Dressing to go to a game

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I have a pretty standard dress for before hand -- khakis, dress shoes, button down shirt or nice sweater. Other officials here in Wisconsin will wear jeans and sweatshirts and pretty much anything. No "official" code here, but my football crew wears no jeans, etc. either. We feel we're being "evaluated" the second we arrive, so dressing nice helps.

Concur with above. First impressions mean a lot.

Our association's minimum dress code is business casual - No Jeans, no sneakers, no sandals, no sweat suits.

In my experience (sub-varsity) - those who do show up for a game in uniform or "dressed down" are the same one's who don't really look at this as a profession - i.e, how they look in their uniform, when they show up for a game (10/15 min early), don't care about pre-games, relaxed signals, don't hustle as much, etc.

How is this enforced? Depends on your Association.

Just my $.02.

[JRutledge]

I wear a nice pair of pants, a nice polo shirt (turtlenecks) at the very least, and dress shoes. Usually the shirts I wear have some type of logo with an association name on it or the shirt has the IHSA on them. This is what I wear for all varsity games where I know I can take a shower afterwards. There are some places that I cannot take a shower or the dressing room is a mess, so I might wear much more casual attire.

Lower level games I wear whatever is comfortable, because in many cases you cannot take a shower or they put in a place you might not have a lot of room.

Peace

[stosh]

I wear whatever I wore to work in the morning; sometimes a suit and tie but most times a little more casual. If I know I am going to a gym with no changing room or tight quarters, I might change into my pants ahead of time. I've done that rarely over the years.

Our association expects varsity officials to wear "business attire" like a button down shirt and sport coat. Most of our officals adhere to that policy. We also change back to our street clothers before leaving the gym, even if there is no shower available. I wonder if anyone has a policy on dress after the game?

[26 Year Gap]

I have a leather bag for my uniform, etc. With all of the inclement weather, I have seen people trying to wheel in their suitcases, but often they are dragging them through the slush. The bag works for me.

I usually dress 'business casual' to games. Some guys wear jeans to Saturday games, but I try to be consistent.

[AKOFL]

Originally Posted by grunewar

Concur with above. First impressions mean a lot.

Our association's minimum dress code is business casual - No Jeans, no sneakers, no sandals, no sweat suits.

In my experience (sub-varsity) - those who do show up for a game in uniform or "dressed down" are the same one's who don't really look at this as a profession - i.e, how they look in their uniform, when they show up for a game (10/15 min early), don't care about pre-games, relaxed signals, don't hustle as much, etc.

How is this enforced? Depends on your Association.

Just my $.02.

So are u saying that anyone who shows up dressed down and ready to go is a slacker official. that they have no appreciation for the game

[Adam]

Originally Posted by AKOFL

So are u saying that anyone who shows up dressed down and ready to go is a slacker official. that they have no appreciation for the game

I won't speak for grunewar, but this varies.

First of all, he didn't say anyone. He said his experience has shown a correlation between the two groups.

Second, it's a regional thing. Those officials who work at gyms without adequate changing rooms are stuck; this could vary as much by area as it does by level. Around here, I would never consider going to a hs game in uniform. On top of that, the assigner sent an email out to everyone recently reminding them as much.

Other areas may not view this as nearly as big a deal; and it may be the norm to show up to even a varsity game with the uniform on.

[AKOFL]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I won't speak for grunewar, but this varies.

First of all, he didn't say anyone. He said his experience has shown a correlation between the two groups.

Second, it's a regional thing. Those officials who work at gyms without adequate changing rooms are stuck; this could vary as much by area as it does by level. Around here, I would never consider going to a hs game in uniform. On top of that, the assigner sent an email out to everyone recently reminding them as much.

Other areas may not view this as nearly as big a deal; and it may be the norm to show up to even a varsity game with the uniform on.

