Uniform Changes for 2013
At the UMLOA Annual General Meeting, the general membership voted to approve the following changes for january 1, 2013 for all high school and youth lacrosse games:
- Black shorts with belt loop and pockets (no cargo shorts)
- Black ankle socks (no crew socks or no-show socks)
- Black nylon jackets (plain; no striped jackets and no logos, stripes, etc.)
College games are already using this uniform. All returning officials must have an appropriate pair of black shorts prior to working high school or youth games starting January 1, 2013. See below for a list of possible vendors. In addition, the following gear is still required:
- Short-sleeved striped shirt (on cold days, wear black long sleeves underneath if you don't have a long-sleeved striped shirt)
- Black belt with plain silver buckle
- Black shoes with any logos, designs, or other colors blacked out
- Black hat with white piping
- Two penalty flags
- Black Fox-40 finger-grip whistle
- Scorecard
- Pencils
- Coin at least the size of a half dollar
- Lacrosse official's timer (Level 2 only)
- Small tape measure (6 ft., preferably black or covered in black tapel; Level 2 only)
Updating Your Uniform and Equipment
New officials are issued a starter package of equipment with their Level 1 class, and Level 2 officials receive a belt timer. All officials are strongly encouraged to add to their equipment and uniform options every year. Receommended gear includes:
- Black nylon rain pants with zipper ankles (no white stripes or logos)
- A long-sleeved striped shirt (if you will work games in the fall, winter, or spring)
- A black nylon jacket (plain; no striped jackets and no logos, stripes, etc.)
- A short-sleeved mesh striped shirt (if you will work games in the summer)
- Black wicking T-shirts for under your striped shirt (long and short sleeves)
- A new officials hat
- A black bag for your gear
- Shoe polish (to keep black shoes looking nice)
- Spare or replacement Fox-40 finger-grip whistles, a Fox-40 lanyard whistle as a backup, penalty flags, score cards, coins, tape measures, pencils, erasers, black belt, shorts, socks
Returning junior officials should generally spend at least $50 per year on gear and returning Level 2 adults should spend at least $100 per year.
Some newer officials like to order a second discount starter package with a long-sleeved shirt instead of a short-sleeved shirt to get extras of all of the other gear; this is a good way to get black shorts for the new season as well.
Uniform and Equipment Vendors
The following vendors sell lacrosse officiating gear:
General Sports in Edina (the only good retail option in town)
Zebrawear.com (They have Windham Pointe black shorts for $35; order the $35 white shorts but make a note that you want black; they also have black socks for $5/pair or $8 for two pair. If you indicate you are with the UMLOA when ordering shorts, they will throw in a pair of black socks.)
Officially Sports (coupon codes: lax10 for up to $99, lax15 for $100 to $149, lax20 for $150 or more through 3/1/13)
The Officials Corner (coupon code a441964 good for 10% off through 3/3/13)
ZimaGear (dye-sublimation jerseys with lacrosse patches and flags printed directly onto them)
Beall's of Florida Black Shorts #1 (usually $25 per pair, plus shipping)
Beall's of Florida Black Shorts #2 (usually $20 per pair, plus shipping)
Cold-Weather Options for New Officials
If you are a sub-varsity official and don't have a long-sleeved striped shirt yet, you can wear black long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt under your striped shirt (no hoodies and no printing from the shirt can be visible through the striped shirt). Black nylon jackets with no printing can be worn over the striped shirt if the whole crew has them. Black nylon rain pants (no sweatpants) with no stripes or printing can also be worn. All officials should have a long-sleeved striped shirt by their second year. See above for vendors.
Any other items (e.g., gloves, headbands) should be black.