Very informal poll
 

Just curious as to how many of you wear your uniform as a Halloween costume? Years ago, I was wearing mine while taking my son around trick or treating when some guy drove by and yelled, "You suck ref". If I could have caught up with him, I would have teed him.

Anyway, now that I just stay home and give out candy, I wear mine. Quite a few of the kids and parents who come by recognize me as someone who has worked their games, since I have worked our local kids rec league for about 15 years. Usually the parent will say something like, "Hey - you reffed my kid's games." I sometimes reply, "Yeah - you look familiar too. Didn't I throw you out?" Most of the time that gets a laugh, but last year one woman thought I was serious and admonished me for even thinking that she could do something that would warrant an ejection. I had to tell her three times that I was only kidding. I think she was just trying to make me feel guilty so I'd give her kid extra candy.

Any pros or cons on wearing this? Any funny stories?

It just doesn't feel like a costume to me, so I'd feel like I hadn't actually dressed up. But I do sometimes loan gear out to friends who want to dress as a ref.

you open yourself up to "pretending to be a ref once a year" type comments, dont you think? ;)

I wouldn't want them to know where I live. They take it too seriously in my neighborhhood.

Which is usually followed well with a Holiday Inn Express punchline.

You don't even want people on this board to know where you live!

Please tell me this doesn't include your whistles! :eek:

True...this is a very tough, unforgiving business.

:D

I actually wore my uni to an adult Halloween party about four years ago (including my Fox 40). After quite a few beers, I called two T's on other partiers. One for dropping a full beer on the kitchen floor and another on a couple for a gross PDA (public display of affection). The place erupted in applause both times. People still remind me of that party every Halloween.

Did it involve illegal use of hands? ;)

Actually it did, and that's what got my attention (I didn't want to get too descriptive here and risk another locked thread).

You could tell us what didn't happen, and let us draw our own conclusions. :D

But I digress, I don't wanna know anything. I'm just offering a way around rules. :)

I dunno, that Brad fella is pirty smart. That, and Padgett has himself what's called a "reputation."

I did it two years in a row..with an added twist. I got a long white stick and a pair of sunglasses and went as a blind ref. Actually got a ton of laughs at a few parties --- and a phone number from a girl :-o. Funny part of it...was at a party one year and the starting center for the Pitt basketball team was at the party. You guessed it...I whacked him at the party. He got me a beer.

Dangit! I knew I was pushing my luck. I should have quit reading this a while ago!

Only the ones from my rookie season, before I heard Padgett's advice. ;)

One year, when I taught high school, I went as a blind football ref. The students and faculty (all of whom knew I reffed) loved it.

Of course, when I threw a flag at my class, one of them reacted with an "eww - that was just in your pants!" After that, no amount of explaining that I wear about 15 layers to ref would bring them back to concentrating.

Then you ejected her from your front porch.

____________________________

Padgett doesn't have a reputation... he's just a poor, misunderstood victim of society. Sort of.:D

Padgett? A victim?

Ok. ;)

my costume recipe
 

Hockey helmet
umpire chest protector/shin guards
striped shirt, black pants, black shoes.

makes it feel a little more like a costume, as some have said they don't feel "dressed up" with the usual.
:D