i arrive at the school wearing black shorts and a black u/a shirt... locker room or not... pull on pants over shorts and shirt over u/a shirt... no issue ever.
I do bball, fball, baseball etc... in the fall I LIVE out of my trunk. one back pack for bball, one for fball, one for baseball. Black and black covers all options and or problems.

In today's world, I don't even go into the school bathroom alone. If it hasn't happened already, I foresee some kid making accusations in the bathroom that didn't happen. ( along the lines of 2 deep leadership in scouts)

In baseball we still have to be cognizant of who is around, which is why I always am prepared with undergarments so that I am not exposed. This is why often you park in a relative private place away from everyone and do not get completely naked. And I would never get dressed in a public restroom because all it takes is some kid to walk in and claim you did something inappropriate. Then again in baseball there is no locker room for anyone unless you are working the State Finals.

I was involved in a basketball game where a very tall official ran into cheerleader while rotating in the lead position and a parent tried to press charges on that official for simply doing his job. And the police wanted to talk to him immediately after the game and it took weeks to get this situation resolved so that charges were dropped and nothing ultimately took place from this. I do not know about everyone here, but if that can happen directly on the court, what do you think might happen in a bathroom where it is your word against someone else's word as to what you did and your intentions? And that issue was all based on where cheerleaders were located on the court and the GM not taking charge in a situation where he should have taken full responsibility to secure the court and the area around the court.

I do not know about anyone else, if you are accused of some kind of sexual crime here, you lose your license until the issue is completely resolved.

Peace

One issue not addressed, most discussions are refrencing HS ball... HS ball is maybe 15-20% of the ball I do.... 2cnd grade through varsity, through traveling AAU ball (better than varsity), boys /girls, adult rec, tourneys, etc..

Have yet to do a HS game without a designated place for officials. All others a crap shoot or more like "bank on no place being available". Professionalism is based on the person doing the "judging". ie old school, new school what is professional to some isn't for others. I don't play assignors politics... I get games because I am a good ref that can handle any situation. when I step on the court it is business. what I do or how I am dressed is nobody's business before or after.

I've yet to see a public school that doesn't have separate bathrooms for its faculty and staff.

Not sure it is nobody's business. Whether we like it or not this is still a business and someone is giving us games based on how we will make them look. Now you may not share the standard that is expected, but it still can and will be there whether you approve or not.

On the football board right now there is thread about a coin toss and a video linked to that thread. One of the main things that people are talking about is how the kid is dressed (hat direction) at the coin flip. It might not be there business to judge, but people will and it can affect what complaints they get. Not everything we do in life is judged on pure substance, we are judged on the packaging too.

Peace

I agree...emphasis on your coin flip scenario is ON THE FIELD/COURT. I don't think we disagree. there is acceptable and unacceptable, then there are the actual levels of standard.. ie appearance of uniform, crispness of mechanics etc... Here in KS/MO, we have a pretty high level IMO.. again I reiterate, "when I step on the court/field(since this is an officials blog, -when my responsibilities start through finish), it is all business."

I can't speak for other sports, but here, if you show up to a game dressed like that when they've provided a locker room, you'll be moving on down in schedule. You'd likely get one warning at the high school level before you found your services were no longer needed at that level.

Either arrive dressed or ask for a space to change in the school. But changing in parking lot of any school should not be part of the equation when it comes to basketball officiating.

True, but those may or may not be in the area of the school that has been opened for the game. They may be in an entirely different area that is inaccessible....lots of youth game organizers rent just the gym and the nearby hallways/access, not the entire school building and the rest may or may not be unlocked.

Unless I missed something this was not a "youth game" from the standpoint of some organization running the game. This was a middle school game which to me always means that game is being played under the jurisdiction of the school or school district and they are playing at the school or a building they control. My comments about professionalism have nothing to do with a travel league or some league that is not a school-sanctioned event. But I am sure every school has some facilities that faculty can go where the students cannot, especially in this day and age. And if that is not the case, then that should be known to those going to work games.

Peace

LMAO-Sounds like your area requires a uniform to prepare for a uniform.
"a warning" for anything Non-court related??? I'd tell the assignor "good luck with that.". You don't just get called up to 3 man varsity ball until your either ready, or requested. In my area, you are either "qualified" or not. I don't play politics with assignors. I am an independant contractor. I let my court work do my talking. Plenty of assignors, and I work for Every assignor in the area that does HS ball. We are lucky here, as Refs we have ALOT of ball, and it is a pretty small group of Varsity bball refs. 10 guys waiting for a shot for every slot. Additionally, if asked to wear business casual to HS games, I would, but our assignors wouldn't go there. Here you are wanted not needed.

Be on time, hustle, know the rules, call a good game, dress properly and act professional, throughout the competition. it really is pretty much that simple.

To me, while technically not mandated, it's a matter of first appearances and impressions. I want to appear as professional as possible the moment I step inside the building...especially if it's my first time there. It's the same reason I've been advised to have a neat appearance as it relates to hair, being clean cut or neat facial hair, etc. Technically, one could go looking like a homeless person, know the rules, hustle, and call a great game, but that person is going to start behind the eight ball the minute he steps into the building and I'm guessing will have trouble moving up the proverbial ladder.

Of course, all of that is for regular season type games. If it's a rec or summer league type deal, I'm not as concerned about what I'm wearing going to the game.

Are you saying that we can curse out the secretary at the school and you think that is going to go over well with any assignor? There is more to our job than what we do on the lines. If that was the case I could not show up to games and that should be OK if I get what you are saying.


What do you mean "I don't play the politics with assignors?" If the schools do not like the behavior or actions of the officials that are sent to their school, the assignor works for the schools not you. You are an independent contractor, but someone can decide not to use you. It is not their right to give you anything if they choose not to and they do not have to give you a reason why either. It is like going to a job interview, you think most people are going to get jobs going to that interview in jeans and a ripped t-shirt?

Being professional is more than what we do on the court.

Peace

Kstate,
So many cliches, so little time. Do can you spot the contradictions within your post?

Looking professional goes hand in hand with acting professional.

I don't arrive at a site without a collared shirt on. If it's a Saturday and I'm not coming from work wearing a shirt and tie, I'll at least put on nice shoes with my nicer jeans and a collared shirt tucked in.