There seems to be some confusion and rumors about our new ITA shirts and I would like to clear that up as quickly as possible.
When Myron, Chuck Scott, and myself first initiated the idea of an ITA shirt for our officials we did the following:
1. Contacted the ITA and received their WRITTEN permission to use the logo. They had their artists give us the logo we could use. They also had us sign a written agreement that we would not make a profit in the sale of the shirts (and we have honored that agreement completely.)
2. We then got the approval of our Sectional Chairman, Bruce Sampley, as the duly appointed representative of the USTA.
3. After those two steps, we had the shirts manufactured and are now using them in our matches.
After getting the proper authorization, we invited EVERY ITA coordinator in Texas and Oklahoma to join us in using the new ITA logo. The vast majority gladly joined in the process.
We have heard rumors and inuendos about the new shirts ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous--and none of them are true. The BASIC UNALTERABLE FACTS are stated above and you can quote me anywhere you would like. We have also heard that some in the leadership of the USTA don't like the shirts but that the attorneys for the USTA love the idea so go figure that one out in your spare time.
Let me also point out that the ITA shirts have been in use in California for numerous years and they continue to do so even today.
Truth always overcomes rumors so there you have it folks. The shirts are required in DFW, Austin, Houston, and Waco so if you intend to work at these locations be aware of the requirement. All of the officials who work in those locations are well aware of the requirement and we have had no complaints. In fact, we have had nothing but compliments on the new shirts from officials, coaches, and players. Remember that as ITA officials we are considered "independent contractors" and as such, we can require the new ITA shirts if you wish to work at our matches.
Hopefully this will help put to rest some unfounded rumors...
9 comments:
Nobody cares what shirts you wear and anyone making a stink is an idiot. Honestly, it's nice to know some of you guys actually have another shirt to wear other than the hideous blue/red shirt. My biggest concern is that some of you guys only have one shirt and by the end of the weekend you are a bit ripe.
I honestly worry more about where you guys leave your seeing-eye dogs during the winter months when you are inside doing a match. Locked up inside a freezing car is no way to treat man's best friend.
I woke up during the night and was thinking on this whole situation and I was reminded of two things:
1. Change doesn't come easily nor quickly.
2. Its not easy to turn a large ship.
Does anybody wonder why these shirts are not being used in College Station?
Gosh anonymous! Such bitterness! Did your team lose a close one this week? So much easier to blame things on the officials rather than the player or, heaven forbid, poor coaching, isn't it? Let's see, 6 singles matches with a bare minimum of 12 games per match and 4points per game. Bare minimum 288 points, but let's use an average of 6 points per game and 17 games per individual match, just for discussion purposes. 612 points to play the singles portion on an ITA matchup. Doubles, let's estimate another 235 points, so close to 850points for the teams to play in an ITA scrum, which many of them are turning out to be. And, let's assume three coaches, three sets of eyes between them. While many profess to be able to see what happens 5 courts away while their back is turned, science dictates otherwise. So yes, it's obvious that within those 850-point encounters, the officials are the problem. Yeah right!
Maybe the powers that be should be more concerned with making officiating better than what shirt we are wearing. You would think they could better spend their time on finding ways to further extend diversity.
When is the vendor going to have the system ready to handle individual orders? The season is going to be over soon!! Why buy then?
Something to be aware of with this new ITA gear. The windbreaker jackets tend to have the zipper separate from the bottom up sometimes. Looks kinda dorkie when that happens.
I talked to the manufacturer yesterday and the website should be functional this coming week. We have already sold over 150 shirts so most ITA officials have them thank goodness.
Also, the windshirts and jackets have the same problem with the zippers as do the Big 12 jackets (since they are made by the same people.)
The way to cure the problem is be sure that the zipper is fully engaged before zipping it. Usually cures the problem completely.
I am the original anonymous. I don't have a team. I was making a joke that it doesn't matter what the officials wear. Seriously, some of you guys take yourselves way too seriously. It's a freaking game. One we all hopefully love.
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