His word were thoes who do show up dressed down ARE the same ones who bla bla. Sounds like a blanket statement to me. I would try to avoid thoes since u are speaking to such a varied group in varied locations. Just me. Thats all I was getting at. I think u should dress the part also, nice pants and shirt, good shoes. What looks more profesional than your uniform however. Hard to look better than u do an the court unless u don't like the threads. I'm just ranting. Not much sleep since child #3 came out on Monday

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by AKOFL

His word were thoes who do show up dressed down ARE the same ones who bla bla. Sounds like a blanket statement to me. I would try to avoid thoes since u are speaking to such a varied group in varied locations. Just me. Thats all I was getting at. I think u should dress the part also, nice pants and shirt, good shoes. What looks more profesional than your uniform however. Hard to look better than u do an the court unless u don't like the threads. I'm just ranting. Not much sleep since child #3 came out on Monday

And I stick by my statement - based on my experience I believe there is a correlation .

Congrats on your new arrival!! Good luck!

[refnrev]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Other areas may not view this as nearly as big a deal; and it may be the norm to show up to even a varsity game with the uniform on.

I'm having real trouble picturing an area where its the norm to show up for a V game in uniform.

[refnrev]

After thinking about it, I have worn a very nice black reebok windsuit with a white mock turtleneck on occasion early in the season.
It also sometimes depends upon the facilities in a specific school or sometimes the weather conditions. I remember one night that it was so cold I wore long underwear, jeans, a very heavy turtleneck and insulated boots to walk through the snow and ice and howling wind that night. I slid alot driving home in a blowing snow. I remember it well because it was the night my son won his wrestling match in quadruple overtime.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by refnrev

I'm having real trouble picturing an area where its the norm to show up for a V game in uniform.

Picture my area.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by refnrev

I'm having real trouble picturing an area where its the norm to show up for a V game in uniform.

Agreed, I've never heard of such an area. I'm just acknowledging it's possible.

[slow whistle]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I won't speak for grunewar, but this varies.

First of all, he didn't say anyone. He said his experience has shown a correlation between the two groups.

Second, it's a regional thing. Those officials who work at gyms without adequate changing rooms are stuck; this could vary as much by area as it does by level. Around here, I would never consider going to a hs game in uniform. On top of that, the assigner sent an email out to everyone recently reminding them as much.

Other areas may not view this as nearly as big a deal; and it may be the norm to show up to even a varsity game with the uniform on.

Personally I dress "professionally" to go to games, meaning what I would wear to work...that said I worked a BV game this season with a guy who showed up in sweatpants, sweatshirt, hat, mlb team jacket, torn up tennis shoes all "well worn"...pulls his jumbled uniform out of a bag to reveal a "state finals official" patch on his shirt..slicks his hair back and ready to go...the guy called a hell of a game and had the utmost respect from both coaches, not a call questioned outwardly all night...I guess the lesson is once you reach that level wear whatever you want!

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by AKOFL

So are u saying that anyone who shows up dressed down and ready to go is a slacker official. that they have no appreciation for the game

What I am saying is, most (a lot, a high percentage) of my partners who show up for a game in uniform, or in sweats, or in jeans and often right before the game knowing this is not the Association policy, simply don't care about their image, professionalism, moving up, progressing in the game as much as those who show up and do what they are asked to do by the Association.

Again, my experience - yours may be different.

[mj]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

We all wear similar uniforms to work the game. How do you dress before going to work a game?

I only work varsity games. I have a pretty standard dress for before hand -- khakis, dress shoes, button down shirt or nice sweater. Other officials here in Wisconsin will wear jeans and sweatshirts and pretty much anything. No "official" code here, but my football crew wears no jeans, etc. either. We feel we're being "evaluated" the second we arrive, so dressing nice helps.

Interested to see what others wear to the gym/field, etc.

Basketball always khakis, dress shoes, etc. Never jeans for basketball. For football, I have worn khaki shorts and tennis shoes in early season games. I've also worn jeans. Just less people around and you don't have to sit through a JV game with the rest of the crowd.

I do have a 'over the shoulder' duffel bag but my next piece will be a roller bag I think.