Unshaven

[Terrapins Fan]

Lately I have been working with more and more guys who come to referee unshaven. ( unshaved?)

No, they are not growing a beard or anything, they just don't shave. Personally, I shave before every varsity contest. For a JV game, I may go with 1 days growth, but it's not much. Most people would not know I did not shave.

What's up with this? Is it happening everywhere?

Rumor has it that referees with beards and facial hair, don't get the best games, true for false?

I have no facial hair, haven't for a long time ( I am 57 and shaved everything when I was 35. )

[dumbasabrick]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

( I am 57 and shaved everything when I was 35. )

[JRutledge]

I can tell you the vast majority of officials I come in contact have no facial hair. I do see some mustaches, but nothing else. I do see some officials with a beard but that is rare. Basically that standard is not as strict at the HS level, but rather strict at the college level. It was suggested to me to cut my beard in order to work for certain people, I have done that and was never hurt by that issue. Still have a clean mustache but I can do that.

Peace

[VaTerp]

Funny you started this thread as I literally just came back from the men's room at my office after doing a quick trimmer shave (don't use razors- sensitive skin) for my game tonight.

There are a few officials I've worked with who show up unshaved. And I would say in general they do not get very good games. Not necessarily because of the facial hair but IMO b/c the lack of attention to detail and in some respects, professionalism, shows up in other areas as well.

[Rich]

I shave every day I work a game. Basketball, football, baseball -- it doesn't matter. This time of the year, I usually don't shave on Wednesdays and Sundays -- my two days off during the week.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Lately I have been working with more and more guys who come to referee unshaven.

What about the gals?

[letemplay]

I have shaved driving to a game using drivers side visor vanity mirror...this is harder than texting

[Raymond]

I cannot shave daily. When I was in the military I had a shaving waiver. If I shave more frequently than every 4 days my skin pays the price. Part of my 40% disability from the VA includes pseudofolliculitis.

The area of my face where I can grow a goatee is a lot more sensitive than the rest of my face. So on occasion if I have a heavy schedule I will have a goatee for a high school game. Other times if it is a low visibility game I will have a 5 o'clock shadow. My college schedule is not heavy enough (13 games this season is my career high) yet for it to be a problem at that level but I always come clean shaven for a college game or will shave in the locker room prior to the game.

So don't make assumptions about everybody who doesn't shave. In fact I'm working a regional semi-final tonight with a guy who has always kept a full, short beard since I've known him and he has worked multiple State Final Four games.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... Still have a clean mustache but I can do that.

Peace

Yep, an accepted double standard in the basketball officiating world. I had a JuCo supervisor who mentioned this every year. Never found out how this originated.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I cannot shave daily. When I was in the military I had a shaving waiver. If I shave more frequently than every 4 days my skin pays the price. Part of my 40% disability from the VA includes pseudofolliculitis.

The area of my face where I can grow a goatee is a lot more sensitive than the rest of my face. So on occasion if I have a heavy schedule I will have a goatee for a high school game. Other times if it is a low visibility game I will have a 5 o'clock shadow. My college schedule is not heavy enough (13 games this season is my career high) yet for it to be a problem at that level but I always come clean shaven for a college game or will shave in the locker room prior to the game.

So don't make assumptions about everybody who doesn't shave. In fact I'm working a regional semi-final tonight with a guy who has always kept a full, short beard since I've known him and he has worked multiple State Final Four games.

Sorry, I'm talking about those people who don't, not those who can't. I understand that not everyone can shave daily.

[Toren]

There have been lots of studies done about facial hair vs. non-facial hair as it relates to trust worthiness. These studies have shown: those with no facial hair, have more trust from strangers than those with hair.

As a result, I shave before every varsity contest. I give coaches enough reason to not trust me with my calls, I don't want to add not shaving too

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I can tell you the vast majority of officials I come in contact have no facial hair.

+1 It's frowned upon here.

I have other things to worry about, so this is one I can easily check off!

When in Rome!

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Yep, an accepted double standard in the basketball officiating world.

Mustaches are allowed but not other facial hair?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Mustaches are allowed but not other facial hair?

For African Americans, yes

[stiffler3492]

I was clean shaven for most of my games. In fact I had my (ex)girlfriend buy me an electric razor for Christmas one year so I could shave more often. Hated shaving with a razor every other day.