Add it!!!
 

If you are a HS varsity official or a college official in my area, you would be about the only official that wears pants with a belt. You can call them my rules, but you might not work if you wear a shirt with a collar and pants with a belt.

Just the facts Jack, just the facts.

Peace

I have seen both in my area, to me the only people who notice belt or no belt, collar or no collar are other officials. What I have noticed though....if you have a belly or look physically fit....... is what the spectators notice.
Just my opinion and maybe just my area!

AK ref SE

Definitely not just your area, AK. I attended Hoop Mountain camp one year and Mickey Crowley was there. He's the assignor for the A-10 conference. He's funny as anything and he was giving us a little talk. He patted himself on the tummy and said, "Gentlemen, you are looking at the last of the fat officials". Cracked us up. But he was dead serious. At my USBL tryout/clinic, the assignor told one league ref flat-out that he'd put on too much weight to come back and work the league again. Lay off the junk!! (wish I could :( )

Chuck

We are dealing with perceptions...If you look overweight, people think that you are slow or sloppy, doesn't matter how good you are.
Just a quick story on perceptions. I was in class with this guy. He did not look athletic in the least. He wanted to go for a little run. I thought I was in shape because I was reffing several games a night, several days a week. We start jogging (to me a little run is a mile or two). I was dying at mile three! Find out this guy is a super marathon runner, a little run to him is 10-20 miles.

I guess my point is! Just like opinions! It is hard to change an opinion or a perception, because they belong to everyone else!

AK ref SE

I have been told that in my area, overweight officials will have more trouble getting the HS varsity assignments, but can get there by being a good official. A varsity coach may go to the JV game and think negatively of an overweight official, but can be turned around by their ability. Basically, you have to work to overcome the pre-conceived notion that a fat guy can't officiate. If you're good, they will want you on your game.

As far as belt/no-belt, chapter doesn't have a policy. However, all varsity refs wear beltless, pleated slacks (funny how that works out).

Even officials want the lastest style!

Not me. I hate the pleated look. Blech.

Pleated pants are much better, though, for those of us with "baby bellies".

I still think I get the trophy for working with a partner who showed up to do his games in a striped shirt with "Foot Locker" still stitched onto the pocket!! Merciful Heavens!

Holy cow!! Why would you invite that kind of abuse on yourself?!?!?!?!

HA! That is pretty sad... What level of competition was it? And were his pants pleated...:)?

As Mikey said, "Try it, you'll like it." I have gone to the beltless pleated pants and I ain't never going back to the other side. I'm 6'5" about 220lbs and IMHO, I think they look neat and professional.

Personally, if their fly is zipped and their seat ain't ripped, we're off to a good start!

;-)

Agreed. I didn't like that way they looked either. But once I wore a pair, there was no turning back. There's more room in the thighs and knees. Just what I need for my blazing speed!! :)

In NC, beltless slacks and v-neck shirts are required. The only options are pleated or western cut slacks and mesh, polyester, or cotton/poly shirts.

Reminds of the time a few yrs ago when my fly broke on
my sansabelts during a girls hs game. It was pretty obvious
even with my black "underthingies". One of the few times
I did not have a spare pair of pants in my bag, when
I got home that night I threw a handful of safety pins
into the bag.

I'm sure those pants rustle & crack like a flag in a
windstorm as you run by! :)