Seems that the powers that be in the USTA do not like USTA shirts being worn in non-USTA events (UIL and ITA) so they are considering a policy banning the use of the shirts for those events. Here is a copy of an email that Rich Kaufman (Head of USTA officials) sent out this past week:
"Currently there is an issue under discussion about the USTA shirts and what events that shirt should be worn.
That issue involves the USTA shirt with the USTA logo being worn at ITA events, high school events, and/or any other non-USTA events.
We at the USTA certify officials to work many varied tennis events. However, many events are not under any USTA regulations nor has the USTA been involved in creating these regulations. Identifying oneself by the USTA logo on the shirt does create larger issues in officiating and jurisdiction at non-USTA events. We have discussed this general issue at the meetings in the past so this is not a new issue that should surprise anyone. A new "official" policy might be forthcoming.
Some sections have separate ITA shirts already. In some cases the shirts are paid for by the officials or provided by the teams in the conference. Some conferences have their officials just wear a solid color neutral shirt (pre-determined color) rather than the USTA shirt and thus the officials do not have to go out and buy a separate shirt. Patches on future USTA shirts that are manufactured may be the solution with a variety of removable logos on the sleeve rather than the front so not to slowly destroy the front of the shirt when multiple patches are in use.
We are meeting on Tuesday with the powers to be at the USTA. Please stand by for more information.
Thanks
Rich Kaufman
Aren't you glad that we officials in Texas already had the foresight and wisdom to see this coming... We already have an ITA shirt in use so the policy actually has no effect in Texas. I'm sure we can also come up with a UIL shirt with no problems.
Seems that there is a tad of discontent among officials in other states though because of the cost involved in buying new shirts, new outerwear, and caps but I can clearly see a new policy on the horizon.
Such is life in America and the USTA...
12 comments:
I think it is time for you all to have a basic Foot Locker employee referee shirt on hand for those special occasions. That's a good look.
In my opinion, the Texas Section should throw all USTA officiating shirts in the trash and come up with a separate uniform. Besides, the USTA logo sucks and I would rather not have to wear it on a shirt.
In order to do that in Texas it would require having some credible leadership and we currently do not have that.
How strange. I thought one had to be USTA certified before becoming ITA certified. UIL (District, Regional, State)requires a USTA certified official because they are playing under USTA rules with some UIL thrown in. From what I can tell, it is hard enough to get an official to work UIL already. I know I don't want to buy a different shirt to use once or twice a year.
The USTA moves with glacier like speed.
A related issue that has not been resolved by the USTA, after the question was raised over a year ago, is the wearing of the USTA shirt by uncertified persons at USTA certified events and acting in the position of official. The last comment on that, by USTA, was over 7 months ago, and only with the statement that it was still under study, and a decision would be made at some later, unspecified date.
Good planning on the part of the TX coordinators on predicting the decisions of the USTA.
It's all about Corporate Greed. If the USTA isn't getting monetary compensation, then they don't want to allow the use of their logo on events. I say SCREW the USTA and let's not wear USTA shirts for working any tennis event. This also brings up the legality of requiring ITA, UIL and any other non-USTA events of requiring use of USTA-certified officials.
This is going down a very slippery slope. In my humble opinion, the champions of the USTA are all "felines"
The ANSWER my friends is BLACK - we will satisfy our (what seems like) a HUGE diversity problem and solve a SIMPLE one at the same time... For any ITA, UIL or other non-usta events - WEAR A BLACK SHIRT. Do not tell me its HOT – that does not cut it… Here is something else to think about – WE NEVER SEE THE SHIRTS ANYWAY THIS TIME OF THE YEAR!!!
Love BACO
Just got my new 2012 FOC. And not surprisingly, the tumbnail photos on the cover is a classic example of OVER DIVERSITY!!!
But hey now, what else besides go to a meeting on appropriate venues to wear the usta shirt does Richie have to do?
Is this the reason Texas A&M continues to use a non-certified official (i.e., failed background check) to work their home matches? Their coordinator must feel she doesn't have to abide by the rules everyone else is following. Maybe her demented thought patterns are focused on the USTA's shirt position and she has extrapolated that to mean it goes for certifications as well, although the ITA Rules section of the FAC is explitely clear on the matter.
Who got the e-mail sent out by Rich Kaufman? Did Randy get this direct or did someone forward him this info?
It was sent to me by a reliable source and was an email sent out to numerous people around the country.
So,I guess the rank-n-file folks will be receiving something on this in the near future?
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