UCLA Honors Jackie Robinson with New Retro Baseball Uniforms
UCLA unveiled new retro baseball uniforms on Monday, April 13. The throwbacks will be worn during a weeklong celebration honoring Jackie Robinson.
Design and details
The set includes a navy blue hat with the UCLA script B logo. Cream-colored jerseys and pants feature navy piping and a block “Bruins” wordmark across the chest.
Each player will wear his own last name on the back. Every jersey will also carry Robinson’s iconic No. 42.
Presentation and people
The uniforms were revealed to the media and UCLA’s No. 1-ranked team. Sonya Pankey led the presentation.
Pankey is Jackie Robinson’s eldest granddaughter. She also serves as executive vice president of brand development for The Jackie Robinson Estate.
Ceremony and game schedule
Pankey is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at the next night’s game against UC Santa Barbara. Her appearance follows a pregame ceremony on that night.
UCLA has four home games during the celebration. Promotions include raffles, giveaways, and special offers for fans.
- Prizes for fans wearing Jackie Robinson jerseys
- Legacy hat giveaways
- $1 hot dogs for the first 142 fans in attendance
Robinson’s legacy at UCLA and in baseball
Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. MLB commemorates that day annually as Jackie Robinson Day, when No. 42 is worn across the leagues.
Robinson grew up in Pasadena, California. He lettered at UCLA in baseball, basketball, football and track from 1939 to 1941.
UCLA has honored him in several ways. The campus features a No. 42 monument by the John Wooden Recreation Center and a baseball stadium named after him.
Messages to the team
Pankey urged players to view Robinson’s life as a guide for leadership and service. Many Bruins players attended the event wearing navy blue “42” hoodies.
She emphasized Robinson’s role as a change agent and advocate for social justice. Pankey encouraged athletes to build their own legacies and open doors for future generations.
Reported for Filmogaz.com. The university’s new retro uniforms and the weeklong program aim to connect Robinson’s history with today’s student-athletes.
