Belts Really???

[dsqrddgd909]

Originally Posted by PIAA REF

OK, I know this comes down to personal preference but do officials that where pants with a belt realize how dumb and almost unprofessional it looks? Spend the extra 10 bucks or so and get the beltless pants. It looks so much better and doesn't look like you are a ref in the movie hoosiers. (great movie though) Am I the only one who feels this way? I had a HS Varsity game last night, it was in a different association and both guys had belts on. To make it even worse the buckles were huge. I just don't get it. Any thoughts on this? IF you do wear a belt what is your reason for not getting the sansabelt type of pants?

To each their own. I know looks matter and first impressions count, but some of the sharpest looking refs I've had for partners couldn't referee a dog sled race and other guys wearing belts were some of the best partners I've had. It's one of those things that does not matter to me and does not seem to matter in the two associations I work in.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

To each their own. I know looks matter and first impressions count, but some of the sharpest looking refs I've had for partners couldn't referee a dog sled race and other guys wearing belts were some of the best partners I've had. It's one of those things that do not matter to me and does not seem to matter in the two associations I work in.

That's the whole point........you walk out on the court and start with an F and have to work your way up with a belt.

Hey, a guy can have a mullet too, his choice how he wants to be perceived.

Just better to dress the part.

[26 Year Gap]

Here in FL, nobody [almost] wears belted slacks. In VT, it was about half/half. I had both. If the crew had belted, I wore belted. If the crew wore beltless, I wore beltless. To be honest, there was more concern about glasses than belts up there. Here in FL, there are a number of guys wearing glasses and they don't only get poor contests. Same with shoes, if the crew has patent leather, I wear those. If they don't, I wear the others. If there is a split, I am in the majority.

[BillyMac]

Here in my little corner of Connecticut, we have a choice of wearing belted, or beltless, pants. Nobody is encouraged, or discouraged from either. Connecticut is a very liberal state.

[VaTerp]

Watching the 1984 NCAA Final between Georgetown and Houston and the officials are wearing collared shirts, administering the FT from the C, and the L is doing a weird back and forth across the lane thing.

But they are NOT wearing belts. This is for those who suggest that the beltless look is a cyclical and arbitrary phenomenon. At LEAST 28 years since NCAA officials wore belts. Something to think about.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by VaTerp

At LEAST 28 years since NCAA officials wore belts. Something to think about.

It's also been quite a few years since NCAA used 2 officials, but in high school it's still quite prevalent. What's one got to do with the other?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by just another ref

It's also been quite a few years since NCAA used 2 officials, but in high school it's still quite prevalent. What's one got to do with the other?

I started in 1987. I've never worn belted pants.

I did see some highlights on ESPN today of the 1976 Indiana team. 2-person crews and everyone wore a belt. I guess the question is -- when did beltless pants become commonplace?

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by just another ref

It's also been quite a few years since NCAA used 2 officials, but in high school it's still quite prevalent. What's one got to do with the other?

The point I was making was very clear if you don't leave out the sentene before the part you decided to quote. "This is for those who suggest that the beltless look is a cyclical and arbitrary phenomenon."

And 2 person crews in HS is entirely about $$$. So, yes, what does one have to do with the other?

[APG]

Originally Posted by just another ref

It's also been quite a few years since NCAA used 2 officials, but in high school it's still quite prevalent. What's one got to do with the other?

I don't think the two compare. Two vs. three officials is almost always due to the monetary reasons. We have no control over this. Belted vs. sans a belt is something the officiating community has control over. And from what I've seen and read, it's a near unanimous adaptation of sans a belt save for some parts in Louisiana (or so it seems).

[Adam]

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

I don't think the two compare. Two vs. three officials is almost always due to the monetary reasons. We have no control over this. Belted vs. sans a belt is something the officiating community has control over. And from what I've seen and read, it's a near unanimous adaptation of sans a belt save for some parts in Louisiana (or so it seems).

There are other similarly isolated areas where it's accepted (at least until about 3 seasons ago).

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

There are other similarly isolated areas where it's accepted (at least until about 3 seasons ago).

Similarly isolated?? What does that mean? Oh, you mean like Connecticut.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Here in my little corner of Connecticut, we have a choice of wearing belted, or beltless, pants. Nobody is encouraged, or discouraged from either. Connecticut is a very liberal state.

[Adam]

Nope, I was thinking of my previous locale. I've never even so much as seen Connecticut soil from across a river.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Nope, I was thinking of my previous locale. I've never even so much as seen Connecticut soil from across a river.

Up north in VT, it was about 50/50 on the belt front. That was 2 years ago. There were guys who used belted that worked state finals. People get more grief using the gray shirts than belts.

[APG]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Similarly isolated?? What does that mean? Oh, you mean like Connecticut.

Still doesn't mean it isn't isolated compared to the rest of the nation. I'd venture to say if we took a poll (YES a poll! ), the overall majority would say that sansabelt is either mandated or de facto mandated.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

Still doesn't mean it isn't isolated compared to the rest of the nation. I'd venture to say if we took a poll (YES a poll! ), the overall majority would say that sansabelt is either mandated or de facto mandated.

Yep, and my previous association, where the local board president would wear a belt, was in the same state as my current group, where we get very direct instructions that belted pants aren't acceptable at the high school level.