My response to this would be the same as the Baylor women's basketball coach when A&M asked to play them again in basketball--when you get a divorce you don't get to choose who the divorced partner dates or dances with...
Those are my sentiments exactly. In Texas, we do things much better than putting officials out on the court in a solid black (or blue or green or purple) shirt. At least here we have ITA and UIL shirts to wear so we won't look like a joke.
Divorces are heck aren't they?
15 comments:
Update on ITA Apparel:
"Hey, All
We've gotten a clarification from the ITA about apparel / gear with their logo. Per the email below, anything purchased prior to 2/2/12 is permitted.
So, to summarize:
1. No USTA logos are permitted at non-USTA events. For Southern officials, the exception to this general rule is that you can still wear the navy USTA outerwear, provided the USTA logo is completely covered.
2. ITA merchandise is permitted, if puchased prior to 2/2/12."
Maybe we should go to titty bars and ask the girls for their pasties. I'm sure they will cover the USTA logos on our officials gear.
I don't know why I'm so angry about this. Texas officials have been well-prepared for this short fuse decision, to which I'm glad to say I'm one. I guess I'm just unexpectedly disappointed. I expected more from USTA than this. There definitely needs to be a changing of the guards, both with the USTA legal eagles and USTA officials leadership if this is the best they can do.
The USTA had no officials except the loyal volunteers, and coopted them to serve as subcontractors,
now the ITA is a devil to be exorcised from,
and all officials heed a wake up call;
ITA is the coaches whipping boy,
make a new rule, no serve lets, no bathroom breaks, no MTOs for prostate exams, yadda yadda.
Children playing at adult games;
GIGO, prevails.
Here's a copy of an email that was sent to Rich Kaufman:
Mr. Kaufman,
I realize these separation discussions have been going on for some time, which is fine. What is not fine is the lack of sensitivity and concern this shows for those of us who have been good stewards for USTA serving in an official capacity, being sure that we present ourselves as a professional mirror of USTA. After 4-5 years of discussions, this thoughtless decision is handed down in a day, with the officiating world scurrying about to find their own answer for attire. No transition period offered, nothing. If it's been suitable to talk about for 5 years, what's a few more months. To boot it's handed down right in the beginning of ITA season. We don't look like very good team players to our ITA leadership and I as well as many more that stand with me, agree with them. Shameful decision from very poor leadership. I don't know who exactly should have had our back on this, but as our representative, I guess the buck stops with you. I can't believe that legal made this decision without due counsel from the leaders within the officiating segment. If they did, I'd fire them and get some that are more forward thinking about potential repercussions.
Then because of all the backlash I suppose, 4 days later we get a subsequent email informing us what we might do for our non-USTA events due to this challenging turn of events. If USTA cared about us, this would have been thought of BEFORE 4 days had passed and 1600 officials have had to figure things out on their own. Frankly, I really don't care what USTA thinks now about any non-USTA event and its attire, nor do I wish to receive any further emails from USTA about how ITA is trying to get a reasonably priced shirt. It's no longer any of your business. I'm even more offended that you (whoever that might be) have the gall to try to "help" us through with non-USTA logo'd attire. I'll not pay for one more thing suggested by USTA for any officiating attire, except that which I have to, in order to continue to work USTA events.
You can save yourself the work and keep your USTA membership benefit....I'd rather pay more elsewhere than support you who has no regard for me and our officiating team. We are now separated and I'm sure soon to be totally divorced. I think while officials nationwide scurry now, down the road it will be a better thing for those of us disappointed by our USTA National counterparts.
Sign me: Totally thrown under the bus,
The more emails we receive justifying their actions make me realize who is really at fault in this divorce--the USTA. For people who are supposed to know what they are doing they sure know how to foul things up.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER!!
Has anything been published by the USTA on what kind of "penalty" will happen for anyone who does use/wear USTA logo stuff at non-USTA events?
1. suspension.
2. fines.
3. de-certification.
4. other.
At a minimum this would involve a violation of the Officials code of Conduct at it's next revision. I'm sure there will be some officials making an effort to inform the USTA suits of any violations they see or perceive.
This could get interesting.
Rich Kaufman should either voluntarily resign his position or get fired for incompetence. His poor leadership skills have really come forward this time.
Kinda makes you wonder why anyone would want to have anything to do with the "leadership" of the USTA. As for me, it's my decision on which events to which I submit my availability. Ergo, ipso facto, this 12+ years experienced USTA/ITA official will no longer submit availability for USTA events. As for the USTA Officials attire and equipment I've purchased, I will use/wear it whenever and whereever I choose, except UIL or ITA events, as I wouldn't want to insult either of those organizations. If the USTA wants to buy the Officials attire/equipment back from me, they're welcome to post the buyback information on this website.
So let me get this straight, IF I WANT TO, I can require my Officials buy a 'USTA shirt' for the two ZATs that we do, a 'UIL shirt' for the one District match we do because the coaches are idiots to each other, one 'Tennis Officials shirt' for the Private School tournament (that we sometimes do not have), and one 'ITA shirt' for the college matches if we get offered to help in Dallas or GOD FORBID Waco to call matches?
In otherwords, I can morgage my house to buy the attire I need to basically donate my time to tennis.
Screw this - I'd rather go fishing with Foster
The bottom line is that you don't have to buy a dang thing and you sure don't have to work anywhere. If you do choose to work, then grow up and buy the right apparel and quit griping about it. After all, its tax deductible anyway.
Randy, couldn't your 3:44 post also apply to your diatribe about local tournament pay?
"The bottom line is that you don't have to buy a dang thing and you sure don't have to work anywhere. If you do choose to work, then grow up....." and work, or choose not to.
What about ITA merchandise purchased after 2/2/12. I am a new ITA official and was just about to order my uniforms until I saw this post.
The other side of that coin is that if you consider it to be a "diatribe" then don't read it if you don't like it.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and calling something a diatribe is in the eye of the reader and writer.
No ITA apparel can be ordered at this time. Orders placed before the issue was placed on hold will be honored.
I'll put something on the blog as soon as ITA apparel is available.
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