ncaa referee bert smith age

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. Every offseason lasts too long and a week off of the field makes me feel rusty. Its deep, and its contagious. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. 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. Refereeing soccer is more than a hobby or a job; it is my passion and it is ingrained in me so deeply that it is a part of me. the college basketball official who passed out during themen's NCAA Tournamentregional final between Gonzaga and Southern California, Latest NCAA Men's College Basketball Scores and Schedules, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Something doesnt add up. 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. 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 game . 1 seed Gonzaga and No. She said: I got the answer to the question. I will, he says. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. 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. The minute my stripes are on, Im a part of a crew not an official with a disability. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. 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. but never had a chance. Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash Sports A Referee Collapsed at an NCAA Basketball Game. Trammel was at Methodist the night of March 30. As soon as I arrive and begin preparing for the game, my day, my life, enters a new and exciting realm. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. I still play in a mens league, have refereed more than 700 NCAA games and am in my 17th season as an MLS official. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. I love being part of the game. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Bert Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life. Bert Smith . If youve ever experienced a buzzer-beater, thats what Im talking about. Bert Smith: Blood clot caused NCAA tournament ref collapse - Sports She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. Referee Bert Smith collapses during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight game - FanSided You are expected to be perfect and improve after that. This was evident five years ago when my mother died in September and my father died in October during the football season. Everyones joking with him now. You have to be in excellent physical condition in order to be in the correct position to rule on plays. You never know whats going to happen. He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Smith says the fall and subsequent battery of testing was a life-saving ordeal. 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. People in the building, and I was one of them, thought he was dead. that carried high into the net. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. 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. Its because I was telling the doctor: You little SOB, you tricked me!. After the game, Gonzaga coach Mark Few said he had walked over to Smith to offer his support as Smith was being placed on the stretcher. He's grumpy in the now-famous photo of him on it and told Doyel he was tricked. It would've been about NCAA basketball official Bert Smith, how he'd been used dishonestly as a pawn by the anti-vaccine movement to prove the unprovable: that COVID vaccines were causing. 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. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. 200+ "Bert Smith" profiles | LinkedIn These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Bert Smith was involved in a controversial ending to a Kansas and Iowa State game that led to the Big 12 Conference punishing Smith for a call that cost the Cyclones a win against the Jayhawks. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. It would've been about NCAA basketball official Bert Smith, how he'd been used dishonestly as a pawn by the anti-vaccine movement to prove the unprovable: that COVID vaccines were causing. 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. And they found out. They strapped me in! 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. By Bert Smith, NCAA D-I men's basketball official from Florence, Ky. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. When he arrived, in walked Katie M. Trammel, the physician who, in many ways, may have saved his life. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Jacquie was waiting at the door. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all the cookies. Presently I officiate in nine D-I conferences. I realized, even back then, how fun and rewarding each officiating experience was for the crew. I came off the field and I was so pumped up. 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. Well, says one of the doctors, at least sit on the stretcher. Do we give an extra hug enough? See Bert Smith? They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. And they heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. Do we give an extra hug enough? Look at his scowl. NCAA ref Bert Smith says on-court collapse saved his life - Yahoo! Why cant he catch his breath? 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 game . We won't send you spam. Here's where I'mtelling him about thatpicture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. Smith, have a good night, I thought they had done a good job, he says, but because she wanted to know why I fell, we got the answer. 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. Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Being able to handle situations that arise separates the average official from the capable arbiter. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. Medical officials tending to him on the floor insisted he be transported off the floor by the stretcher. A pulmonary embolism. Smith was put on blood thinners and discharged two days later with the clot gone. You could talk to him during a game. Trammel wasnt as concerned with a CT scan on his skull as she was on why he fell in the first place. Smith does remember the play before it, Gonzagas Andrew Nembhard stealing the ball and going the other way, but now the action is coming back toward the USC basket, where Smith had remained hed been unable to run the court as Nembhard finished at the rim and Smith is wondering whats going on. He goes to IU Health Methodist. REFEREE Bert Smith collapsed during the first half of the USC - Gonzaga game during the Elite Eight of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Success! Official collapses during NCAA basketball game | The Hill Referee OK after collapsing on sideline during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. She said: I got the answer to the question. He goes to IU Health Methodist. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes,they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. collapsed on national television during Gonzagas eventual win over USC. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Look at those crossed arms. NCAA Tournament official Bert Smith collapses during Elite Eight game After college, I had the great privilege of joining his football crew and kick-starting my own football officiating career. I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Trammel was at Methodist the night of March 30. Moves fast? Thats his wife of 33 years. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? I'm committed to it year round. Moves fast, this guy. Now he wonders. I want to know why you fell. She checked a few things out, came back inand took me through the car wash. Just a lot of tests. Theres no room in your head for thinking about cutting the grass, what you need from the store or how you have to finish your taxes. He rarely uses the elevator. NCAA Tournament referee Bert Smith collapse during game saved his life I love the smell of the grass when you first walk out on the field when you get to the stadium. Nobody can say. The article is made available for educational use by individuals. They were pretty intense, man. College Basketball: NCAA Referees Have Their Own Selection Sunday Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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 game . 