LAUSD sports teams should be ordering new uniforms by next week

The guidelines are being finalized, a reference book is being printed and as soon as next week, the 83 high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District should be able to start ordering new sports uniforms for the 2016-17 school year.

That’s the word from Trent Cornelius, the district’s coordinator of athletes. LAUSD approved $9 million to be used for new uniforms four weeks ago.

“It is happening,� Cornelius said. “It’s just we had to put in checks and balances to save schools from themselves.�

In other words, some wanted to splurge and buy expensive uniforms for the varsity while leaving the junior varsity with old uniforms. Not going to happen. Each sport will have a limit on what can be spent for a uniform. Football’s limit is $175 and $350 for a pair. You can’t spend $100 on JVs and put the rest into varsity.

Also a coach needs approval from the admininstration on color changers, so there’s no controversy on who made the decision on changing uniform colors.

“Regardless of sport or gender, everyone is being dealt with the same way,� Cornelius said.

If a school wants to customize its uniforms, that means a delay of up to 10 weeks, so don’t expect customized football uniforms to be ready by zero week.

The good news is starting next week, schools should be able to begin placing orders for uniforms, Cornelius said.

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