Pregame Jackets
 

Opinions on best jacket out there? Our association is getting jackets from a company called Ripon Athletic in Berlin,WI. Has anyone heard of the company.

Our jackets will have
Solid Black brushed nylon exterior
Full zipper front
Two pockets
Knit cuffs, waistband, and collar
Mesh lining-No flannel lining that clings to your body when damp!*
Wisconsin WIAA logo

Never heard of the company. But, not surprisingly, the jacket sounds exactly like what I've had (different logo of course).

My current jacket is a SMITTY. I like it ok.....for as long as I have it on.

Maybe I'll Get Lucky And Get Hit By A Team Bus ...
 

The most recent version of our local pregame jacket has a shiny satin-like outer shell that wrinkles no matter how carefully one folds it. Many of us don't like carrying a garment bag. The shiny satin-like outer shell reminds me of the type of jackets worn back when disco roller skating was popular. The jacket salesman, an official who is a member of our local board, did not recommend this version to our executive committee. He liked the cloth outer shell version that didn't wrinkle. Our executive committee also selected a local logo that looks very amateurish. Worst decisions ever made by our executive committee. Now were stuck with a wrinkled jacket, with a stupid logo, for many years to come, probably until I retire.

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+1 on the stupid satin look. Very 1980's...which is when our logo and jacket was designed. Believe it or not, the stupid logo incites more debate at meetings than ANY other topic including playoff crew eligibility. And the jackets are sold to us by a past president of the association. Once in a while, with like minded partners, we'll just skip wearing them pre-game and risk a fine for being out of uniform. Not only are they funky looking, they're too hot for Florida.

Guess I'm lucky in that we're required to wear the latest/greatest CCA jacket so there's not much room for interpretation. Don't think there are multiple versions of it floating around out there.

I'm even luckier that we don't wear jackets at all in our association.

I noticed more than a few varsity crews this past season doing just that.

We often will get crew chiefs who opt out of jacket use. I work for two associations--one without a logo and one with. My logoless jacket is the one I wear. That could change, of course, but the satin look out of Hoosiers would be a turn off. Unless, the uniform shorts from the days of yore made a comeback.

If the teams go in, we'll go in while the court is empty and put our jackets back in the locker room.

Their Way, Or The Highway ...
 

All 325 of us have to purchase, and wear, these "disco" jackets by the 2013-14 season. After that, there's no choice involved. I know a few veterans who haven't purchased the "disco" jacket yet, knowing that they will retire before having to officiate a game to the tune of "Disco Duck".

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Jackets. Phooey.
 

The latest in the "let's pretend" philosophy of officials association pomposity is jacket requirements.

"Let's make believe we're NCAA-1 or NBA! They wear jackets during warm-ups! Let's be like them! We make $71 per game! Let's all go blow a couple of game fees and buy one so we can look like our heroes! So what if the gym is already sweltering after a GV, a JVG and a JVB we'll look just like the guys on TV! Hot moms take notice!"

I probably wouldn't b!tch as much if it were $71.

Be like them???? I think my association has been wearing jackets since before the NBA or NCAA existed. Some areas may be like that, but in general, HS jackets are a longtime tradition. Silly tradition, sure, but not a copy of the big times.

Yea ... why should we try and look professional. Maybe we could save some more money if we ordered a couple of those old "pinnies" instead of buying good looking striped shirts !!! Wow, the things people ***** about !!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: