ncaa referee bert smith age

Game official Bert Smith collapsed Tuesday evening in the first half of the men's NCAA basketball game between No. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. A replacement official was added to the crew after Smith collapsed. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Turns out, it was something worse. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM. You could talk to him during a game. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. For someone like me who has been in the game for a long time, there is a certain level of expectation on the part of players, coaches and my supervisors. According to kenpom.com, the Gonzaga-USC game was the 70th matchup Smith worked this season. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KGW Im ready to get after it, he says. Fox News' Daniel Canova contributed to this report. Where did it come from? As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. Whats he doing on his back? But first, Smith had to get stretchered off the floor, something he was adamantly against. Another year passed and my father finally allowed me to become a certified referee. There are 200+ professionals named "Bert Smith", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. a thrust, a dribble, a power shot OK, so the night of March 29. Next thing he remembers, hes looking at the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. That is definitely what drives me. He said the night before the game, while running the stairs in the hotel to see his buddies or get ice, he was a little out of breath. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? I love the challenge of being in complete control of your emotions, maintaining the calmness and the challenge to make a split-second decision in front of 60,000-100,000 screaming fans and knowing you have six crewmates that have your back in the heat of the battle. Something doesnt add up. March Madness: Bert Smith diagnosed with - New York Post OK, so the night of March 29. To me, he offers an aside: Hes taking advantage of a guy in a weakened position., The doc says, Swing your legs around. I swing my legs around, and they go:Click-click-click-click. " Referee alert after collapsing on sideline during Gonzaga - ESPN.com And they found out. Knowing the rulebook and being able to execute decisions in a split-second. Smith is the college basketball official who passed out during the 2021 NCAA region final between Gonzaga and Southern California, toppling over like a fallen tree his description his body flat and unmoving, his eyes open and unseeing, a Gonzaga trainer frantically waving for help. The passion I felt when I played is still there for me when I officiate and I can feel that passion on the court. No matter who you meet, you have to deal with them as people who deserve the best from you. You also have to ensure that your mental preparation is exceptional in order to be effective. It was a scary moment as an audible thud was heard throughout Lucas Oil Stadium, and the official was taken off the court on a stretcher, though he was awake and alert. Some are destined for greatness, some for failure. The reason is Im saying to them, You tricked me, you little SOB!. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. Check this out. Bert Smith told the . It could have been a red flag, he said doctors told him, but then again "sometimes it just hits you.". We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. And how did the court get so blurry all of a sudden, like someone smeared it with Next thing he remembers, hes looking at the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. We are drawn together by a passion for officiating those outside the industry cant understand. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. After completing my doctorate, I returned to officiating. He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. And they found out. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. April 9, 2021, 9:39 AM. He runs. Do we give an extra hug enough? Everyones joking with him now. The board presents an award in his name each year to the area high school that exemplifies sportsmanship. That road includes blood thinners and a trip next week to see a nearby doctor to strategize his future treatment. I will, he says. Jacquie was waiting at the door. 6 seed USC. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. Something doesnt add up. People in the building, and I was one of them, thought he was dead. Bert Smith, Raymond Styons. So was Karter. Where did it come from? Referee Bert Smith is taken off the court on a stretcher after collapsing during the first half of an Elite 8 game between Gonzaga and Southern California during the first half of an Elite 8. Officiating for me has always been the ultimate escape. Now I have hundreds of brothers around the country. It took me a few days, he says. The referee who collapsed during Gonzaga's matchup against USC in the NCAA men's basketball tournament had a blood clot in his lung, The Indianapolis Star reported Friday. . Shes an important part of this story.. What happens next leads to a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. This article is the copyright of Referee Enterprises, Inc., and may not be republished in whole or in part online, in print or in any capacity without expressed written permission from Referee. He was surrounded by medical professionals and eventually was helped on to a stretcher. After all, he hit the court hard, so hard that it left a giant bump on the back of his head. , Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. Officiating In Perspective with Barry Mano, Amid cancer fight, NBA ref Tony Brown returning to work, Recruiting & Retention: What WorkedWhat Didnt, Next Level Softball Umpiring Free Email Series, High School Volleyball Officials Quiz 2023. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. Check this out. He works his first game at age 24. Trammel wasnt as concerned with a CT scan on his skull as she was on why he fell in the first place. Smiths pausing. Youve probably seen him. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. 6 seed University of Southern California and No. Hes incredibly fit, somewhat of a workout freak, and hes never really endured many traumatic health issuescertainly nothing like this. Do we give an extra hug enough? Market data provided by Factset. Youve probably seen him. I always say, you can question my judgment but dont question my effort. Smith is back home in Kentucky with his wife, Jacquie, and his grandson, Karter. Bert Smith, the official who collapsed during the Elite Eight, believes his fall could have saved his life. It is equivalent to flying an airplane, skydiving, skiing a black diamond, anything that heightens all your senses. Smiths also grateful that his health scare, if it was going to happen,took place during the NCAA Tournament and not when he was driving or sleeping. Everyones joking with him now. She said: I got the answer to the question. