ncaa referee bert smith age

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. I have known that I wanted to referee long before I owned my first whistle. OK, so the night of March 29. Shes an important part of this story.. So was Karter. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. Smith, who became an NCAA Division I official in 1993, said he remembers the play preceding the fall. My love of officiating started when I was very young five to six years old. 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. It could have been a red flag, he said doctors told him, but then again "sometimes it just hits you.". Smith is one of the longest tenured and most respected officials in college hoops. In a scary moment, Smith passed out cold during a recent Elite Eight game. 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. He said the fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. They released him to return to his hotel. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. 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. He was surrounded by medical professionals and eventually was helped on to a stretcher. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? It goes: You scored, Billy Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. Might as well walk fast, too. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. a thrust, a dribble, a power shot NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. Smiths pausing. 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. Check this out.. I joined a rec team and Mike spent hours showing me how to play. Next thing he remembers, hes looking at the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. But slow down, OK? 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. My colleagues and I have strong personalities with how were wired so being able to do a job that you know youre in a select company of people is very rewarding. "You don't know where that clot was going next," Smith told the Star's Gregg Doyel. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. 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. Also he mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. Look at his scowl. You could talk to him during a game. Referee Bert Smith's fall in men's NCAA Tournament game didn't kill him. 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. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Where did it come from? Add to that the fact that we actually get paid to exercise, and I cant think of a better way to spend a spring afternoon than on a lacrosse field! You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. So was Karter. you knew we kicked it in together. I am blessed that I have been able to enjoy two passions and carry on the Aldrich Hoop Family tradition. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of that and hasnt seen a replay of his fall, though he says hes almost ready to watch. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. 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. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. The scary scene unfolded with 15:44 to play in the. There were no signs in the preceding days of this happening, even when he was running up and down three flights of stairs, with a mask, the day before. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day. Check this out. 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. What happens next leads to a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. Where did it come from? "But do we say 'I love you' enough? He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. I came off the field and I was so pumped up. We won't send you spam. Here's where I'mtell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. Your heart begins to race, the adrenaline begins to run rampant throughout your body, the excitement takes over as you look around the stadium; you take a couple of deep breaths and then everything becomes so clear. Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? He started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and. Everything was normal. Do you know you went viral? she playfully asked. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. My uniforms were enormous, and I stepped on my flag but I felt as big as the world! See Bert Smith? He rarely uses the elevator. All rights reserved. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. Referee Bert Smith collapses on sideline during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight game (NCD) By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk March 30, 2021 at 8:58 pm CDT 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. that carried high into the net. 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. If youve ever experienced a buzzer-beater, thats what Im talking about. collapsed on national television during Gonzagas eventual win over USC. Youve probably seen him. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. 29/08/21, Germany (unknown age) Unnamed Germany C-League Dillenburg a player from Hirzenhain collapses, game . Being able to participate and watch these young men and women playing the game because they have that desire to play is a joy to me that you cannot experience through a TV or on the sidelines. 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. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. A referee has collapsed on court during the opening stages of an NCAA Elite Eight basketball match in Indiana. Moves fast, this guy. It allows me the privilege to do something I love, being part of the greatest game, mens college basketball. The challenges of officiating are a great motivation and fun you gotta love it! Smith was put on blood thinners and discharged two days later with the clot gone. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. It saved his life. I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. Since I'm involved in an athletic contest I want to be able to participate to the full, and working out, proper nutrition and recovery allow me to be able to keep up with the players and game. Its the best seat in the house. 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. Michael Conroy/AP. Hes a motivational speaker anddiversity recruiterin addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. Look at that picture again. 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. Something doesnt add up. Trammel wasnt as concerned with a CT scan on his skull as she was on why he fell in the first place. The reasons for our joy when we step on the field, court or ice are vast and every reason is forged in the fire of our individual experiences. You have to be in excellent physical condition in order to be in the correct position to rule on plays. Medical personnel at Lucas Oil Stadium treated Smith, who later went to a local hospital. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. Look at that picture again. I want to know why you fell. She checked a few things out, came back in and took me through the car wash. Just a lot of tests. Fox News Flash top headlines for April 10. 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. Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash Sports A Referee Collapsed at an NCAA Basketball Game. Smith is back home in Kentucky with his wife, Jacquie, and his grandson, Karter. He goes to IU Health Methodist. Why cant he catch his breath? Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. Bert Smith does. Theres video of me with my arms crossed on the stretcher, he says. Bert Smith told the . 6 seed University of Southern California and No. Im letting the paint dry.. a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. He mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. 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. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. Smith told the publication. I get to watch the Masters.. 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 released after two days in the hospital. ", BAYLOR BEATS GONZAGA FOR FIRST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. Eades, who at age 56 has worked three Final Fours and. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. The Big League College World Series (last August in Kalamazoo, Mich.) was probably the most fun Ive had on a ball field. Medical personnel and other staffers rushed toward him. Later during the broadcast, they announced he was feeling OK and resting in the arena. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM. Thats 1990. There was an error submitting your subscription. Heres where Im tell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. There were ones from coaches, ones from colleagues, ones from family, one even from an NFL official hed never met. They poured into Smiths phone after he collapsed on national television during Gonzagas eventual win over USC in a mens Elite Eight game on March 30. So when I went off to college I had to work and was asked what I might enjoy doing, I said, Sports. I was hired on the intramural staff and was paid $3 an hour to officiate co-ed flag football, womens basketball and co-ed softball. A replacement official was added to the crew after Smith collapsed. . I lost it, too. Now I have hundreds of brothers around the country. 