Have you been in the locker room with an official that said, “Why do I need to shine my shoes? They are just going to get scuffed and dirty.”

He or she just doesn’t get it. It isn’t the shined shoes that a coach or fan notices, it is the attention to detail that stands out.

In football, it is irritating to walk out onto a muddy field with shoes shined and all equipment looking neat only to have that shine be gone in a matter of seconds. However, the shine on your image will remain.

In baseball and softball, your shoes will often be dusty before the first pitch. Indoor sports tend to not abuse your shoes as much, but still require regular attention. But again, it isn’t the polish that makes you a good official; it’s your work ethic before the contest begins.

An official that spends the time to make sure his or her shoes are shined is almost always the official that makes sure his or her uniform looks pressed and clean. He or she makes certain that patches, whistles and other game equipment are properly worn and in working order prior to the contest. In addition, it’s likely that an official who spends that extra time on uniforms and equipment is more likely to read the rules books throughout the season. That type of official is often the best at communicating with the assigners and schools to confirm contest dates, times and locations.

The official concerned with the shine on his or her shoes is almost always interested in making his or her crew “shine” during the contest and serves a leader and mentor to the other officials.

This is not to say that a well-dressed and equipped official is automatically a better official than one with scuffed shoes or a wrinkled shirt. It is a reminder that the more an official concentrates on the “small” stuff, the more likely he or she is to concentrate on the “big” stuff, like rules, mechanics and game management.

In today’s world, image means more than ever. If one looks the part, many fans and coaches will be more likely to give him or her the benefit of the doubt. An official may be wrong, but they will pause, just a beat, because of how his or her “shine”. The “un-shined” official can make the correct call and still be challenged due to his or her on court image.

Review all equipment. Are shirt stripes a bright white or have a yellow tint? Does a jacket, shirt or slacks look wrinkled? Are socks a dark black with no holes or a grayish tint with big holes in the heel? Is there rust on a lanyard, goo on a whistle or mud on a penalty flag? An official should always review game equipment and uniforms before the season and then give them a good look and washing after each contest. Looking the part is an important aspect of officiating. It can make an official feel confident as he or she walks onto the court or field, and it sends a message to those watching that he or she is prepared and serious about this event.

The next time you sit with your shoes and black polish, think about how you are doing more than making your shoes look good. You are shining your image as an official and that is always worth the effort.