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. I continue to coach high school soccer. When I enter the field, theres more bounce in my step, my senses are heightened and my competitive juices start flowing. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. Smiths pausing. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KSDK I am also in my first year as the coordinator of officials for the NE-10 Conference, the largest Division II conference in the country. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. Smith, whod driven a rental car into town after working the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, was driven to his home in Florence, Ky., by Eric Lowe, a Central Indiana-based referee. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. What happens next leads toa picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. I love officiating because of the challenge. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Berts on the sixth floor, and hes putting on his mask to run the stairs down to the fifth floor for ice, or to run up to the eighth floor to see his buddies. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? We Shouldn't Have Watched It Twice. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. You meet talented, mediocre and middle-of-the-road people. Its deep, and its contagious. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.". I could be involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. When I became old enough to referee, in my opinion, at the ripe age of nine I told my father my intentions and he explained that I was still too young to take an entry-level class. Not one of these men or women is without the utmost class and integrity, and I hope by associating with them some of their class and integrity has rubbed off on me and made me a better person. Smith was taken off the . I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt , He said he told the doctor at the time, "You little SOB, you tricked me!. Hell just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes theyll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. Yeah man, you were staggering like you were fighting Ali., You were asking Mark Few for a job application because you were on his bench., Next thing you know, you were back in the ring again with Ali and you went down like a tree in a forest!. or redistributed. Referee Bert Smith was taken off the court on a stretcher after collapsing to the court during the first half of the NCAA men's tournament Elite Eight matchup between USC and Gonzaga on Tuesday. Thats his wife of 33 years. Having good presence, working with pride, acting professional and enjoying the challenge of the job is what I love most about officiating hockey. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. I am blessed that I have been able to enjoy two passions and carry on the Aldrich Hoop Family tradition. Just 4 minutes after tipoff in the Elite Eight matchup, Bert Smith crashed to the floor in a terrifying scene -- triggering team trainers and other medical personnel to race to his aid. I didnt miss a game that season, because working the games was my therapy. Why cant he catch his breath? I know his wife is going to be going bananas. It was fun and stress-free officiating, and I was able to help pay for college. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. 2 Alabama erases 17-point deficit, wins SEC, All in the family: how three generations of Jaquezes have ruled West Coast basketball. Referee Bert Smith got to hear ovation of a lifetime. I hear (other officials) say, I do it for the kids. Im not disagreeing with them when they say that and I enjoy being around the kids too, but theres a hundred other things I could do if I was doing it for the kids. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. Update provided on status of referee Bert Smith following collapse Off the court, doctors checked his vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, etc. Whats he doing on his back? Written By. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. According to the Indianapolis Star, Smith was placed on blood thinners and two days later the clot was gone. She said: I got the answer to the question. All rights reserved. There are 96 NCAA referees all waiting for the same thing those 68 teams are waiting for. It puts in perspective the value of each day, because we all go through our lives were all guilty of it and we just live, right? collapsed on national television during Gonzagas eventual win over USC. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. If you saw it, you understand. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. View the profiles of professionals named "Bert Smith" on LinkedIn. Presently I officiate in nine D-I conferences. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. There were ones from coaches, ones from colleagues, ones from family, one even from an NFL official hed never met. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. It goes: You scored, Billy Just over four minutes into the game between USC and Gonzaga, Bert . Thats 1990. but never had a chance. Once hospitalizedat first, he didnt even plan to godoctors discovered a troubling issue: a blood clot in his lungs. It is my release. I get to watch the Masters.. Thats 1990. I ran and grabbed his phone, and he checked his phone and within the first hour, he had 250 texts, and a lot of them from fellow referees. Hes been friends with Smith for 30 years. Ncaa Referee Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images My dad always said, You do not always win, but you can always be a good sport and, You should conduct yourself on the court, the way you would conduct yourself in life. In addition, I have two brothers and a sister who were also officials we were known as the Aldrich Hoop Family.. Smith told the Indianapolis Star's Gregg Doyel he doesn't remember falling and hasn't seen a replay, but what doctors found that night could have been life-saving. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all the cookies. View. Might as well walk fast, too. Given time that night on March 30, those around SmithNCAA doctors, his wife and colleaguesthought it best if he at least visited IU Methodist Hotel in Indianapolis to check his head and spine. Read More Referee Bert Smith collapses on the court during the first half of an Elite 8 game between Gonzaga and Southern California during the first half of an Elite 8 game in the NCAA men's . He was officiating the Elite Eight matchup last month in Indianapolis when he suddenly collapsed near the Gonzaga bench. