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. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Smith says the fall and subsequent battery of testing was a life-saving ordeal. 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. Veteran college basketball referee Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the first half of Tuesday night's Elite Eight game between No. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Whatsthatfor? He later regained consciousness and was stretchered off the . . He did not go to the hospital. 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. I'm committed to it year round. The challenges of officiating are a great motivation and fun you gotta love it! My feelings about my whistle are still the same. No, he said hed walk off under assistance. Thats 1990. It could have been a red flag, he said doctors told him, but then again "sometimes it just hits you.". Knowing how to communicate with players, coaches and officials when the game is on the line requires great skill and finesse. 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. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? 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. I always say, you can question my judgment but dont question my effort. The whole thing is mysterious, because hes a sculpture of a man, 6-3 and 195 pounds. I literally grew up watching my dad, Glen, work a seemingly endless number of football and basketball games. Oh, Ill be back. Well, says one of the doctors, at least sit on the stretcher. 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. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Moves fast? 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. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. 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. The Big League College World Series (last August in Kalamazoo, Mich.) was probably the most fun Ive had on a ball field. Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. 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. It allows me the privilege to do something I love, being part of the greatest game, mens college basketball. Bert Smith does. 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. It is by far the most difficult thing Ive ever done. Everything we send is officiating specific because that's all we do. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash Sports A Referee Collapsed at an NCAA Basketball Game. And without any rhyme or reason, the place where I feel the most at home, pacified and comfortable is on that soccer field. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. You could talk to him during a game. Hes a motivational speaker anddiversity recruiterin addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. I didnt miss a game that season, because working the games was my therapy. One of those people was Mike Fox, an independent contractor hired by the NCAA to help run the tournament and a basketball official himself. 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. 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. Being part of the game is a big reason. Do we give an extra hug enough? "You don't know where that clot was going next," Smith told the Star's Gregg Doyel. Players on both teams returned to their benches. 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. You could talk to him during a game. 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. Its deep, and its contagious. Subscribe to get the Referee.com Review every week plus periodic free training and special offers on the sports you officiate. There were 500 of them. 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. Its energizing and refreshing to have that kind of focus on something. People often ask me how I maintain a smile throughout almost every game, however it is quite unintentional. Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. They were pretty intense, man. Its deep, and its contagious. 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. 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 could be having the worst day possible and I still lose myself in my game that day. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. 6 seed USC. Moves fast, this guy. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. 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. Note: This article is archival in nature. There were ones from coaches, ones from colleagues, ones from family, one even from an NFL official hed never met. It pushes you to be on top of your game. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. 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. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. 6 seed USC at Lucas Oil Stadium in . Do you know you went viral? she playfully asked. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. I do it because I love the ballgame. He said he'll be back officiating next season. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. View the profiles of professionals named "Bert Smith" on LinkedIn. Smith revealed in a lengthy interview with the Indianapolis Star the fall may have saved him. He started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and. Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? Add to that the extreme climate conditions that officials encounter and you quickly understand the importance of physical conditioning for officials. Next thing he remembers, hes looking at the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. I love being part of the game. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; INDIANAPOLIS -- A referee collapsed early in the first half of Tuesday night's Elite Eight matchup between Gonzaga and USC . First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. It is equivalent to flying an airplane, skydiving, skiing a black diamond, anything that heightens all your senses. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. It took me a few days, he says. Its the best seat in the house. Where did it come from? Heres where Im tell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Another year passed and my father finally allowed me to become a certified referee. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. Everything was normal. 6 seed University of Southern California and No. Look at that picture again. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. If you saw it, you understand. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The arrival at the arena, the pregame, being with various partners, the competition, the players, coaches, ambience, the focus and concentration needed on each possession. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. See Bert Smith? 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. Even after coaches/fans express their disappointment in my calls, I still have the eyes and hearts of the players on the field looking to me for leadership and how to show good character and convictions. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. For the following few years, I officiated some while pursuing my masters in nursing and then my doctorate. My father was a basketball official and one of the founding members of the local IAABO board in Lowell, Mass. The reason is Im saying to them, You tricked me, you little SOB!. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. He rarely uses the elevator. The minute my stripes are on, Im a part of a crew not an official with a disability. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Hed been duped. Whats he doing on his back? