In officiating culture, there is a very real sense of style. It changes over time. For example, we used to wear shirts with a collar on them, like NFL refs. Now we wear V-neck shirts. We used to use lanyards that looped around the neck. Then we went to the Smitty lanyard almost exclusively. And now, the "noose" is coming back into style in some circles. And the style now, for most successful officials, is to wear beltless pants.

If you don't want to, you don't have to. But if you're going to strive to be a top official, you might as well start by looking the part.

Also part of the "look" is not to have facial hair or long hair. No jewelry or watch on the court either.

Welcome to the forum.

Frankly that is a weird question to me.

I do not wear knickers anytime in my regular life but that is what you wear during a football game if you are officiating.

This is not modern society we are talking about. Officiating in a particular sport is what we are actually discussing. You wear what is part of the uniform or looks like other officials at other levels. You do not see NBA Officials wearing a belt. You do not see NCAA officials wearing a belt. Frankly I cannot ever think of a single time when I have seen an football official or baseball umpire wear an adjustable hat, but you see people all the time wear baseball hats that are adjustable (I know I have a few in my closet).

You want to look like an official. You are not going out to work or what you wear when you are hanging out. I do not shine my shoes the same way in my regular life, but that is what is expected. So you do what is expected and what makes you look professional or you allow others to judge you negatively.

Peace

I can't believe no one mentioned the first rule of officiating:

Tuck your whistle in your jersey before you take a leak. :rolleyes:

I'm a senior citizen at age 37?? :eek: WOO HOO!! Discount for me at the local Shoney's buffet!! :D

Perfect. This is the clarification I was looking for. I try to pay attention to officials when I watched games, but I have to confess I've never paid attention to belts or lack thereof. Thus my confusion.

Thanks for clarifying and thanks for the warm welcome (most of you ;))

And occasionally, he'll post a really funny picture of a rabbit with a pancake on his head! :D :D

I don't think he likes you Scrappy.

We cannot compare the type of lanyard each official uses to what type of pants we wear. There has never been an abolition of wearing a neck lanyard to my knowledge ever. The reason people would wear the neck lanyard was because shirts had that little loop on them. Those are cool, but the loops have broken and ripped or the smitty lanyard for many became useless.

This is also not completely true. I have a mustache and have had one my entire career. I will say this, it seems like it is much more acceptable for African-Americans to wear mustaches rather than other races of people. There are several D1 and NBA Officials that happen to be African-American and wear a mustache. It is not acceptable in most circles to wear a full beard. Having said that, at the HS level and below, I see more facial hair than I ever do when working college or watching other high levels of basketball. Also it is acceptable to wear a wedding ring. But wearing a necklace that can be seen or a watch is not usually acceptable, but I do see officials wearing them from time to time. Funny thing is you usually do not see this from officials that are used to working deep in the post season or work any college ball.

Peace

A lot of this is personal preference. I don't wear any jewlery, no facial hair, and no tatoos showing (that one was coming soon). As a new official, look around at the good officials in the area. If they aren't doing some of these things, you might want to consider that a good model for you. Other than that, all advice so far has been sound. One nugget not mentioned is that as the new guy, always offer to buy the first round after the game.

And the crucial final equipment check before you leave the locker room.....Fly - Whistle - Patch :eek:

Crap. I don't think this bodes well for me as I'm kind of anti-social and just like getting in, doing my job, and going home to my wife. I'm not a big fraternizer.

Nor has there ever been an abolition on belted pants. The situation is exactly the same. It's a question of style. If 95% of D1 officials suddenly went back to belted pants next season, so would most of the rest of us. This is exactly what happened with pleats and the new wide-stripe shirt. The lanyard is exactly the same kind of situation. Pure style.

Agreed. But even more acceptable is not to have any facial hair at all.

FWIW I do have a goatee. I actually offerred to shave it (over my wife's objections) to two very respected assignors, when I first started out. They both told me there was no need.

As for fraternizing, thats a tough one and may vary from area to area. Around here, if you want to advance to the varsity level, you will need to be known. You will need Varsity guys to talk you up to the conference assignors. Unfortunately, there is some politics to it. While its not quite as required as having to bribe everyone with foamy adult beverages; you are entering a pretty special fraternity and need to let everyone see whether you pass the foxhole test...you know, will they let into their foxhole when the bullets start to fly. Going to the association banquet. Attending all the meetings. Going out those couple of times a year when everyone agrees to meet at Quaker Steak & Lube. I would encourage you to do that. If you never go out, it will be that much harder for you to earn the trust of the veterans.

You'll learn more after the game over a beer/diet coke(:rolleyes:) with the guys than you will at most meetings, especially if your partners are experienced, solid officials.

Well said. Before I worked varsity, I'd work my lower level game and go watch veterans I knew. After the game, on Friday nights we would go have a beverage or two and I'd sit in the corner, listen and ask questions. Its a great way to learn!