[stripes]

Maybe this is not the most politically correct thing to bring up, but I do remember Ms. Ortiz DeValle's court case against the NBA when it was originally filed. It made the papers. Remember that the NBA is very image conscience. All of the officials they hire now fit a certain body type--broad shoulders, small waist, tight butt, etc.--very athletic look (BTW, Ms. Katner and Ms. Pamer fit this "look"). Ms. Ortiz DeValle, however, did not meet this at all. I remember seeing her photo (in USBL uniform in the newspaper) and thinking that she must be kidding herself if she thought the NBA would be serious about her, based on physical appearance only.

Now, I don't know a thing about Ms. Ortiz DeValle personally or about her abilities as an official (although I do beleive that she was involved in a very serious accident and her officiating days are now over), but there is more to officiating, than just what calls you do/don't make. I can tell you for a fact that most D1 conferences are looking for officials with the same type of "look" as the NBA for the new officials that they hire. This may never be writtne or published, but believe me it is an issue that the assignors look at. So even if you are a great game official, you may never get hired based on physical appearance alone.