cool shirt that says "UCLA BRUINS FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT" but it's in navy blue (which makes you feel awkward at games, surrounded by everyone in lighter blue den shirts)

I think the marketing department for ASUCLA needs to bump up the creativity

by mitch on Oct 11, 2007 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

Disagree slightly

The marketing pinheads need to stay away from the Athletic Department. Let's not have our marketeers think it would be a swell idea to let Victoria's Secret design our jerseys, with little lacy things here and there.

I vote to have the athletic department wander over to the physics department and say "Here. This is our powderkeg blue jersey. Tell us the number of angstroms of wave lengths of blueness and powderness." Then take the scientific formula over to the marketers and say, "Here is the color blue that is UCLA. You will NOT order anything in any other color blue for the student store or anything else. This is the only color blue that will ever be associated with UCLA."

And the athletic department ought to tell the marketing dumb @#%&*'s that we don't need designer hats in pink or lemon or green or anything like that. We will have one and only one color, and that will be one and only one shade of blue.

I tried to get a bruin blue hat with a simple block UCLA on it through the bearwear catalog. It was impossible. I ended up going to a hat joint in a mall, got a hat in North Carolina blue and had a gold UCLA put on it. North Carolina blue is NOT the same, but it was better than anything in the bearwear catalog.

I guess you could say that I'm a little worked up about this. But I'm in a permanent state of emotional disarray because the state of things at UCLA. It's hard to sit here day after day with nothing from Morgan Center about giving the imposter his walking papers.

by Fox 71 on Oct 11, 2007 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Blue outline vs yellow outline

This is about what I had in mind with a blue outline, considering size/width. I don't like this yellow outline at all but am including it since people seemed to be suggesting that. The blue outline doesn't look as good as I'd hoped it would, but I do like the idea of doing something with the C.

by mbx on Oct 11, 2007 2:46 PM PDT reply actions