Shoes

[Rich]

Originally Posted by MJT

All I know is Ed Hightower cannot make a call without it being very dramatic and calling it over and over. He is the official I notice the most who seems to want to make sure everyone knows he is "in the house." Hillary and Valentine will make the same call and not make themselves so noticable. Most officials will sometimes, but Ed does it MOST of the time. I wish he remember, it is not about us, it is about the game.

I love comments like this. I wish I had a bingo card whenever I see them so I could play along:

-- It's not about us
-- It's about the game
-- Think of the children
-- etc.

Hightower is an officiating legend. I find it amusing that people criticize him and speak down like they're watching some random JV HS game somewhere.

And saying Valentine doesn't get noticed means you haven't watched a lot of Teddy V over the years. This was as good a crew as you're going to get on a Big 10 game.

The nonsense about a stripe on the shoe should be on the bingo card, too. These guys are wearing whatever shoe is most comfortable and helps them hurt less after games. Period. Just cause some supervisor thinks it's important doesn't mean others do -- or even notice.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

I love comments like this. I wish I had a bingo card whenever I see them so I could play along:

-- It's not about us
-- It's about the game
-- Think of the children
-- etc.

Hightower is an officiating legend. I find it amusing that people criticize him and speak down like they're watching some random JV HS game somewhere.

And saying Valentine doesn't get noticed means you haven't watched a lot of Teddy V over the years. This was as good a crew as you're going to get on a Big 10 game.

The nonsense about a stripe on the shoe should be on the bingo card, too. These guys are wearing whatever shoe is most comfortable and helps them hurt less after games. Period. Just cause some supervisor thinks it's important doesn't mean others do -- or even notice.

Rich, you are way off base with my comments. Ed is a very good official, but over the years, it seems as if he is getting more dramatic. Yes, Ted gets dramatic, but not as OFTEN as Ed. I just think he is overdramatic too often. On big calls, yes, sell it with authority, but they are not all that big.

I agree with you on the shoes, no biggy to have one stripe or swoosh.

I have seen plenty of Big 10 BB over the years and the only better crew, IMO, is to have Steve Welmer instead of Hightower.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by MJT

Rich, you are way off base with my comments. Ed is a very good official, but over the years, it seems as if he is getting more dramatic. Yes, Ted gets dramatic, but not as OFTEN as Ed. I just think he is overdramatic too often. On big calls, yes, sell it with authority, but they are not all that big.

I agree with you on the shoes, no biggy to have one stripe or swoosh.

I have seen plenty of Big 10 BB over the years and the only better crew, IMO, is to have Steve Welmer instead of Hightower.

You must be talking about his 4-hip-bang block call. I'm happy to see guys throw in a bit of individuality and fire.

The Steve Welmer drinking game requires one to drink every time Steve tugs on his pants.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

You must be talking about his 4-hip-bang block call.

I think he went with 5 today, on the block call against WI when Haluska was shooting in the paint. It was a bid odd, as the arena was pretty quiet at the time, no one hit the floor, and it wasn't a drive to the basket.

And I'm going to see what my partners say at my next pregame, when, in discussing the procedure for going for help on OB calls, it goes something like this:
Partner: "If I'm lead and need help on the baseline, I'll blow the whistle, raise my hand, and come find you - step out and make eye contact,"
Me, interrupting: "And I'll come running through the players from my outside position, all the way to the baseline, pointing the direction repeatedly and blowing my whistle repeatedly as I'm running down there. Sound good?"

He's funny to watch. My wife was in the next room when that hip-banger call happened, and upon hearing him yell his "block" repeatedly, she yelled in, "Is that Hightower?" (She hadn't previously been paying attention to the game at all.) Funny stuff.

Helluvan official, to be sure. Just funny to watch sometimes. I'm still amazed at how his facial expression never ever changes, no matter what he's calling/doing. Seriously amazing. I have no idea how he does that.

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

The Steve Welmer drinking game requires one to drink every time Steve tugs on his pants.

That'd make for a quick night.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

You must be talking about his 4-hip-bang block call. I'm happy to see guys throw in a bit of individuality and fire.

