Quote:
Originally posted by Smitty
Quote:
Originally posted by JRutledge
Smitty,
I was not really trying to convince you of anything. If in your second year you feel there is nothing wrong with that, then there is nothing wrong with it. I am sure there is someone that feels the way I do in your area and those are the people you will have to contend with, not me. Just keep in mind you will be judged by many things that are off the court as well as those things that you do on it.
Good discussion. 
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JR, for what it's worth, this is my 12th year officiating, it's my 2nd here in Portland. I moved from the Bay Area, California, where I last worked. I honestly have learned a lot about how to carry myself and how to take crticism from veteran officials over the years. I used to be one of those guys who thought I was better than I was and couldn't look beyond what I perceived as arrogance to see that some of those guys were actually right about what they were trying to tell me (like that I called to much ticky-tack stuff). I ended up taking 5 years off before I started up again last year, and I really am a different official now. I understand advantage/disadvantage - when I read about some of these first and second year officials gripe about not getting better games, I just shake my head. Learning advantage/disadvantage takes a lot of experience. This message board has been a wealth of information - like a case book on steroids - and it only helps to reinforce the rules that I know. Honestly, I am inclined to always now dress at the site from now on based on this thread. But that's my own decision for my own reasons. I will still not judge anyone else's decision to come to the gym dressed.
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Around here, Smitty, we swing both ways, so to speak. Frankly, it's frustrating, because so many schools have no provisions for refs to change. Seriously, I can't tell you how awful some of the places are. When I know for sure that the situation is bad, I just dress at home, or bring a sweater to wear over my stripes, and then "change" behind the bleachers or something. The new Centennial is just plain unbelievable for women refs. Completely and totally unacceptable. I WON'T go there again at all, if I can help it. I don't think there's too many who will criticize you for changing at home or work, if you show up on time for pre-game, with a snappy looking uniform and a great attitude. And, Smitty, you never do less than that! (it's okay for me to say that, tomegun, I've worked with him before!)