Mandated Wear

[Rich]

Wisconsin does not allow the side panels in any WIAA game. They also have a clean shirt policy -- other than an (optional) flag patch on the sleeve, there is no patch required or allowed -- no state patch, no association patch.

Officials working state are reminded of the panels and that the crew should either be all flag or all no-flag. Amazingly enough, this didn't appear to be a problem for any of the 30 state games (boys/girls).

To me, this is the best policy of any of the states I've seen. It's that way in all 3 sports I work, too.

[VACaller]

Originally Posted by Rich

Wisconsin does not allow the side panels in any WIAA game. They also have a clean shirt policy -- other than an (optional) flag patch on the sleeve, there is no patch required or allowed -- no state patch, no association patch.

Officials working state are reminded of the panels and that the crew should either be all flag or all no-flag. Amazingly enough, this didn't appear to be a problem for any of the 30 state games (boys/girls).

To me, this is the best policy of any of the states I've seen. It's that way in all 3 sports I work, too.

I agree with you, you've got it good right now! Just wait until they see how much these State associations are making with the manadated shirts and the "royalties"!

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

And at what price?

My belief is that if an organization such as a State office decides to mandate a specific uniform (or just shirt depending upon the sport), then it should supply the required uniform or reimburse the officials for the cost of the purchase.

Yep.

This is the way officiating is going now. It has crept down into the high school ranks from the college level. Basketball isn't as bad in college because they all wear the same shirt and I haven't seen many, if any, conferences with logos on shirts. Baseball conferences all have their own shirts/hats/jackets, and umpires are expected to buy uniforms for each conference. Of course this isn't done just for the fun of it. There is a reason a short sleeve shirt is $45 and a jacket is $70. I'll let you figure out why.

[Dexter555]

I'm delighted to have another business expense for a tax write-off. The more I buy the more I save!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by VACaller

I agree with you, you've got it good right now! Just wait until they see how much these State associations are making with the manadated shirts and the "royalties"!

I know that the places that sell shirts or jacket with a logo on them is paying for some licensing rights. Not sure what those agreements are, but that is the case in my state. It is no different than buying official NBA or NFL stuff, you have to get permission to put their logo or logos on a shirt or jacket.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by VACaller

I agree with you, you've got it good right now! Just wait until they see how much these State associations are making with the manadated shirts and the "royalties"!

With one of the big Cliff Keen resellers in the state, I've been wondering if this day is coming. So far, so good (for us).

Although, I'll be honest, it really wouldn't bother me. I buy new stuff regularly and one thing this kind of effort does is force people to replace stuff that should've been replaced years earlier. If it drives people out of officiating, it's probably driving the right people out. It's the kickback part and the exclusivity and the resulting inflated prices that bother me.

(I already pay those prices for NCAA football shirts because I like the sublimated placards and logos -- but that's my choice -- I can get the shirts from other vendors with traditional placards and flag/conference patches cheaper.)

[Adam]

IAABO state here, which means we have to have shirts with IAABO patches. That means (exclusively) Honig's for shirts. Due to that excusivity, I buy EVERYTHING else from ANYWHERE else.

[Rob1968]

In our area, we all have to have new jackets, for next season. And, you guessed it, there's only one supplier . . .