[DownTownTonyBrown]

The answer about liability/responsibility is rather simple. Isn't it?

The officials are responsible for conduct of the game. And, you don't become an official by acquiring a game assignment. You become an official for high school athletics by taking and passing the NFHS Part II test.

A college freshman/sophmore blinged out and wearing sweats is likely not certified. A derelict off the street is likely not certified either. So for my mind it is not a far stretch to say that if I work with someone that is not certified, I am the only one that is responsible, and therefore liable, for the conduct of the game. I am now responsible for the derelict's (or other future society dropout's) method of conducting the game - his calls, his lack of calls, the collisions that happen in his primary area, the fights that will ensue... All my responsibility/liability.

There is no way I would work a high school varsity match with such a derelict. Perhaps a Junior high or lesser but I don't think I would work even a JV match that I didn't know the other official had taken the NFHS test (perhaps not passed but at least taken). Sweats maybe for the lower levels. Jewelry - NO WAY.

You want to work? You come properly prepared, in the correct uniform, and at a proper time. If you don't know the correct answer for those three items, then you don't belong here. I can help you later, and I would be happy to help you, but right now I've got to work this game and I'm working it alone.