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Unfortunately we miss plays every night, but the challenge of trying to be perfect and get every play right is why I love it so much. The scary moment was caught. It saved his life. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. The NCAA even distributed a statement announcing the news: Smith was O.K. 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. ", BAYLOR BEATS GONZAGA FOR FIRST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. Im ready to get after it, he says. Fox News Flash top headlines for April 10. that carried high into the net. Official Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the game, immediately being carried away in a stretcher. Something doesnt add up. All rights reserved. Then he becomes a basketball official. So was Karter. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Please try again. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. If you saw it, you understand. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. They released him to return to his hotel. 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. 1 . NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. Thats 1990. She said: I got the answer to the question. Bert Smith NCAA men's basketball official, 27th season My fitness is important to me. The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again. When he retired as an official to take the ACC job in 2016, he immediately had to replace one of the conference's best referees: himself. 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. For now, hell continue to return new messagesstill flooding inand relax while, yes, watching golfs first major championship. Thats 1990. Something doesnt add up. See Bert Smith? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all the cookies. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. Just over four minutes into the game between USC and Gonzaga, Bert . Jacquie was waiting at the door. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. 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.. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Turns out, it was something worse. Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? He goes to IU Health Methodist. It is my release. All rights reserved. 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. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Jacquie was waiting at the door. According to the Indianapolis Star, Smith was placed on blood thinners and two days later the clot was gone. They strapped me in! Later during the broadcast, they announced he was feeling OK and resting in the arena. Medical officials tending to him on the floor insisted he be transported off the floor by the stretcher. It offers a chance to lead by example. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their careand understands their stretcher subterfuge. You meet just about every type of person there is that exists and you have to learn to deal with all of them in a manner that shows that you deserve to be called an official. You meet cheaters, schemers, geniuses and idiots. Now I have hundreds of brothers around the country. By 1993hes an NCAA Division I official. Do we give an extra hug enough? When you are ready mentally you work with confidence. The board presents an award in his name each year to the area high school that exemplifies sportsmanship. NCAA Tournament Basketball Referee Bert Smith suffered a scary collapse during the 2022 NCAA March Madness Tournament Gonzaga vs. USC basketball game.I bre. Katie Trammels stock is up with me in the Smith family book, he says, laughing. 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. Officiating is similar to playing the game full of emotion, both highs and lows. Smith was put on blood thinners and discharged two days later with the clot gone. He plans to return as soon as he can to the court, and that includes ref camps this summer. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? Smith does rememberthe 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 started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and now does as many as 80 games a year. The arrival at the arena, the pregame, being with various partners, the competition, the players, coaches, ambience, the focus and concentration needed on each possession. But do we say I love you enough? You know the rules, have studied the pregame intel and use your experience to go read and react to the actions. She said: I got the answer to the question. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Smith is one of the longest tenured and most respected officials in college hoops. Do we give an extra hug enough? Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. 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. a thrust, a dribble, a power shot Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. Why cant he catch his breath? The scary moment was caughtlive during the Bulldogs-Trojans matchup. I thought he was a good official, a fair official, and when you saw him at a game, you knew you were going to get a good whistle from him., Smith says well see him at games next season I could work again in seven to 10 days, he says but for now he wants to thank some people publicly. Its not some routine youre doing day in and day out. Why cant he catch his breath? Hes huffing-and-puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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 . 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. Here's where I'mtell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. As a person with a disability, Im pleased to be a part of a profession that doesnt discriminate against what I cant do and emphasizes what I can. Immediately after falling, Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd ran to him and the bench waved for doctors. 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. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. Check this out.. Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. 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. Check this out. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. 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. My uniforms were enormous, and I stepped on my flag but I felt as big as the world! Gaining the best sight line on the ice requires officials to be strong skaters, agile and physically fit. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. Thats his wife of 33 years. I thought he was a good official, a fair official, and when you saw him at a game, you knew you were going to get a good whistle from him., Smith says well see him at games next season I could work again in seven to 10 days, he says but for now he wants to thank some people publicly. This week, Gonzaga and Southern California faced off during the Elite Eight matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Bert Smith does. 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 . Might as well walk fast, too. The article is made available for educational use by individuals. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at@GreggDoyelStar. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Officiating for me has always been the ultimate escape. Do we give an extra hug enough? Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. View. He goes to IU Health Methodist. He runs. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. I know his wife is going to be going bananas. 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. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments.
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