Friday, July 14, 2006
As an official, I always wanted to be prepared for the inevitable breakdown of equipment. Normally I carried a change of clothing, extra whistle, etc., just in case.
The night I learned just how important bringing a change was, Chuck was his normal very intense self. As he twisted and turned on the bench, egging his wrestlers on, he was also "helping" me get the calls correct. Apparently, this evening, I wasn't getting it right in Chuck's mind.
As the night wore on, I noticed a bit of a draft coming from my backside. I had a huge rip in the seat of my black officiating pants. I discovered in my haste to leave for the match that I had forgotten my spare pants. Chuck met me at the side of the mat and said, "Come on Digger (he called me Digger for my work at the mortuary...I don't know if he knew my real name), I have a pair in the office." Oh, man, I didn't want to go in there with him. but had no choice.
We walked in and he closed the door behind us and proceeded in his way to tell me how I could do a better job. That was the quickest I have ever changed clothes in my life.
Lesson learned, never forget your spare equipment.
Dick "Digger" Dexter...area wrestling official
