The Jester’s Quart: David Stern’s Crazy ‘Bout a Sharp-Dressed Man

Greg_Wyshynski · October 21st, 2005, 01:19 AM

Racism is fun.

Well, not being a racist. Oh, I’m sure that was a blast back in the day, when everyone was like-minded and Caucasians weren’t teetering on the brink of minority status in America. But today, all being a racist gets you is uncomfortable silence at office happy hours, and elected...
Full Article

Ishkur · October 21st, 2005, 07:01 PM

dammit, this was going to be my article. I guess I'll just add my two cents:

Why is it the youngest of the superstars--Lebron--is the only guy who gets it? He called it a "job". Which it is. It's not a hobby. These guys aren't 30-something otakus sitting in their parents basements at 3am sniping bids on Ebay in a desperate attempt to complete their Boba Fett action figure collection. They are professionals, and this is their job. When you go to work, you go in the attire that your employer demands. You represent the company, and as such must be mindful of the company's image and reputation. Do not do anything that might embarrass yourself or the company on the clock. In your own time, wear what you want. But you follow the rules of whoever signs your paycheck.

Hockey doesn't have a problem with this because it's ALWAYS had a dress code. In every league. Everywhere. I played midget rep hockey. That's community hockey for 15-16 year olds who don't plan on ever making it to the NHL.

WE had a dress code. Shirts, ties, black pants, shiny black shoes. Hair combed like we were going to a wedding/funeral. No one complained. In fact, made us feel mature and important. Coaches did it too. It's a good psychological technique, in fact, to get us to treat the game with some maturity and respect, so we didn't goof off on road trips or hotel rooms or tournaments n such. If you look professional, you act professional, you play professional.

And as far as I can remember, this is the way Canadian hockey kids have done for years. Rep teams as young as 12 dress up. We treat our national sport with such reverence and maturity.

Shane · October 21st, 2005, 07:54 PM

Great points by both of you, and I fully agree.

Ish, I as well played hockey from the time I was 6, until I was 17. From about the age of 12 on, we were required to dress up on game day. If we showed up at school, or to the game out of the dress code, we sat. Plain and simple. No one ever tested it though, because it is a huge confidence boost to don the attire. (That was in the US btw. Denver to be exact, BEFORE hockey was cool there.)

Greg_Wyshynski · October 22nd, 2005, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the comments.

As for hockey, I'd like to add that even the MEDIA has a dress code. A fellow reporter and I both starting covering NHL games this season, and we were marveling today that the beat guys wear full suits to the game. There's a big difference between that and what you see at, say, a baseball game here in DC.

Shane · October 22nd, 2005, 09:14 PM

Greg, I am sending you a PM. I have some questions.

mark_chalifoux · October 23rd, 2005, 11:37 PM

why wouldn't the media have a dress code? They are racist, remember?

October 21st, 2005, 01:19 AM	#1
Greg_Wyshynski Join Date: 06-04-2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 223	The Jester’s Quart: David Stern’s Crazy ‘Bout a Sharp-Dressed Man Racism is fun. Well, not being a racist. Oh, I’m sure that was a blast back in the day, when everyone was like-minded and Caucasians weren’t teetering on the brink of minority status in America. But today, all being a racist gets you is uncomfortable silence at office happy hours, and elected... Full Article

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

October 21st, 2005, 07:01 PM	#2
Ishkur Join Date: 12-27-2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 438	dammit, this was going to be my article. I guess I'll just add my two cents: Why is it the youngest of the superstars--Lebron--is the only guy who gets it? He called it a "job". Which it is. It's not a hobby. These guys aren't 30-something otakus sitting in their parents basements at 3am sniping bids on Ebay in a desperate attempt to complete their Boba Fett action figure collection. They are professionals, and this is their job. When you go to work, you go in the attire that your employer demands. You represent the company, and as such must be mindful of the company's image and reputation. Do not do anything that might embarrass yourself or the company on the clock. In your own time, wear what you want. But you follow the rules of whoever signs your paycheck. Hockey doesn't have a problem with this because it's ALWAYS had a dress code. In every league. Everywhere. I played midget rep hockey. That's community hockey for 15-16 year olds who don't plan on ever making it to the NHL. WE had a dress code. Shirts, ties, black pants, shiny black shoes. Hair combed like we were going to a wedding/funeral. No one complained. In fact, made us feel mature and important. Coaches did it too. It's a good psychological technique, in fact, to get us to treat the game with some maturity and respect, so we didn't goof off on road trips or hotel rooms or tournaments n such. If you look professional, you act professional, you play professional. And as far as I can remember, this is the way Canadian hockey kids have done for years. Rep teams as young as 12 dress up. We treat our national sport with such reverence and maturity.

October 21st, 2005, 07:54 PM	#3
Shane Join Date: 06-08-2003 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 6,357	Great points by both of you, and I fully agree. Ish, I as well played hockey from the time I was 6, until I was 17. From about the age of 12 on, we were required to dress up on game day. If we showed up at school, or to the game out of the dress code, we sat. Plain and simple. No one ever tested it though, because it is a huge confidence boost to don the attire. (That was in the US btw. Denver to be exact, BEFORE hockey was cool there.)

October 22nd, 2005, 09:09 PM	#4
Greg_Wyshynski Join Date: 06-04-2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 223	Thanks for the comments. As for hockey, I'd like to add that even the MEDIA has a dress code. A fellow reporter and I both starting covering NHL games this season, and we were marveling today that the beat guys wear full suits to the game. There's a big difference between that and what you see at, say, a baseball game here in DC.

October 22nd, 2005, 09:14 PM	#5
Shane Join Date: 06-08-2003 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 6,357	Greg, I am sending you a PM. I have some questions.

October 23rd, 2005, 11:37 PM	#6
mark_chalifoux Join Date: 07-02-2004 Posts: 305	why wouldn't the media have a dress code? They are racist, remember?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)