Very informal poll

[Mark Padgett]

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?

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

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.

[Y2Koach]

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

[Old School]

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

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Y2Koach

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

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

[Indianaref]

Originally Posted by Old School

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

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

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

But I do sometimes loan gear out to friends who want to dress as a ref.

Please tell me this doesn't include your whistles!

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

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

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

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Old School

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

[Bad Zebra]

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.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

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).

Did it involve illegal use of hands?

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

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).

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

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.

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

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

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

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."

[tmp44]

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.