Shoes, Drinks, and Such

[BlitzkriegBob]

Okay refnrev, you have inspired me to ask some of the questions that have been keeping me awake at night. Well, maybe not keeping me awake but at least I've been curious about them.

1. Do you wear your uniform to your match, or do you change at the site?
2. If you wear your uniform, do you wear your shoes also or do you change shoes inside the gym?
3. Do you accept offers of bottled water from the host administration?

Since I'm in between volleyball and softball right now, I like to read other forums on occasion. I've compiled these questions from comments I've seen within the basketball forum. I understand that basketball officials work up a sweat from running up and down the court, so I can see why they like to compare the dressing rooms and shower facilities they run across. As for me, I have always changed at work before I left for my matches. I have only ever had one partner who came to the site in street clothes, asking for a dressing room. But then he is a basketball official and maybe that's just what he is used to.

My first year officiating, I always wore a regular pair of sneakers into the gym and then changed into my court shoes once I was at the scorers table. I've never had a partner who changed shoes. It occurred to me that anything I picked up outdoors could be dragged in regardless of the shoes I was wearing, so changing shoes stopped making sense. Of course, I make sure to (obsessively) wipe my feet as soon as I enter the school to make sure I'm not leaving a trail.

The topic of accepting complimentary drinks was a little amusing to me. Some basketball officials felt that opposing coaches could perceive that bottle of water as being a bribe, and therefore it should be declined. Those same officials always took their own drink or drank from water fountains. I personally never ask for a bottle of water, but if offered (which it is about 90% of the time) I almost always accept. A few partners I've had were not shy about raiding the concession stand after a match, but I've only taken water except when I'm working a tournament and might accept an offered hot dog or hamburger. I've never felt that a bottle of water is a bribe.