Refs, We have a discussion in the coaches' forum about USSF licensing for coaches and how there seems to be a bias on who is promoted through the ranks. Is there a similar thing when one goes up the grades for reffing? Is bias more pronounced in certain states than others? I topped out at Grade 7, so I can't really comment on this.
I'm not sure what you mean exactly, but I do think there are both biases and differences from state to state.
Getting promotion on things characteristics beyond your quality as a ref. Political reasons or others non-merit-based reasons.
"Typecasting" is an interesting term. At least at the highest levels, soccer is show business, supported by paying fans. The referee is a cast member and an on-stage director. For actors and politicians, looks count. So does charisma. It would be no surprise if tall, thin, handsome referees with snappy confidence were preferred. - QC
Sandra Sarafini made a statement at the RTS last spring. To paraphrase, "Referees need to look more like the players than the assessors," or something to that effect.
This makes sense. I think it's applied selectively, but you have better credibility from the off when you look fit.
I don't see a lot of that kind of stuff, but I do know it happens in other states that, if the SRA doesn't like you, you won't get the opportunities you need to upgrade. For me, I want people to upgrade and am happy to get upgrade applications. I also have to say, though, that the higher you go, the more often referees wreck their careers over stuff off the field. I'm talking about things like trying to play one assignor off against another, not showing up for meetings that really are mandatory, doing youth games in the morning when you have a pro assignment in the evening, turning back games at the last minute, etc.
Compare refs now that get big games. Howard Webb? Is he really that good? Yes perception is a part of the game. Even in the NFL you don't see many milquetoast refs. Ed Hochuli comes to mind, although he seemed like a good ref. In coaching circles, your pedigree seems to matter more than it should what you actually bring to the table to get your licenses and advance.