Everyones joking with him now.
, Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. After that he studies business administration at SUNY-Buffalo, gets a job at Avis Budget Group, moves fast up the ranks as his career takes him to Chicago, Houston and finally the Cincinnati area. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. 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. Its hard for me to talk about now. 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. Smith, who'ddriven a rental car into town after working the Atlantic-10 Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, was driven to his home in Florence, Kentucky, by Eric Lowe, a Central Indiana-based referee. He was officiating the Elite Eight matchup last month in Indianapolis when he suddenly collapsed near the Gonzaga bench. Trammel was at Methodistthe night of March 30. 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.. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. . A scary moment interrupted the Elite Eight on Tuesday, as NCAA official Bert Smith abruptly collapsed during a game between No. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". That says something about that officiating fraternity.. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. You have to be in excellent physical condition in order to be in the correct position to rule on plays. 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!. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith lies on the court after collapsing during the Gonzaga-USC men's game in the Elite Eight. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. Being mentally ready for the game is most important. Smith, who became an NCAA Division I official in 1993, said he remembers the play preceding the fall. You could talk to him during a game. The reason is Im saying to them, You tricked me, you little SOB!. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of that and hasnt seen a replay of his fall, though he says hes almost ready to watch. Everyones joking with him now. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. Where did it come from? 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. Something doesnt add up. 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. Soccer has enriched my life ever since that fateful day in 1973 when my brother came home and said he made the high school soccer team. I love the smell of the grass when you first walk out on the field when you get to the stadium. 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. She said: I got the answer to the question. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, That was the start of my passion for officiating basketball. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? 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. Each week, Id tag along with dad and his crew to whatever game they had scheduled. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. 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. Look at those crossed arms. 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. She said: I got the answer to the question. 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 . Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them.
As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. Its deep, and its contagious. Smith was put on blood thinners and discharged two days later with the clot gone.
Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with Which Men's College Basketball Programs Should We Keep an Eye Out for Next Season? Success! Might as well walk fast, too. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. He doesnt remember passing out, only that things got foggy, he says, and that his breathing didnt feel normal. "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?" After that he studies business administration at SUNY-Buffalo, gets a job at Avis Budget Group, moves fast up the ranks as his career takes him to Chicago, Houston and finally the Cincinnati area. People in the building, and I was one of them, thought he was dead. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? I love officiating because of the challenge. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Every offseason lasts too long and a week off of the field makes me feel rusty. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. See Bert Smith? Smiths pausing. 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. Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? 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. 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. The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again.
Bad news for ACC basketball: One of the sport's best referees is The 2021 ACC men's basketball tournament (officially the 2021 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Presented by New York Life) was the postseason men's basketball tournament for the Atlantic Coast Conference and held at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, from March 9 to 13, 2021. I was seven years old and wanted to learn everything he learned each day when he got home from practice. If you saw it, you understand. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Eades, who at age 56 has worked three Final Fours and.
March Madness: NCAA Ref Collapses During Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight Game 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. 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. Shes an important part of this story.. Check this out. Smith said, in a way, he was grateful the fall happened during the tournament and not when he was driving. And when next season arrives, you can expect to find Bert Smith on the hardwood. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. I am blessed that I have been able to enjoy two passions and carry on the Aldrich Hoop Family tradition. He runs. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. 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? The challenges of officiating are a great motivation and fun you gotta love it! 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. 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! The NCAA announced later in the night that Smith was "alert and stable" and would not be transported to a hospital. Active referees are listed in bold. Smith revealed in a lengthy interview with the Indianapolis Star the fall may have saved him. Soccer was now firmly in my blood and forever would help mold and shape me. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. Having to make those decisions in a split second is a challenge I enjoy. You meet talented, mediocre and middle-of-the-road people. But slow down, OK? They were supposed to just check my head and spine for a concussion (he didnt have one, by the way), says Smith. I look for officials I assign to have the same respect and values for the game as I do. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. Mar 31st, 2021. They strapped me in! As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. It saved his life. But slow down, OK? As soon as I arrive and begin preparing for the game, my day, my life, enters a new and exciting realm. You never know whats going to happen. 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. 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 . " 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. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes,they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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.