The Steve Welmer drinking game requires one to drink every time Steve tugs on his pants.

And the "block! block! block! block! that followed each time he banged his hips.

Great observation of Welmer.

Great post HawkeyeCubP!!

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by MJT

I have seen plenty of Big 10 BB over the years and the only better crew, IMO, is to have Steve Welmer instead of Hightower.

I almost fell out of the chair! MJT, you know very little about officiating! Very little!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I almost fell out of the chair! MJT, you know very little about officiating! Very little!

I don't know if this is a dig at Welmer, but I like Welmer, Hightower, Higgins, Valentine, Hillary, Burr, etc. over most of the guys I can't recognize.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I almost fell out of the chair! MJT, you know very little about officiating! Very little!

I guess my opinion sucks! You must be the expert. Welmer must be doing something right besides pulling up his pants often.

When my favorite team is playing, and I want the best Big 10 officials, IMO, I want Welmer working that game. But then again, what do I know. Apparently nothing!

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by MJT

All I know is Ed Hightower cannot make a call without it being very dramatic and calling it over and over. He is the official I notice the most who seems to want to make sure everyone knows he is "in the house." Hillary and Valentine will make the same call and not make themselves so noticable. Most officials will sometimes, but Ed does it MOST of the time. I wish he remember, it is not about us, it is about the game.

My question to you would be, do you like David Hall?

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by sj

In the Iowa-Wisconsin game there's an official wearing a shoe with a white Nike swoosh on the side. Has their policy changed to allow a shoe that isn't all black? Or could something happened to his other shoes? Just curious.

I've wondered the same thing as I have season tix to my alma mater (Big 12 school) and have seen the same official several time this year with the white swoosh...

Seemed quite odd and unprofessional to me, but that's JMO...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by sj

In the Iowa-Wisconsin game there's an official wearing a shoe with a white Nike swoosh on the side. Has their policy changed to allow a shoe that isn't all black? Or could something happened to his other shoes? Just curious.

I did not read any comment that specifically addressed your question. But the bottom line at the NCAA level, there are no rules that prohibit any white on the shoes. Shoes must be black, but they do not have to be entirely black. It is really up to each assignor to decide what is acceptable. Even in the NF there is no rule that I know of that says you cannot have any white on the shoes. Also what an official wears is up to each area and local association to determine. I know officials in our state do wear shoes with some white on them. It is really a personal decision to what is acceptable.

Peace

[cmathews]

The officials manual says all black with black laces.....damnit now those hot pink laces have to come out....wish I hadn't read that....LOL

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by cmathews

The officials manual says all black with black laces.....damnit now those hot pink laces have to come out....wish I hadn't read that....LOL

Not sure what manual you are reading. To be specific the CCA Men's Manual says black socks, black shoes and black shoe strings. It does not use the word "entirely black." There is also a passage about shoes can be approved by a conference. So it is clear that a conference can allow some different styles within the guidelines.

If you are referring to the NF Official's Manual (which I do not have in front of me right now) it must be noted that each state can choose what is approved for their officials. There are states that allow the "gray shirts" to be worn. My state has outlawed the "side panel shirts" even though there is no reference from the NF that outlaws the side panel shirts. So where you live and who you work for will dictate what you can and cannot wear or do.

Peace

[cmathews]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Not sure what manual you are reading. To be specific the CCA Men's Manual says black socks, black shoes and black shoe strings. It does not use the word "entirely black." There is also a passage about shoes can be approved by a conference. So it is clear that a conference can allow some different styles within the guidelines.

If you are referring to the NF Official's Manual (which I do not have in front of me right now) it must be noted that each state can choose what is approved for their officials. There are states that allow the "gray shirts" to be worn. My state has outlawed the "side panel shirts" even though there is no reference from the NF that outlaws the side panel shirts. So where you live and who you work for will dictate what you can and cannot wear or do.

Peace

it is the NFHS manual...and yeah I agree states have some latitude in some areas...

[imaref]

Why don't you just "dye" or "blacken" the white or silver logos black to match the shoe? Unless you are getting, or giving a shoe endorsement....why not all black?