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes,they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. The passion and emotion of the contestants can never sway the judgment of the crew. Heres why: The doctor said, Listen, tell you what, why dont you just sit on the stretcher? I said OK, I can do that, Smith says and now hes laughing. Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - WCNC-TV Scary moment Gonzaga-USC referee Bert Smith COLLAPSES on court during Referee data is available for the 1988-89 through 2022-23 seasons. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. Add to that the extreme climate conditions that officials encounter and you quickly understand the importance of physical conditioning for officials. Then he becomes a basketball official. The scary scene unfolded with 15:44 to play in the. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. He mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. All rights reserved. Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. Youre going to get on one side, hes going to get on the other, were going to wave to the fans, and Im walking out of here.. Official Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the game, immediately being carried away in a stretcher. Check this out.. 2023 www.indystar.com. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? Moves fast, this guy. The clot restricted enough oxygen to Smith that he passed out during the game. Thats his wife of 33 years. Smith is one of the longest tenured and most respected officials in college hoops. Oh, and hes also been returning those messages. By 1993hes an NCAA Division I official. Shes an important part of this story.. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Smiths pausing. Smith was put on blood thinners and discharged two days later with the clot gone. Smith trains year round on a treadmill or stationary bike, and gets in other workouts like when the family goes to Disney World in Florida and Smith says they dont need a stroller for their grandson, Karter. We get him off the floor out of sight and he just loses it, Fox recalls. Berts on the sixth floor, and hes putting on his mask to run the stairs down to the fifth floor for ice, or to run up to the eighth floor to see his buddies. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Bert Smith does. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. After college, I had the great privilege of joining his football crew and kick-starting my own football officiating career. Todays game is so fast and the players have such a high skill set that its very important to be in the best possible position to judge a play and make a call. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. Their goalie tried leaping to his left NCAA Elite Eight match halted as referee Bert Smith collapses Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. I joined a rec team and Mike spent hours showing me how to play. No, he said hed walk off under assistance. Jacquie was waiting at the door. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. We enjoyed working four football seasons together before his retirement. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. As you looked toward my approval That was one of the few times I remember getting in trouble with my father for kicking his car door as hard as my little legs could out of anger. Further examination revealed Smith, 56, had a blood clot in his lung, the Indianapolis St Youre going to get on one side, hes going to get on the other, were going to wave to the fans, and Im walking out of here.. Do you know you went viral? she playfully asked. You are expected to be perfect and improve after that. Being part of the game is a big reason. NCAA Tournament Basketball Referee Bert Smith suffered a scary collapse during the 2022 NCAA March Madness Tournament Gonzaga vs. USC basketball game.I bre. Smith, who'ddriven a rental car into town after working the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, was driven to his home in Florence, Ky., by Eric Lowe, a Central Indiana-based referee. Its not some routine youre doing day in and day out. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. You could talk to him during a game. The problems of the world do not exist when I am working a game. He gets exercise any time he can and officiates around 90 games a year for the NCAA. Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KARE Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? I just cannot erase the pleasure from my face. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? Thats 1990. He said he'll be back officiating next season. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. Whats that for? I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife. Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash - Yahoo! Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? Dr. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Players on both teams returned to their benches. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Look at those crossed arms. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Knowing how to communicate with players, coaches and officials when the game is on the line requires great skill and finesse. I'm committed to it year round. ", NCAA tourney ref who collapsed had blood clot, From bubble struggles to NCAA seed improvement, why these final weekend games matter, Davis 3 shy of Maravich; Detroit eyes CBI bid, Son: Maravich would be 'cheering on' Davis, Vandy's Robbins out rest of season with leg injury, Sources: High Point fires Smith after one season, Davis out as Bucknell coach after 12-20 season, Grill discloses mental illness after Iowa St. exit, No. Trammel was at Methodist the night of March 30. His crew comes back to Le Meridien with a doggy bag of the dinner he missed at the game, and theyre talking and laughing, but theyve seen replays of Smiths fall. Later during the broadcast, they announced he was feeling OK and resting in the arena. 1 . Brett Smith, an NCAA college basketball referee, collapsed during a game. And they found out. The NCAA even distributed a statement announcing the news: Smith was O.K. You cant get any closer to the ballgame. "It puts in perspective the value of each day, because we all go through our lives -- we're all guilty of it -- and we just live, right?" NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. He works his first game at age 24. Oh, Ill be back. Even though at this point in my career I have the experience and acceptance, there is still that constant challenge from one game to the next because you never know what is going to happen every time you step on the ice.

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