Coaches who are also Officials

[Texas Aggie]

I've coached a church/recreational league the past 2 years. For the most part, the officials have done a terrific job. They are volunteering, so I'm not going to criticize anything. I have found myself giving the travel or other violation signal here and there but not too bad. This year, I had the 1/2 grade where we don't keep score and the only real issue we had was a lack of rules knowledge on a couple of things. They were calling violations for the thrower-in stepping on the line (still OOB) and I got with them after the game and got that corrected.

I spoke with the league guy and I think I might take over as the supervisor next year. We will need to improve our rules knowledge and look just a little more professional.

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts?

That's micro-managing, imo.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I've coached a church/recreational league the past 2 years. For the most part, the officials have done a terrific job. They are volunteering, so I'm not going to criticize anything. I have found myself giving the travel or other violation signal here and there but not too bad. This year, I had the 1/2 grade where we don't keep score and the only real issue we had was a lack of rules knowledge on a couple of things. They were calling violations for the thrower-in stepping on the line (still OOB) and I got with them after the game and got that corrected.

I spoke with the league guy and I think I might take over as the supervisor next year. We will need to improve our rules knowledge and look just a little more professional.

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

My thought is that this is church/wreck league and you are taking this WAY too seriously and looking to show who's in charge with controlling what volunteer officials wear.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

My thought is that this is church/wreck league and you are taking this WAY too seriously and looking to show who's in charge with controlling what volunteers officials wear.

He said they are volunteers -- I was assuming he was asking so he could make a big order and give them to the volunteers. I would expect any league getting volunteer referees would be supplying anything they were required to wear.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

He said they are volunteers -- I was assuming he was asking so he could make a big order and give them to the volunteers. I would expect any league getting volunteer referees would be supplying anything they were required to wear.

I agree and I was going to type something similar, but I thought that would go without saying.

Take something too seriously and require certain attire and you better pay for it or reimburse guys.

[Kansas Ref]

While watching this NCAA finals, a commercial comes on with reggie m and referee---the script had the ref whistle reggie for a food stain on his shirt---could you believe they had the ref use a quasi PC signal and blowing a silver metal pea whistle?
Then next,this viagra commersh comes on and they have the woman dressed in nondescript cheap looking blue illegal jersey number.
OMG hollywood really mis-represents officials.

Excuse me from the above digress, regarding your uniform shorts that is a fine idea I would suggest all black with no inordinately large vis logo athletic long pants instead of shorts.

[Multiple Sports]

Kansas Ref -

Viagara commercials have some of the most beautiful women in their mid 40's in their commercials. And you are watching the commercial and commenting on her jersey number.......C'Mon brother!!!!!!

[Texas Aggie]

you are taking this WAY too seriously and looking to show who's in charge with controlling what volunteer officials wear.

You CAN NOT be serious. First of all, I do leadership training and consulting. I work with leaders and directors of all kinds of organizations. Even a few CEOs. One of the first things people who take my training courses learn is what leadership is not -- it is not about showing who's in charge. So I basically spit out my drink when I read your comment. It is like you trying to tell Roy Williams what mistakes he is making in recruiting. OK, OK maybe I'm not quite at the level in my profession that he is in his, but the comparison is still at least somewhat accurate. Feel silly yet? If not, keep reading. [OK, that comment was a little snotty; ignore!]

Second, my concerns are based on what was actually being worn. One guy was wearing a shirt with a collar. Shorts are all over the place. I don't think anyone has ever told these guys to do anything other than when to show up and wear something like a shirt and shorts -- so it isn't like they're married to their wardrobe. They have no idea there are better, more professional looking, products out there. I'm simply going to say something like, "hey guys, let's look a little more professional; here's a good quality shirt and a good brand of shorts if you are looking for suggestions." And yes, I'd be happy to give or buy the guys a shirt and some shorts if for whatever reason they won't get them themselves. If you were doing this league and a guy wanted to wear his old football knickers, would you let him? What about a rock concert t-shirt? Something inappropriate at a church (where this league is being played)? If you want to call clothing suggestions micro-managing, fine, but where does it start and stop?

Finally, this is one reason why I don't come on this forum much -- I wasn't really looking for advice, or for that matter input, on ANYTHING other than a brand of a pair of shorts. [AremRed -- thank you for your suggestions]

I asked because some of you do summer and rec leagues and wear brands that I may not be familiar with. Asking a question like, "are you sure you want to go to this level with volunteers..." may have been reasonable, but making accusations or trying to lecture me based on YOUR inaccurate assumptions is not. Yeah, I probably sound a little defensive (and I apologize for that) but each one on here SHOULD know better. You're criticizing a colleague without getting the entire story. Hell, you hardly have ANY of the story. Tell me with a straight face you'd want me doing that to you -- especially on something you didn't ask for any input on.

If you really believed that your comments to me were something I needed to take to heart, you need to do the same here. Right??

Oh, and one more thing (if you're still reading): if I do take this over, these guys are going to show up on a Saturday morning to a room with towels, a couple of coolers full of water/sports drinks/sodas and an assortment of breakfast foods. I don't know what as of now, but by the end of the league, they will get a very nice gift. I will ask the league for SOME of this in the budget but I suspect I will cover most of it myself. I also have some contacts with some name recognition who I can probably get to write each of them a glowing letter of appreciation. Like a men's Div. 1 head coach. I'll try to do something like that. All that for getting MAYBE 1 or 2 small items of clothing that I don't think any of them will have a problem with anyway.

I will ask them at the end of the league if I took this WAY too seriously.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

You CAN NOT be serious. First of all, I do leadership training and consulting. I work with leaders and directors of all kinds of organizations. Even a few CEOs. One of the first things people who take my training courses learn is what leadership is not -- it is not about showing who's in charge. So I basically spit out my drink when I read your comment. It is like you trying to tell Roy Williams what mistakes he is making in recruiting. OK, OK maybe I'm not quite at the level in my profession that he is in his, but the comparison is still at least somewhat accurate. Feel silly yet? If not, keep reading. [OK, that comment was a little snotty; ignore!]

Second, my concerns are based on what was actually being worn. One guy was wearing a shirt with a collar. Shorts are all over the place. I don't think anyone has ever told these guys to do anything other than when to show up and wear something like a shirt and shorts -- so it isn't like they're married to their wardrobe. They have no idea there are better, more professional looking, products out there. I'm simply going to say something like, "hey guys, let's look a little more professional; here's a good quality shirt and a good brand of shorts if you are looking for suggestions."

Your original request did sound like you wanted to require volunteers to wear a specific pair of shorts.

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

That did sound overboard for paid officials, much less volunteers. You didn't make it sound like it was going to be a suggestion. In your current reply, you made it clear that it was going to be a suggestion. But, that isn't how your original post on the topic read.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I asked because some of you do summer and rec leagues and wear brands that I may not be familiar with.

The summer leagues I work have one of two requirements: shorts allowed; long pants required.

That's it (well, for the shorts -- a striped shirt is required). No mention of brand, length, etc. And, frankly, that's all it should be.

[UNIgiantslayers]

Target brand (C9?) black gym shorts are great for me. Logo is nearly invisible, above the knee, slim and not too baggy. That's what I reffed all of my rec league games in before my early retirement from that stuff this year.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

Like others noted: they're volunteers, so unless you're planning on buying the shorts I'd steer clear here.

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

I used to spring for Nike shorts, but picked up a couple pairs of Russell Athletic shorts at Walmart before a camp last year and they have become my favorite. The Nike ones are quite poofy whereas the Russell Athletics shorts have a slimmer, more athletic cut.