Go Dressed???

[Robmoz]

Last night worked a JV game where my partner was 30 minutes late, rolled in fully dressed including his game shoes which had snow in the treads. The snow melted onto the floor and first trip down the court he wiped out along with one of the players, luckily no one hurt.

His mechanics were weak to say the least and although he was a veteran official he was perceived as a rookie. It wasn't a very smooth game and the coach and the AD both commented to our assignor about the lack of professionalism.

I got an email via cc: where they told my assignor that they would have rather had me work the game alone instead of having this guy in the future. I'm proud of my own efforts to maintain a high level of professionalism and it is reflected in the quality assignments I receive.

Never underestimate the importance of "looking the part".

[Smitty]

Originally posted by Robmoz
Last night worked a JV game where my partner was 30 minutes late, rolled in fully dressed including his game shoes which had snow in the treads. The snow melted onto the floor and first trip down the court he wiped out along with one of the players, luckily no one hurt.

His mechanics were weak to say the least and although he was a veteran official he was perceived as a rookie. It wasn't a very smooth game and the coach and the AD both commented to our assignor about the lack of professionalism.

I got an email via cc: where they told my assignor that they would have rather had me work the game alone instead of having this guy in the future. I'm proud of my own efforts to maintain a high level of professionalism and it is reflected in the quality assignments I receive.

Never underestimate the importance of "looking the part".

Are you implying that things would have gone differently had he come to the gym in his street clothes and changed at the gym? Aside from the fact that he wore his game shoes in the snow (just dumb), it sounds like this guy's problems went far deeper than where he decided to put his uniform on.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Smitty
Are you implying that things would have gone differently had he come to the gym in his street clothes and changed at the gym? Aside from the fact that he wore his game shoes in the snow (just dumb), it sounds like this guy's problems went far deeper than where he decided to put his uniform on.

I will not speak for Robo at all on this one. But the actions of the official coming dressed cannot possibly add to the experience in a positive way. Maybe it is convenient for you personally and many officials, but we are judged on how we are perceived. Not much different than an official wearing glasses. The minute you miss a call, the coaches or fans start in on you about your glasses. I agree that wearing shoes in the snow is stupid, but there has been snow or rain on the ground here since my first week of the season.

Peace

[Smitty]

Originally posted by JRutledge

I will not speak for Robo at all on this one. But the actions of the official coming dressed cannot possibly add to the experience in a positive way. Maybe it is convenient for you personally and many officials, but we are judged on how we are perceived. Not much different than an official wearing glasses. The minute you miss a call, the coaches or fans start in on you about your glasses. I agree that wearing shoes in the snow is stupid, but there has been snow or rain on the ground here since my first week of the season.

Peace

I think I'm going to have to just agree to disagree with you on this. I never let my game shoes see the outside of a gym - I would absolutely agree that if the weather was crappy (snow or rain or mud) I would not wear my game pants to the game. Even if it's dry, I don't wear my game shoes to the game. But I just don't see that wearing a uniform to the game is any indication of anything. All that matters (to me) is how you carry yourself when you walk onto that court with me.

Last season I would dress at work because it was my first year here and I didn't know how to gauge the driving time to the schools, and if I was late at all, I wanted to be ready to go. This year, I almost always change at the gym. But the reason is because I wear the compression shorts and undershirts, and they tend to make me sweat pretty quickly. I want to delay that wonderful treat for the players for as long as possible.

[Rich]

Originally posted by Hotlink501

I agree with redhouse and overandback, how is it unprofessional to go to the game already dressed. I work mainly 3, 4, & 5A games on varsity level and go to the games already dressed, and I dont consider myself unprofessional at all. I dont have to drive more than 1 hour any way, and I will take me a good shower when I get home in a shower that I know is clean and does not contain any fungus (ie. athletes foot), and throw my uniform in the dirty clothes hamper to be washed or put them in the wash if they are "soiled", or wet.

It's clearly a regional thing, but we're expected to be onsite an hour before the start of the varsity game. We sit in the stands until the start of the fourth quarter and then get dressed.

You don't sit in the stands in uniform, do you?

