Shoes

[timasdf]

This depends on the state / governing body. In my opinion, a major factor is the influence that the volleyball people have with the state association.

In many states, volleyball is an afterthought that is forced on the state office (that would prefer to be dealing with basketball and football issues).

I've worked in both. In California, the VB community has quite a bit of autonomy / influence. Because of that, the VB officials wear white shoes and navy blue pants. Same in Ohio. There are some influential VB people that live there.

In other states where VB is an afterthought, VB officials typically wear black shoes and black pants. In a significant number of states, VB refs are simply washed-up basketball refs that can't run or move any longer. The state office doesn't want to force them to buy a different pair of shoes and pants.

They see that all they have to do is stand there, blow the whistle for serve and when it hits the ground...grab their check and leave. I recall one such ref working a full varsity schedule at the ONE 1-hour annual rules meeting ask, "what is a block"?

How many states still have their VB refs wear stripes?

[timasdf]

The best shoes I have used for VB officiating are listed as "walking shoes." Super cushioned. Been wearing them for years.

[genetoy71]

Originally Posted by timasdf

...I've worked in both. In California, the VB community has quite a bit of autonomy / influence. Because of that, the VB officials wear white shoes and navy blue pants. Same in Ohio.

Not true about Ohio - pants or shorts have to be black.

[LRZ]

Originally Posted by timasdf

How many states still have their VB refs wear stripes?

I don't work VB, but this question made me curious, so I looked it up on the PIAA website. Pennsylvania mandates black&white striped shirts, with everything else all black.

[ilyazhito]

Originally Posted by LRZ

I don't work VB, but this question made me curious, so I looked it up on the PIAA website. Pennsylvania mandates black&white striped shirts, with everything else all black.

Why do they do that? It would make sense if the reason was politics and unwillingness to change .

On a more serious note, MD uses the white USA Volleyball-type shirt with the MPSSAA logo on the right chest (the logo is normally on the right sleeve for other sports, but with volleyball officials rarely being visible in profile, the state probably wanted their logo in a more visible position, on the chest). MD volleyball officials also wear black pants and black shoes.

[PaREF]

In Pennsylvania the "official" volleyball uniform is black and white stripes, black pants, socks, and shoes. The reason is as timasdf nails it, many volleyball officials are washed-up basketball officials (and softball/baseball umpires) and those who are buddies with the PIAA brass say that they don't want to have to buy another shirt. They even go so far as to say that it isn't worth the money to buy the white shirt and that they will not ref volleyball if they have to wear a white shirt.

That, of course, is completely bogus because they are officiating whores who couldn't be bothered to read the rule book and do it strictly for the money. One paycheck could buy two shirts and the rest of their schedule is pure profit. I realize that volleyball is low on their priority list but it still bothers those of us who work only volleyball that PIAA has such low regard for the sport.

[LRZ]

PIAA = Politics Is As Always.