New poster

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Yes, all my pants are belt less. I have not worn belted pants since my first season. And half way through that season I bought a couple of pair of belt less pants.

Peace

I understand your officiating pants are beltless. I'm asking about your everyday pants. Or do you wear your officiating pants to work, etc?

I only ask because I don't understand (probably because I've never owned a pair of officiating pants) why the standard belt loop pants are frowned upon. In modern society, belt-less pants are reserved for women and senior citizens.

[mick]

Originally Posted by fiasco

In modern society, belt-less pants are reserved for women and senior citizens.

Do you have a source for this information?

[Mark Padgett]

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

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

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

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

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

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

[grunewar]

and have a thick skin,
and be able to take constructive criticism,
and learn who NOT to listen to.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by fiasco

I only ask because I don't understand (probably because I've never owned a pair of officiating pants) why the standard belt loop pants are frowned upon. In modern society, belt-less pants are reserved for women and senior citizens.

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.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

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

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

[Junker]

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.

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by Junker

One nugget not mentioned is that as the new guy, always offer to buy the first round after the game.

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.

[Ignats75]

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.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by fiasco

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.

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

[Junker]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

You'll learn more after the game over a beer/diet coke() 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!

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

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

Sigh. I guess this is the part where I decide how serious about this I want to be. Not with regards to learning the rules of the game and becoming a good official, but with regards to advancing as far up as I can.

I know most guys are different, but I'd just much rather be at home with my wife than hanging out in a bar with some relative strangers. Perhaps that will change as I get more into it, though. I see your point.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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.

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.

it seems like it is much more acceptable for African-Americans to wear mustaches rather than other races of people.

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

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

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.

I did not say there was an abolishment of anything. Actually you can wear anything you like and technically fit the uniform. There are just things that are much more standard and if you wear those standards, hardly anyone will ever complain about that item. Belt less pants fit are an acceptable standard.

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

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

Once again, that depends on who you are. I have had a mustache my entire career and I have never had anyone say anything about it. It has never appeared to hurt me work anything. I will just reference Danny Crawford (NB), Donny Gray (D1 and sometimes cuts his off), Gerald Boudreaux (SEC Supervisor of Official and Final Four Official during his career). Most African-American D1 Officials seem to wear a mustache and this includes the ones that work the Final Four and other NCAA Tournament games. My point is this is not a deal breaker issue.

Peace