[JRutledge]

Smitty,

I was not really trying to convince you of anything. If in your second year you feel there is nothing wrong with that, then there is nothing wrong with it. I am sure there is someone that feels the way I do in your area and those are the people you will have to contend with, not me. Just keep in mind you will be judged by many things that are off the court as well as those things that you do on it.

Good discussion.

[Rich]

Originally posted by JRutledge

I will not speak for Robo at all on this one. But the actions of the official coming dressed cannot possibly add to the experience in a positive way. Maybe it is convenient for you personally and many officials, but we are judged on how we are perceived. Not much different than an official wearing glasses. The minute you miss a call, the coaches or fans start in on you about your glasses. I agree that wearing shoes in the snow is stupid, but there has been snow or rain on the ground here since my first week of the season.

Peace

Yes, but you can't get snow on your shoes when they're in your bag.

[Rich]

Originally posted by Nu1
I hope I didn't miss this same point or question in this thread, but...

What if you have to go to another game after your game? Do you dress at the gym...do one game...get changed...go to your next game...get dressed in your uniform again??? Many officials where I am do a freshman game or two and then go to a JV game.

Just wondering how those who change at the school work that situation. I try to change at the school but I don't always. Being my first year, I'm still working on how to handle this. I'll definitely do what my assignor says.

I bring two uniforms and a wet bag to put the first uniform in.

I rarely work more than one site, but I will occasionally (during tournament season) double dip with a game in the afternoon and one in the evening. Each new site should get a new uniform, if possible, IMO.

[tmp44]

In my chapter, I am required to wear dress slacks, tie or sweater, and suit coat to all varsity games, and be there at least one hour before hand. Although I am in the minority in my chapter, I also try to make it a point to at least have slacks and a sweater or shirt when I go to any thing lower. However, in some situations, I see no problem with you coming to the game dressed. Case in point, I had a girls varsity last night, 7:30 start. My partner, who was coming from 45 minutes away, had a junior high game go double overtime and did not get out of the gym until 6:00. He came dressed, but did have a 2nd shirt to change into. However, I will give him a lot of credit because he brought into the varsity game with him slacks, shirt, tie, and sport coat to leave. IMO, it just looks extremely professional to come to any level game and change there.

[Smitty]

Originally posted by JRutledge
Smitty,

I was not really trying to convince you of anything. If in your second year you feel there is nothing wrong with that, then there is nothing wrong with it. I am sure there is someone that feels the way I do in your area and those are the people you will have to contend with, not me. Just keep in mind you will be judged by many things that are off the court as well as those things that you do on it.

Good discussion.

JR, for what it's worth, this is my 12th year officiating, it's my 2nd here in Portland. I moved from the Bay Area, California, where I last worked. I honestly have learned a lot about how to carry myself and how to take crticism from veteran officials over the years. I used to be one of those guys who thought I was better than I was and couldn't look beyond what I perceived as arrogance to see that some of those guys were actually right about what they were trying to tell me (like that I called to much ticky-tack stuff). I ended up taking 5 years off before I started up again last year, and I really am a different official now. I understand advantage/disadvantage - when I read about some of these first and second year officials gripe about not getting better games, I just shake my head. Learning advantage/disadvantage takes a lot of experience. This message board has been a wealth of information - like a case book on steroids - and it only helps to reinforce the rules that I know. Honestly, I am inclined to always now dress at the site from now on based on this thread. But that's my own decision for my own reasons. I will still not judge anyone else's decision to come to the gym dressed.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Smitty
I will still not judge anyone else's decision to come to the gym dressed.

No one is judging anyone. We are saying that the action looks unprofessional as it relates to officiating (which can apply to other actions we do). That is not judging that is point out what is expected. Those that comes dressed have the right to do it and the people that will suffer the consequences are those officials that do it. I always wonder when someone comes here and says they cannot move up and blame it on politics. I wonder if things like this are what might be holding them back. Like Rich said, I have to show up for varsity game an hour before game time. I am not going to sit in the stands with my uniform. I want most of the people to not know I am an official until we get onto the court. I do not want people asking me questions about the prelim officials or standing out like a sore thumb. Of course some will see me walk in with a bag, but the majority of the crowd did not see me enter the game. Or they were not paying attention. It is hard to not see what cloths I have on when I sit and watch.

