Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

[gh]

As you may or may not know, the onfield officials at Millrose all wear tuxedos. I've always thought putting the old monkeysuit on was a nice touch, but then, I'm an old fart.

In terms of trying to market the sport to a younger crowd--i.e., be a bit more hip--what do you think of the suggestion that the officials need to look less like they're at the opera and more like they're at a track meet?

[hjsteve1.97]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

no ! leave it the way it is ! spoken by an older fart....

[az2]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

they can keep the tuxes...

just let the competitors do it the ole greek way, sans apparel!!

[MJD]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

>no ! leave it the way it is ! spoken by an older fart....

A slighter younger fart says keep 'em.

[MJR]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

I'm torn on this issue. While I think the Tux adds to an air of prestige, it is really uncomfortable to do your job as an official in one and you sweat uncontrollably during the meet. The way to go is probably treat it like a USATF Championship event and wear that uniform instead. GH's point is well taken and make sense. Getting it past Skip, David & Howard is another issue entirely. I'd wait until after the meet is over to even bring it up, though.

[lefterisp]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

>As you may or may not know, the onfield officials at Millrose all wear tuxedos.
>I've always thought putting the old monkeysuit on was a nice touch, but then,
>I'm an old fart.

In terms of trying to market the sport to a younger
>crowd--i.e., be a bit more hip--what do you think of the suggestion that the
>officials need to look less like they're at the opera and more like they're at
>a track meet?

What about women official? Do they wear tuxedos or evening gowns? Or aren't there any women officials?
Tuxedo sounds too much for a sporting event. I vote for removing them. Have them wearing space suits.

[marknhj]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

One reason for flying across the country to this meet is to see in person the gaudy shirts GH apparently favors. Dump the tux's.

[gh]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

Sorry, gaudy shirts only at outdoor meets.

Perhaps I should break out the outfit I last got married in, which is a tuxedo with a twist: had the striped pants cut off and made into shorts.

[marknhj]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

>Sorry, gaudy shirts only at outdoor meets.

Perhaps I should break out the
>outfit I last got married in, which is a tuxedo with a twist: had the striped
>pants cut off and made into shorts.

Oh, that's a shame. Yes, I vote for the cut-down tux, although it might be a little chilly outside!

[tafnut]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

Tuxedos on officials is just silly now. I'd say try to get hipper, but I bet the median age of those people is probably 65 (he said half-seriously), so sleek black leather jumpsuits are out of the question. I vote for jet-black trousers & dress shirts, Johnny Cash, but more elegant.

[mrbowie]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

What would you have the officials wear, perhaps those Bermuda shorts you sported at Stanford for the Nationals?

In a game where the butts are hard to find in the seats, the sight of old guys parading around in shorts would clear all remaining fans from the arena!

[MJR]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

The pasty white thighs would be sickening to see!!

[lefterisp]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

I liked the TV coverage but most of all I got the answer to the question I had posted before and no one bothered to answer. There were women officials and they were also wearing tuxedos!

[misterp]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

IMVHO, it sends the wrong message to hundreds of kids who look up to t&f officials. Sure, the Milrose officials can afford to wear tuxedos, but most kids can't. What type of message is this conduct sending to society.

Personally, I support officials wearing informal clothes. It's part of my religion. But I don't oppose Milrose officials wearing tuxedos just because I think doing so damns them to the eternal flames. I recognize that others might feel differently. That's their right in this, the greatest of countries. But I'm thinking of the poor kids, who see it on TV, think they have to get tuxedos 'cause it's cool or something, and then take money from their mother's purse to buy the cummerbund and tie.

Those officials, wearing tuxedos just because they can, should think about their impact as role models.

ps. And how about that Marion Jones breast-bearing incident!?! What kind of message is that sending?!?

[never slow]

Re: Time To Lose The Tuxedos At Millrose?

I doubt that Platinum would be surprised.