NCAA Elite Eight match halted as referee Bert Smith collapses Thats around the time he spilled onto the hardwood, awaking to a semicircle of people surrounding him. 6 seed USC. Thats 1990. He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. Knowing how to communicate with players, coaches and officials when the game is on the line requires great skill and finesse. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. When I enter the field, theres more bounce in my step, my senses are heightened and my competitive juices start flowing. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. He's grumpy in the now-famous photo of him on it and told Doyel he was tricked. 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. Hes got a wife, Jacquie, of 32 years, two daughters and two more grandchildren. Please try again. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 6 seed USC at Lucas Oil Stadium in . 56-year-old Smith was officiating the Gonzaga vs. USC matchup on March 30 when he collapsed to the hardwood a few minutes into the game. Moves fast, this guy. All rights reserved. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It has helped me to handle stressful situations and taught me how to remain calm in the midst of the storms of life. She said: I got the answer to the question. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure.
Referee collapses during USC-Gonzaga Elite Eight matchup - ABC7 Los Angeles 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. So was Karter. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. Whats that for? I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. Turns out, it was something worse. 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. Add to that the extreme climate conditions that officials encounter and you quickly understand the importance of physical conditioning for officials. 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. Follow every game: Latest NCAA Men's College Basketball Scores and Schedules. Medical officials tending to him on the floor insisted he be transported off the floor by the stretcher. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all.
2021 ACC men's basketball tournament - Wikipedia Whats he doing on his back? 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. The Big League College World Series (last August in Kalamazoo, Mich.) was probably the most fun Ive had on a ball field. According to kenpom.com, the Gonzaga-USC game was the 70th matchup Smith worked this season. Bert Smith does. Do we give an extra hug enough? 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.
he told the newspaper. Now Bert Smith is laughing again.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KVUE Trammel was at Methodist the night of March 30. Well, says one of the doctors, at least sit on the stretcher. Its a wonderful place to be. And they found out. 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 . Gaining the best sight line on the ice requires officials to be strong skaters, agile and physically fit. It took me a few days, he says. Now Bert Smith is laughing 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.
Official collapses during NCAA men's tournament game When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. That's where he learned his scary fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. So was Karter. The passion and emotion of the contestants can never sway the judgment of the crew. 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. " Bert is alert and stable and will not be transported to a hospital. Something doesnt add up. Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? 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. I didnt miss a game that season, because working the games was my therapy. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out.
Referee alert after collapsing on sideline during Gonzaga - ESPN.com 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. 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!. I have to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally. 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. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. And they found out. Written By. A few hours later, his officiating friends joined him at the hotel and suggested he go to the hospital to be evaluated for a concussion, just in case. 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. Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. He rarely uses the elevator. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. As a note, the first four are crew chiefs in any list. 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. My love of officiating started when I was very young five to six years old. Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Bert Smith, Raymond Styons. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. See Bert Smith? 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. 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. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? Referee Bert Smith said he was 'tricked' into getting on the stretcher after his collapse . by Joseph Choi - 03/30/21 9:28 PM ET. [1] It was the 68th annual edition of the tournament. What happens next leads to a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. "You don't know where that clot was going next," Smith told the Star's Gregg Doyel.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KSDK He works his first game at age 24. 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!. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Bert Smith .
College Basketball: NCAA Referees Have Their Own Selection Sunday 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. By age 11, I was organizing all the neighborhood kids in pick up games and by age 14, I got certified to referee and started coaching. Look at that picture again. Referee data is available for the 1988-89 through 2022-23 seasons. Moves fast? Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash Sports A Referee Collapsed at an NCAA Basketball Game. I get to watch the Masters.. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. People in the building, and I was one of them, thought he was dead. Something doesnt add up. 2023 www.indystar.com. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. There are 200+ professionals named "Bert Smith", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. It offers a chance to lead by example.
Bert Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life.
Referee Bert Smith's fall in men's NCAA Tournament game didn't kill him Some are destined for greatness, some for failure. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. Smith was admitted into Methodist and put on blood thinners. He was surrounded by medical professionals and eventually was helped on to a stretcher. Smith fell and was immediately attended to by medical personnel.
200+ "Bert Smith" profiles | LinkedIn Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. Veteran official Bert Smith hit his head on the baseline and laid face up for about five minutes before being stretchered off with 15:44 remaining in the first half of the 2021 March Madness.