Peace

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by Smitty

JR, for what it's worth, this is my 12th year officiating, it's my 2nd here in Portland. I moved from the Bay Area, California, where I last worked. I honestly have learned a lot about how to carry myself and how to take crticism from veteran officials over the years. I used to be one of those guys who thought I was better than I was and couldn't look beyond what I perceived as arrogance to see that some of those guys were actually right about what they were trying to tell me (like that I called to much ticky-tack stuff). I ended up taking 5 years off before I started up again last year, and I really am a different official now. I understand advantage/disadvantage - when I read about some of these first and second year officials gripe about not getting better games, I just shake my head. Learning advantage/disadvantage takes a lot of experience. This message board has been a wealth of information - like a case book on steroids - and it only helps to reinforce the rules that I know. Honestly, I am inclined to always now dress at the site from now on based on this thread. But that's my own decision for my own reasons. I will still not judge anyone else's decision to come to the gym dressed.

Around here, Smitty, we swing both ways, so to speak. Frankly, it's frustrating, because so many schools have no provisions for refs to change. Seriously, I can't tell you how awful some of the places are. When I know for sure that the situation is bad, I just dress at home, or bring a sweater to wear over my stripes, and then "change" behind the bleachers or something. The new Centennial is just plain unbelievable for women refs. Completely and totally unacceptable. I WON'T go there again at all, if I can help it. I don't think there's too many who will criticize you for changing at home or work, if you show up on time for pre-game, with a snappy looking uniform and a great attitude. And, Smitty, you never do less than that! (it's okay for me to say that, tomegun, I've worked with him before!)

[Tim Roden]

Rec League where there usually is only a bathroom to change, I wear my paints and black T-shirt. I put on the "Target"(striped shirt) and shoes at the site. All other games I dress at the site. Saying that, I am glad I have some unprofessional brothers who dress before coming to the game, that way when they arrive in the second quarter, they can just jump in and start helping. In other words, be on time and dress at the site.

[Smitty]

Originally posted by rainmaker

Around here, Smitty, we swing both ways, so to speak. Frankly, it's frustrating, because so many schools have no provisions for refs to change. Seriously, I can't tell you how awful some of the places are. When I know for sure that the situation is bad, I just dress at home, or bring a sweater to wear over my stripes, and then "change" behind the bleachers or something. The new Centennial is just plain unbelievable for women refs. Completely and totally unacceptable. I WON'T go there again at all, if I can help it. I don't think there's too many who will criticize you for changing at home or work, if you show up on time for pre-game, with a snappy looking uniform and a great attitude. And, Smitty, you never do less than that! (it's okay for me to say that, tomegun, I've worked with him before!)

I know that a lot of the places I've been given to change are pretty disgusting. I can't even imagine how bad it must be for women at some of these places. There are some bigger schools where I feel lucky to even find someone who has a key to a room for me. I've never been to Centennial, but I will say that the other new school - Liberty - has some of the best changing rooms I've ever seen. I love going to that school. My favorite place to go is Forest Grove - they take great care of us - always ask what we'd like to drink at halftime (and are waiting with it as soon as we walk off the floor) and give us our own key to the changing room. Thanks for the kind words, Juulie. I don't think I get to work with you this year, so far at least. I'll see you in the summer for sure, though.

[azbigdawg]

I have to comment on this thread. Despite some of the arrogance being tossed around, it is true coming to a ballgame dressed IS an indication of your attitude MOST times. I have officiated softball for several years, and whe I am forced to do slowpitch leagues, I have to wear a uniform to the field because there are no facilites at the field. When I do this I feel like a second rate bum off the street. When I'm doing tournaments where there is an umpre room or facilites, I ALWAYS use them. SO far, I have had to come to the field dressed for football games,and have had to go to one basketball game dressed. It is DEFINITELY more professional to get to the locker room, dress, pregame and get to know your partner if you dont already. I understand that sometimes time and facilities are an issues, but if you can get dressed at the site, try it. Some organizations mandate dress for varsity officials, and that is a good thing