Crew Uniformity

[shrekjr]

So I'm watching this game on TV, one official has a number, the others don't, one has an adjustable mesh hat, the others are fitted cloth. Some signals to the table look a little lazy and sloppy. Not the look of a crew used to being on tv.

In this day and age, at any college game...MCLA or NCAA...odds are there is going to be a camera nearby. I think the crews should do their best to dress alike and give the appearance of professionalism at every game. You just never know when you'll end up in the public eye even for those not in attendance.

[Sonny]

Agree.

[BigheadTodd]

what is MCLA policy? is it required or suggested?

[Sonny]

MCLA policy is the same as USL COC policy working an NCAA game.

[BigheadTodd]

MCLA policy is the same as USL COC policy working an NCAA game.

and that is? I let my USL membership lapse this year so i did not get a new rulebook.

[laxfan25]

one official has a number, the others don't, .

I'm still trying to find out if we are being supplied with one set of numbers by the COC - I've heard yes and no - before ordering some at $12 per set.
I agree about uniformity and looking our best every time out.

[LaxRef]

one official has a number, the others don't, .

I'm still trying to find out if we are being supplied with one set of numbers by the COC - I've heard yes and no - before ordering some at $12 per set.
I agree about uniformity and looking our best every time out.

My understanding is that you CAA is supposed to find out how many numbers you want and then charge you for them. They said it will be a while until everyone gets the numbers, so they're might be some "mixed crews" out there for a while.

Personally, I don't think they should try to phase something like this in in midseason. If they got too late a start on it to do it for the whole year, they should have just held off until next year so we could all be properly attired.

The other annoying thing about the numbers is that if you sew it on, you're going to have it on your back for high school games and we're back to "mixed crews." If you do velcro, it will probably look crappy. And the only other option is to buy two sets of shirts. That's fine if you live in San Diego, but between my short, mesh, long, weatherbeater, and jacket, that's a lot of extra cash.

[shrekjr]

I have to agree with LaxRef here. Tough to add anything to the uniform in mid-season without having to buy a new set of stuff, or look sloppy by having velcro strips exposed on the shirt. I would have preferred a little notice before the season began. As it is, we haven't heard anything other than rumors here in our area.

[stripes182]

I was instructed to have a jersey with a number on it for all collegiate games in my district. So far, in all of my games (MCLA), I've been the only member of the crew wearing a number. I went with long and short-sleeved 100% polyester jerseys (from the Official's Corner, and from all of their work they deserve the shameless plug), and with an assortment of Under Armour and work-issued (think three-lettered camping store) base layers, I think they should do me for all conditions. I've yet to encounter an official with a number, or any other patch for that matter, sewn on their jacket, nor have I seen an official actually wear their reversible jacket during play, but if both of those are set to change as a matter of mechanic, I suppose I'll adapt. I agree that uniformity is important, as it conveys a message of professionalism; but with the contract news being made public so close to the start of the season, I think we'll have to deal with whatever we have at the field on any given day. Besides, as one of my crew chiefs was very quick to point out to me, in the case of issues with particular officials in games where we're supposed to be wearing numbers, they can always blame ## (ME!)! On that note, I'll need to make sure I have my blank jerseys ready for games from now on, eh?

PS - shrekjr, I can't speak for numbers, but if Vail works for you this summer, I can make sure that at least one crew of officials can have uniform off-field footwear. - Your roomie.

[Sonny]

In those states where boys lacrosse has been sanctioned - The official's uniform for H.S. games is governed by your high school sanctioning association (just like all other sports).

Not sure why you would wear a number in a high school game, if it isn't part of the uniform. So there shouldn't be an mixed crew issues there. You also shouldn't be using USL COC patches on non COC games.

So the only real, pratical solution is to buy two sets of shirts - one for H.S. and one for Collegiate games (MCLA and NCAA Varsity). The beauty for those of us who work varsity NCAA games is that we now only have two uniforms instead of three from last year - NCAA, MCLA, High School.

P.S. I've never heard of a college or high school uniform that included numbers or patches on jackets. Therefore, one jacket could be shared among all levels of officiating.

[shrekjr]

PS - shrekjr, I can't speak for numbers, but if Vail works for you this summer, I can make sure that at least one crew of officials can have uniform off-field footwear. - Your roomie.

Great minds think alike...I already have 3 pair and I'm always looking to add to the collection. Definitely one of the best things that came out of that week!

[shrekjr]

I guess I'm just really confused now on the issue of numbers on the shirts for MCLA games. If a decision was made for officials to wear them this year, 1) why aren't we all doing it, and 2) why are there quite a few officials who have not heard anything about it?

Honestly, I don't care either way. Personally, I do think the numbers look more professional for games at the college level, but I just don't understand why there seems to be any question about what we're supposed to be doing this year. Someone should have made that decision long ago.

[SDSULAX]

They probably used the same communication system that was used to let everyone know about not touching their stick after being called for a stick check or the number of stick checks per team per game.

[LaxRef]

They probably used the same communication system that was used to let everyone know about not touching their stick after being called for a stick check

You mean putting in the NCAA Rule Book for the last 3–4 years? Seriously, that's been a rule for a long time: you can't adjust your stick after the official asks for it. Same rule in NFHS, BTW. I don't know what more you can do to communicate that than to put it in the rulebook.

or the number of stick checks per team per game.

This was a change made by the NCAA coaches. They all knew about it. Obviously, the officials were all told about it. The big question is why there were MCLA coaches who didn't know about it, and I didn't know that was a problem until your post.

It was, however, widely discussed in press releases, online forums, and so on. I find it hard to believe there were many teams where no one on the team heard about it. And for the first couple games of the season at least, I made sure to make sure the coaches knew before the game started.

[SDSULAX]

I didn't say adjust their stick, I said touch it, I am glad you informed MCLA coaches about it before the games, every little bit helped.