Uniform, Uniform, Uniform! (July 2000)
A parting note from Yvonne Hodge, Past President, NAWGJ
What sport that has officials does not require a standard uniform?
Basketball, football, hockey and soccer officials are definitely required to
wear a specific uniform. It makes them visible and professional looking. They
don’t “come to work” wearing a pair of navy pants and a shirt with polk-a-dots
on it because they “didn’t want to buy the uniform” or because they did
not want to feel dictated to. In gymnastics, the officials belong to the judging
association (NAWGJ) which represents them, negotiates their working conditions,
and their fees, communicates with them by newsletter, provides educational
materials, holds clinics, and ASSIGNS THEM.
The only thing NAWGJ asks in return is that the judge be responsible, prompt,
ethical, and professional. One tremendous way to look professional and to
support NAWGJ beliefs is to wear the uniform.
NAWGJ is not asking us to wear stripes or that loud “floor mat“ blue
color, only to look professional by dressing alike in the NAWGJ uniform. Wearing
any navy suit doesn’t qualify for wearing the uniform. This is very evident at
meets where judges come in either a navy jacket and black pants, a black suit, a
royal blue suit with pinstripes or other combinations of shades, textures,
styles, and lengths.
It is better to “wear to fray” a uniform, than it is to ruin our other
suits judging weekend after weekend. It is even financially feasible to pay for
a few alterations on the uniform if it doesn’t quite fit coming from the
factory because we wear it so often, and the wear and tear will not then fall on
our personal work clothes or street clothing.
Now you might venture the excuse that “those Brevets who judge Classics,
American Cup, Olympic Trials, etc. have on their black or navy street suits”.
I will immediately reply, “Brother, Sister, when you or I have the pressure
that those judges feel officiating at those stressful, nerve-racking events, we
probably would say, wear chartreuse and pink to judge in if it will make you
feel better!” (Most of those same judges wear the NAWGJ uniform when they are
in the “trenches” the rest of the judging year.)
THE OFFICIAL NAWGJ UNIFORM! It is the Navy NAWGJ blazer and matching skirt
with a white dress blouse, not a sweater, not a T-shirt, not cream or yellow.
The idea is to look alike and professional. This is one occasion that we are not
supposed to be making a “fashion statement”.
Thanks for listening.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Hodge
