Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich
Do officials with belts work your state tournament?
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Absolutely. Some of our best officials wear belts. I will admit that, of those top officials, those that are also college officials never wear a belt, and haven't worn belts for about twenty-five years. Of the others that work the state tournament, the older veterans, will wear belts, while up and coming youngsters, especially those with college ambitions, usually don't.
Also, here in Connecticut, state tournament officials are 100% selected by coaches. Coaches care about whether, or not, an official can make the tough calls; whether, or not, an official will work to get into proper position; whether, or not, an official will communicate with the coaches; and will have no interest in whether, or not, an official wears a belt, they probably don't even notice.
I fully understand why some of you care about belts, or no belts, it's part of the guidelines, and expectations, in your local, or state, high school associations. I am assuming that in your areas an official is expected, either in writing, or by word of mouth, to wear beltless pants if they want to move up, including moving all the way up to state tournament games. I get that, and have no problem with that along the lines of, "When in Rome ...".
What I don't get is why many of you can't fathom that, here in my local association, among our 325 members, belts are neither encouraged, not are they discouraged, and one's rating, and ranking, and number, and level of games assigned, does not depend on whether, or not, one wears a black belt.