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. It is my release. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Veteran college basketball referee Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the first half of Tuesday night's Elite Eight game between No. He gets exercise any time he can and officiates around 90 games a year for the NCAA. Legal Statement. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. CBS provided an update on the medical status of referee Bert Smith following his collapse on the court Tuesday. 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. " Bert Smith, an official assigned to work the Gonzaga-Southern California regional final, left tonight's game after a medical issue ," the NCAA said in a statement. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. Then he becomes a basketball official. The board presents an award in his name each year to the area high school that exemplifies sportsmanship. There is no better feeling then walking back into the locker room with your partners and knowing that we worked together as a team and that we gave everything we had for those 48 minutes. Over the next seven years, Mike rose to become a star for both his high school and college teams, my dad became a coach and my love for the game was cemented. 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. When I enter the field, theres more bounce in my step, my senses are heightened and my competitive juices start flowing. Its energizing and refreshing to have that kind of focus on something. Might as well walk fast, too. He works his first game at age 24. Trammel had seen the video. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith lies on the court after collapsing during the Gonzaga-USC men's game in the Elite Eight. Youve probably seen him. I have to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally. 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. Im ready to get after it, he says. CNN . 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. 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. Official Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the game, immediately being carried away in a stretcher. Written By. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. 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.. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. Video shows Cowboys Prescott taking snaps, moving well, Thamel: Millers firing tells truth about coaching in NCAA, Former Florida State, Giants WR arrested on murder charges, Rapinoe blasts Warriors Green for takes on womens sports, abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game, Smith told the Indianapolis Star's Gregg Doyel, later in the night that Smith was "alert and stable. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. NCAA Tournament Basketball Referee Bert Smith suffered a scary collapse during the 2022 NCAA March Madness Tournament Gonzaga vs. USC basketball game.I bre. They were pretty intense, man. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. 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. Just over four minutes into the game between USC and Gonzaga, Bert . Devika Pawar. Smith collapsed just over four minutes into the Elite Eight game between USC. Nobody can say. Its a good week to be getting sympathy from the wife, he says, chuckling. Being mentally ready for the game is most important. The clot restricted enough oxygen to Smith that he passed out during the game. but never had a chance. Per the Star, he was treated at the stadium for two hours with vital checks on pulse, blood pressure and oxygen level that came back normal. Bert Smith does. Mar 31st, 2021. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. By 1993, hes an NCAA Division I official. Here's where I'mtelling him about thatpicture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. Legal Statement. Having to make those decisions in a split second is a challenge I enjoy. There is no other avocation that I can think of that requires the level of physical and mental preparation that officiating mandates, and you have to dedicate yourself in order to be successful. 1 overall seed Gonzaga Bulldogs remained undefeated and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament with a dominant 85-66 win over USC on Tuesday . He goes to IU Health Methodist. We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. 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 . You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. I do it because I love the ballgame. Smith's fall to the ground. For now, hes at his home in Florence, Ky., just outside of Cincinnati, relaxing and watching the Masters golf tournament while medicating an ailment that, if not caught after that fall, could have eventually been much worse. The former NCAA national mens basketball officiating coordinator, John Adams, says Bert is funny but quiet, not a me-first guy. Adams was one of the 500 who reached out to Smith. I literally grew up watching my dad, Glen, work a seemingly endless number of football and basketball games. I look for officials I assign to have the same respect and values for the game as I do. And how did the court get so blurry all of a sudden, like someone smeared it with. Players on both teams returned to their benches. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. View. 6 seed USC at Lucas Oil Stadium in . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. No one knows where the clot came from, per the Star. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. There were 500 of them. ", 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. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. Bert Smith does. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.". When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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!. 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 . Subscribe to get the Referee.com Review every week plus periodic free training and special offers on the sports you officiate. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. Earlier: Tonight's Elite Eight game between Gonzaga and USC was stopped momentarily after veteran referee Bert Smith collapsed on the court. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? 2023 www.indystar.com. 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. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. Over the years Ive been blessed with so many highlights but have found a simple phrase that sums it all up: Special Soccer Moments, derived from the poem June Goal, written by my Dad in 1976. Copyright 2022 Referee Enterprises Inc. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Follow every game: Latest NCAA Men's College Basketball Scores and Schedules. Oh, Ill be back. Referee Bert Smith is taken off the court on a stretcher after collapsing during the first half of an Elite Eight game between Gonzaga and USC during the first half of an Elite 8 game in the NCAA . Thats 1990. OK, so the night of March 29. 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. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. The final clip in this video compilation shows Bert Smith as he collapsed during a March Madness game in April 2021. "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?" This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He runs. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. Jacquie was waiting at the door. It is equivalent to flying an airplane, skydiving, skiing a black diamond, anything that heightens all your senses. So was Karter. Whats he doing on his back? You cant get any closer to the ballgame. Areyougoing to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? There are 96 NCAA referees all waiting for the same thing those 68 teams are waiting for. It kept me going.. 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. Within seconds, theyd strapped the seated Smith onto it. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? Dr. 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. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. Why cant he catch his breath? I didnt miss a game that season, because working the games was my therapy. . Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Dr. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. When he arrived, in walked Katie M. Trammel, the physician who, in many ways, may have saved his life. Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? 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 . They were supposed to just check my head and spine for a concussion (he didnt have one, by the way), says Smith. The challenges are different for each level of refereeing and the emotional payoffs vary, but the reason for being in the game is the same: Passion for soccer runs through my veins. If you saw it, you understand. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? 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.

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