The Handlebar Club Forum

Ok, gents. A bit of back story before the question.

As some of you know I have a side job as a gridiron football referee. This has led to some interesting discussions on the part of my fellow officials. Most of us cannot remember ever seeing a "big time" ref with a handlebar, let alone facial hair of any type. I have a passion for this avocation as well as some talent in it to take this to the next level. I am not going to be on TV anytime soon, but will be working collegiate levels within a couple years. My main thoughts are to trim down to a minimum graspable appendage or, the thought sickens me, to shave off the whole thing. Sadly, this is an avocation where what you look like does matter.

My only other thought is to buck the system and keep it at a medium length (1.5 inches or so).

Thoughts, gents. Thanks for the input!

Cheers,
Kell

It is a horrible question. Whether anyone can remember seeing a "big time" ref with a handlebar is totally irrelevant. It's what you decide on going forward that matters. You set the precedent.

I would think that what matters is that you look respectable and act dignified (as well as do a good job). As long as you can assert your authority with confidence I can't imagine why a handlebar moustache would limit your opportunities (in ANY field). A well-groomed handlebar moustache doesn't exactly say, "I'm lazy and don't care about my appearance" but rather "I am calm, careful, patient and meticulous." How could anyone not value those qualities?

Don't be influenced by others. Be your own man.

Spoke with my ref mentor last night at our first meeting for the year. As he is a current college official I value him and his input and he loves the look, and says that it should not be an issue at any level. So it will be grown! Had a really good high last night that I can combine two of my passions!!!!

HUZZAH!

Last night I was hired on by a low division NAIA conference to work as an official for college gridiron football. The assigner gave me the details of what I need to do and the last thing he mentioned was to lose the stache entirely. Sadly, gentlemen, with this the case and the beginnings of one of my personal goals in life to work big college ball, I will be shaving off the statche only to grow it back again during the off season. So 8 months with a stache is better than no stache at all! With the first game not until September 17th, I am putting off shaving until then.

It has been wonderful having it, but to keep in good graces with those who would hire me, I will be removing the stache. I know we can appreciate the sacrifice, but I myself do not understand the big hairy deal. I will not be removing myself from this forum but will have little to offer other than past experience and observations. I will get to grow new every year and will be able to get well acquainted with the growth rate of my facial hair.

Kellum

Cheeky bugger, telling you to lose the 'tache after first giving you the job. Seems he hired you for your abilities but then decided to change your image. Many wives try that too - marry you, then spend the ensuing years trying to change you. Personally, I thought the image you posted recently in uniform looked great and harkened back to an earlier time.

One thing I'm not clear on. Is the job for compensation, or on a volunteer basis? I was a senior swim official (referee) for several years but on a volunteer basis. The 'tache was my signature image and everyone knew it; it never interfered with my advancement, nor should it have. Speaking of which, I suppose you'll be amending your signature line. Shame, it suited you too. Here's hoping you continue to visit us.

It is for compensation. The main reason as I understand it is so I do not draw undue attention to myself. The best job an official can perform is one where we are not noticed. I am OK with this for now, in the future I will offer to (perish the thought) trim to a more acceptable length, but as this is the first year, I am OK. My life goal still remains. To work in the NFL and have a handlebar while doing so! Maybe not so much as this maybe more this or

As for the signature, I still wish everyone long ashes 'taches and whiskers. I will only have mine for 8 months of the year.

Kell

I am (almost) speechless - not about your compliance which is your choice, but about the cheek of the "assigner".

Maybe you should have asked him if he'll require you to shave your arms, legs and chest as well? Oh, AND your eyebrows for good measure.

If there was a "fuming smiley" it would be right here >

David

Now you've done it, Kellum.

In my over four years on this Forum I don't ever recall our David angry. Bring on the "assigner"; off with his head!

mustachiomike here, renamed from mustachio because I could not remember my password and the forum, no matter how many times I tried did not respond to my request to refresh my memory, probably a computer issue. So, I just renamed myself.

On to the question-I do believe that it is only the "assigners" opinion that you shave, and not a league rule-seems like discrimination to me. I would seek legal advice before shaving. I hope it will not squash your chances of keeping the job. We should all be judged on our competences, not our looks. Didn't a guy named MLK say, "someday my children will be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin?" Not a direct quote, but pretty darn close.

I am ok with losing it for now. Its a first year guy thing, you wanna call ball, do what the guy tells you. After a couple of seasons of establishing myself, than I can probably wear it without consequence. While I can understand its not a written rule, I dont have the $$$ for the lawyer, and that would burn way to many bridges to be worth it!

Thanks for all the advice, always nice to know that Mike has my back!

Kell

I understand your decision: no sense making waves at a new job you really want - but like the others do not support the "assigner". I don't see the point that the moustache would make you somehow more distracting - most everyone has a remarkable distinguishing feature of some kind... does the guy with the bushy eyebrows have to trim them??

When you go to try to keep your stache for your 2nd season, you could always trim off the ends, but keep the middle long. Your moustache, when waxed properly, would just appear to be a full, yet respectably *normal* moustache. Then, you could either let the ends creep out as the season goes on or just enjoy the speed with which your handlebar returns in the off-season.

Good luck!

Ah Kellum, that's terrible! Congrats on getting closer to your professional goals though.

Hopefully, soon, you can wear the stache out on the field. The pic of you in your uniform just looks right.

UPDATE: Nothing too exciting, but I am still wearing it. We have been meeting in rules studies and nothing mentioned so far. I know that I will shave it before the first game. Luckily, I have not been assigned so at the earliest September 15th and I can begin growing it again just in time for MOVEMBER!

It appears I need to amend my signature again to moustache wearer 10 months out of the year!!!

I have been ref-ing high school ball now for 6 years, for the college game I only have to know the 243 rules differences... Thats gonna be fun!

Thanks all for wanting to get me a trial lawyer fund going, I really appreciate it!

Kellum