How come we are so uptight about matching jackets? In my association, they are switching from blue to black. By next year, only black allowed. New guys as well as some of the rest of us have purchased the black ones while some are getting one more year out of their blues. But before the game some refs will say: "You have a black jacket and I lhave blue so we better go out there without jackets altogether." This a big deal for you? So people notice and/or care if the officials are wearing different jackets?

It's the image you present. If it's a higher level game, game admin, coaches, players and fans notice these things. If you both look sharp (not only jackets; non-wrinkled uniform, polished shoes, shaven, etc...) you will present a professional image that everyone will respect.

Yes, it is a big deal. Kansas went to black about 5 years ago. We went through the same thing. Before you buy, you might want to see if everyone uses CCA or NF jackets. I still carry both NF and CCA. Its split about half and half for HS officials.

CCA Jackets
 

CCA Jackets should not be worn at all during HS contest. They are not for that level. And I think it is condensending to the players, coaches and fans to wear them. I have both too, but you do not where them unless you are doing a college game.

Peace

I agree in part with JRutledge. If i am doing a HS game and one partner has NF jacket and one partner has a CCA jacket, then i am using my NF(like) jacket. I say NF jacket for description only. Other jackets are simular but are not NF jackets with the NF logo. I don't have a problem if all three officials wear CCA. Is there any official rule or directive from the NF concerning the type of jacket we wear?

Not for HS, but no clear rule.
 

There might not be a rule, but I think the fact that CCA Jackets are just that, you should not where them in HS games. And I know some assignors that go crazy if officials are wearing those CCA Jackets. I think you have to do what your people tell you to do.

But I will say this, I have seen several catalogs that say under the CCA Jacket picture, "THIS JACKET IS NOT FOR HIGH SCHOOL GAMES."

Peace

Sahara jackets suck!
 

Just as a note - the CCA jackets are sh!t. Sorry, but I don't know of a better word to use. We use the same black Sahara jacket in NC that the CCA uses. The jacket is cheaply made, poorly tailored and collects everything that's airborne. The linings rip easily and there's no elastic in the waist. I bet this jacket costs about $10 wholesale and about $3 to make. Then we have to pay $45 for it. :(

No argument from me BktBallRef. Sahara-? Is this just the style name?

I am at a loss for the need of jackets to begin with. You esentially where them for the 15 minutes prior to the game and that's it. Is it tradition that we where them? Or is a different rationale behind it.

Now SOWB_Ref, everyone has the answer to that question. I bet you could even ask a 10yr old kid. He would tell you its cold. :)

But, but, but.... I live in sunny, warm Washington. It never gets cold here (looking out the window and seeing snow on the ground) :D

Yep, Sahara is the manufacturer.

I can tell you that when you move from state to state you will need to purchase a new jacket. I had to buy one with the TASO logo on it to ref in Texas. My solid black jacket was deemed inappropriate because it did not match what everyone else had.

As far as why we wear one, I don't know. I reffed three years before purchasing one. I didn't work a varsity contest in those years either. What I don't get is when you do two contest, we go back to the locker room and put that dumb jacket on again. At this point I am hot and sweaty and I would rather just leave my jacket back in the locker room but people around here insist on putting it back on before the big Boys Varsity game.

Black jacket, and as far as matching, my partner does not have impecable (?) taste, so he does not wear one. Mine has the wiaa logo the left side.

My association, wears the black jacket with the association's logo on the left chest. Logo shows a cardnial head slightly over the basketball and CARDINAL in a curve over the ball/head. The logo looks pretty neat. Our jackets are made by a company in NJ (can't remember the name) and I think they are $42.00. The more recently purchased jackets (last couple of years) have snap fronts and mine (about 5 years old) has a zipper.

I agree with the post earlier about putting it back on when you are hot and sweaty. I sometimes do a F/JV doubleheader and I don't like to put it back on.

We have to wear the official black OH jackets with the dark green ohsaa logo(from a 100 feet you never see the logo) on them.

Why do we where them? Let's see, oh yeah, the $100 fine from the state for not wearing the proper uni is a pretty good reason here.

I just moved to Illinois and found they (IHSA) don't have standard jackets. I've seen refs walk on the HS floor, one with a pull over nike wind breaker, the other with CCA. I agree it looks pretty tacky. We aren't there to draw attention to ourselves and wearing CCA to a HS game is just a form of bragging. If a coach sees it and says "you suck at this level too", will you tee him?

Now I have my choice! What's the best? I thought Sahara was OK until a couple of you guys thrashed my bubble. Anyone got a URL to a good on-line site? I'll have to get one and have the IHSA logo embroidered...

IF you want the IHSA logo, you have to go through Honig's (unless you can come up with someone to put it on for you).

I don't think you can get this from the Honig's web site. Call them at 1-800-468-3284

Its not a bragging issue. A lot of officials in this area work college and HS. 5 years ago when they changed from blue to black, a lot of officials just used the CCA jackets. Now, about three years ago, the assn. here did opt. for HS jackets and thats when I bought my HS jacket.

I hear you Bart... I meant bragging for everyone except you ;) Did you wear the HS blue jacket onto the local college floor? BTW, Konig's is where the "not for HS" note comes from. I looked. They also only have the Sahara. Maybe I ought to just head for the Nike outlet!

Us Canadians have the best system. One jacket. It has our CABO(Canadian Association of Basketball Officials) logo on it. We wear this is the suggested jacket for all highschool games in Ontario. now they are starting to come out with an Ontario Association jacket, but it's ugly. Everyone across the country is required to wear the CABO jacket. What a system..one jacket:)

Tyler

Wear whatever is called for in your Association. Initial impression is everything believe me!!!!
Pistol

You Canadians have it right. One country one jacket. One country one system of voting in national elections. No hanging chads and all that nonsense.