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Counselor,
I posted that thread over on the General Board because it seemed so absurd, I didn't know how many people would respond. I have worked with umpires across the country and have encountered every shape, size, color and folicle coverage. Some of the best in D-1 sport goatees and moustaches, but I've encountered only a handful with full beards. I've seen dozens at the high schol level, where conformity and appearance often takes a back seat to availability.
The point I tried to make was that there are many officials across the country that have facial hair. Although many assignors construe this as inappropriate or unprofessional, we often comply just because we want the games. I have seen officials work professional games in blue jeans, college guys in warm up and high school umpires in red dazzle cloth shirts. All of them looked silly, but they got the job done. I could care less if my partner looks like Grizzly Adams or Pee Wee Herman. I have a feeling that most of the coaches we encounter feel the same way.
I took issue with the assertion that only black people sport facial hair in the upper officiating circles. We know that is not true.
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