[officialtony]

This year our association actually picked up games for an entire conference because two coaches complained that the officials doing their games last year did not look professional. It put more money into our pockets and got us a big " atta boy " from our assignor because we looked profesional in ALL of our appearances at games.
Don't believe for one minute that coaches and athletes are NOT looking at us when we hit the field.

In addition, I FIRMLY believe that we get less grief because we LOOK like we know what we are doing when we look like we are professional. It always helps to sell our calls because we look the part.

I don't know what level you were doing, but always dress like a professional and be proud of the time and money you have commited to being a professional.