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!. March Madness: Bert Smith diagnosed with - New York Post Every chance I get, I want to get my heart rate up, says Smith, 56, who takes the court 90 times a year with elite NCAA athletes. The unnecessary replay of Bert. Its because I was telling the doctor: You little SOB, you tricked me!. Market data provided by Factset. OK, so the night of March 29. Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KHOU Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. Knowing the rulebook and being able to execute decisions in a split-second. 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.. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. He mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. Its not some routine youre doing day in and day out. When I am out on the field working a game I am mentally and physically completely focused on doing the job right. Smith is one of the longest tenured and most respected officials in college hoops. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. Bert Smith NCAA men's basketball official, 27th season My fitness is important to me. Bert Smith, the NCAA official who fainted during an Elite Eight matchup between Gonzaga and USC last week, said Friday he collapsed over a blood clot in his lung. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. Hes huffing-and-puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. Hes huffing and puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. Replay Of Referee Bert Smith Collapsing Swift Highlights 22.9K subscribers Subscribe 393 Share 158K views 1 year ago Replay Of Referee Collapsing Basketball Official Collapses Show more Show. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. What I mean is that we are the upholders of the integrity of the game. Moves fast? Whats he doing on his back? Now he wonders. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. NCAA Officials Share Fitness Regimens - Referee.com We make mistakes but we make them with the honest attempt to be right 100 percent of the time; I like being held to that high standard. Two hours later, she returned into the room with the test results. The NCAA even distributed a statement announcing the news: Smith was O.K. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. All rights reserved. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. 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. It has helped me to handle stressful situations and taught me how to remain calm in the midst of the storms of life. Bert Smith. March Madness referee Bert Smith collapses during USC-Gonzaga 2 Alabama erases 17-point deficit, wins SEC, All in the family: how three generations of Jaquezes have ruled West Coast basketball. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Hospitalized with a blood clot. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. Every chance I get, I want to get my heart rate up, says Smith, 56, who takes the court 90 times a year with elite NCAA athletes. I love officiating because of the challenge. Now he wonders. Trammel was at Methodistthe night of March 30. 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 game . 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. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. The challenges of officiating are a great motivation and fun you gotta love it! Why I love officiating can be simply put as it has given me the opportunity to work with and be associated with some of the finest individuals that walk the face of this earth. There is no greater place to be than on a softball or baseball field. . He rarely uses the elevator. He later regained consciousness and was stretchered off the . Look at that picture again. Its energizing and refreshing to have that kind of focus on something. Jacquie was waiting at the door. Smith was admitted into Methodist and put on blood thinners. He works his first game at age 24. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. Thats normal to huff and puff, right? He rarely uses the elevator. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. I love officiating because it has a Zen aspect to it: for those two hours, you are completely focused on the task at hand. Jacquie was waiting at the door. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. Its deep, and its contagious. He told the Star he's happy it happened during the Elite Eight when he could get the right help he needed rather than during an instance when he was driving or sleeping. Smith, who became an NCAA Division I official in 1993, said he remembers the play preceding the fall. Where did it come from? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Areyougoing to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? They strapped me in! 6 seed USC. According to the Indianapolis Star, Smith was placed on blood thinners and two days later the clot was gone. He was officiating the Elite Eight matchup last month in Indianapolis when he suddenly collapsed near the Gonzaga bench. Smith was admitted into Methodist and put on blood thinners. I could be involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. We are drawn together by a passion for officiating those outside the industry cant understand. NCAA ref Bert Smith says on-court collapse saved his life - Yahoo! Hes incredibly fit, somewhat of a workout freak, and hes never really endured many traumatic health issuescertainly nothing like this. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. Moves fast? He runs. Officiating for me has always been the ultimate escape. Off the court, doctors checked his vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, etc. Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused his fall at NCAA men He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. 2021 ACC men's basketball tournament - Wikipedia Might as well walk fast, too. As a child, I know that I enjoyed every minute of it. Do we give an extra hug enough? Usually I will leave the venue with a different outlook. Also he mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. Check this out. Their goalie tried leaping to his left Written By. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. Its hard for me to talk about now. Official collapses during NCAA tournament, wheeled off court on A replacement official was added to the crew after Smith collapsed. 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!. And after it happens, with a replacement official stepping in for Smith, he spends two hours getting treatment at the stadium, where his vitals are normal pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level and he doesnt have a headache. The whole thing is mysterious, because hes a sculpture of a man, 6-3 and 195 pounds. Note: This article is archival in nature. Managing a game and ensuring equity in your rulings between two talented, highly motivated teams is a great challenge. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? Nobody can say. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? Read More Referee Bert Smith collapses on the court during the first half of an Elite 8 game between Gonzaga and Southern California in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Lucas Oil . He said he'll be back officiating next season. When I enter the field, theres more bounce in my step, my senses are heightened and my competitive juices start flowing. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. Bert Smith told the . Game official Bert Smith collapsed Tuesday evening in the first half of the men's NCAA basketball game between No.