TO:  MWP Webmaster

RE:  Response to question on Referee Uniforms

DATE: 20 October 2002

To show that they are unbiased, impartial and pure of heart.

Actually, that is the uniform specified in the rules for the officials. In the 1960's and 1970's, the ref's wore white pants and the zebra, black/white shirts. As for the reasoning behind the all-white, I don't know for sure, but I believe it really does have something to do with showing that the officials are impartial and have no affiliation with a particular team color.

Some uniform had to be established and I guess all-white is as good as any. In recent years, there has been rulings from the Rules and Interpretations Committee's that allow officials to wear a shirt that is particular to that tournament, such as the Olympics, NCAA Nationals, Junior Olympics, etc. These do not have to be white, but all officials must wear the same uniform.

                                                           SUBMITTED BY:  Scott Sease