If you could change one thing about Equipment/Uniform...

[FredFan7]

...what would it be? Would you want pants instead of knickers? A gray pinstripe shirt? No hats? Orange penalty flag? Air horn instead of whistle (wasn't that used at one time?)?

If you are a HS official would you want letters on the back of your shirt like college? Or numbers?

Nothing earth-shaking here and no right or wrong answers, just some fun fodder for off season.

I personally think the uniform is pretty good as it is, but I wouldn't mind a position letter on the back of my uniform for HS varsity games.

[mike4486]

black knickers , easier to clean

[goodnews]

I would like to see the pea whistle used the fox 40 just sounds like a basketball whistle to me

[Texas Aggie]

I'd like a sock change. I don't know what exactly to suggest, but something a little more generic that doesn't force me into the crappy selection we have now.

The basic uniform, I don't think, should change. Most of these suggestions are not practical, they are just change for change sake. I'm never in favor of that.

I'd also like to go to shorts in junior high games in September.

As far as the whistle goes, what's stopping you from using the pea whistle?

[RMR]

I'd like it if Under Armour would make a sock with the Northwestern stripe.

[MadCityRef]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I'd also like to go to shorts in junior high games in September.

As far as the whistle goes, what's stopping you from using the pea whistle?

We can wear shorts on any game in Illinois. Although it's pretty cold by October. You'd think in Texas....

[jontheref]

I like the black pants---I know a lot dont care for them on the NFL level, but they look sharp.

Thats about the only thing on the officials side. On the players side I would luv to see manufacturers to put the "C" on the players shirts. It makes it a bit easioer to find when doing the options for a penalty.

[HLin NC]

basketball did.

A black shell type windpant with either no stripe, white piping, or multiple stripe a la adidas. The NFL pant with that wider white stripe truly makes it look like prison pants. I would also want the pants gathered at the ankles with elastic instead of open.

If that doesn't fly, make the knickers down to the ankle like baseball wears now and then just skip the officials stocking/hose.

A pullover type shell jacket, similar to the NFL's new LS shirt, in a striped pattern, that would be wind and water proof.

[Forksref]

Don't take the collar off. It looks geeky without a collar. Don't go to black pants. It reminds me of flag football. As for cold, I wear underarmor on top and long johns below. No problem.

I'd suggest a red flag for afternoon games late in the fall on what looks like wheatfields! As a kid, I remember red flags in the games.

I'd outlaw the blue bags. They are hard to see on green fields. Whoever came up with that idea was looking to make a buck. I am not into fads.

I would outlaw any trim or stripes or non-white colors on the shoes. I think those things look CHEAP and make the official look unprofessional. If we are to wear a "uniform", then the entire crew should wear the identical UNIFORM, including the shoes.

I think the uniform looks sharp as it is. Only problem is keeping the pants white.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Forksref

...

I think the uniform looks sharp as it is. Only problem is keeping the pants white.

Oxy Clean does wonders for the knickers. I use a bit with a regular wash. For those extremely muddy days, soak the knickers in Oxy Clean, then wash with Oxy Clean and detergent.

[stevestod]

Oxy clean works great when I do the White hat; but most of the time I'm in the middle with the Big Eaters and it is huge difference on how clean you can stay. We work on fields that include all sports including football; after rain at the end of the season they are big mud pits. On the plus side you can pick a lot of worms at night.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

Oxy Clean does wonders for the knickers. I use a bit with a regular wash. For those extremely muddy days, soak the knickers in Oxy Clean, then wash with Oxy Clean and detergent.

Thanks Ed!