She said: I got the answer to the question. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? My father and older brother both became soccer referees, and I had to watch them referee every Saturday in agony waiting for my turn. It offers a chance to lead by example. But do we say I love you enough? "You don't know where that clot was going next," Smith told the Star's Gregg Doyel. 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.. Im very grateful. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. We get him off the floor out of sight and he just loses it, Fox recalls. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. It goes: You scored, Billy Being able to handle situations that arise separates the average official from the capable arbiter. View. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. 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. He is the current president of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, was the 2020 winner of the National Headliner Award as the country's top sports columnist and has twice been named North. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Not one of these men or women is without the utmost class and integrity, and I hope by associating with them some of their class and integrity has rubbed off on me and made me a better person. 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? They insisted more. 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! She said: I got the answer to the question. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. It is by far the most difficult thing Ive ever done. 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 . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, I do it because I love the ballgame. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. Shes an important part of this story.. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. 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 . Youve probably seen him. Something doesnt add up. Usually I will leave the venue with a different outlook. 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? Smith was admitted into Methodist and put on blood thinners. 6 seed USC. View the profiles of professionals named "Bert Smith" on LinkedIn. 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. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. Legal Statement. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. All rights reserved. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. Managing a game and ensuring equity in your rulings between two talented, highly motivated teams is a great challenge. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. But slow down, OK? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Knowing the rules and how to implement them fairly, evenly and within the guidelines of accepted philosophy is important. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. Do we give an extra hug enough? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Thats his wife of 33 years. Now he wonders. Why cant he catch his breath? 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 . They were pretty intense, man. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. 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.. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. Each week, Id tag along with dad and his crew to whatever game they had scheduled. Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. Look at his scowl. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. Look at those crossed arms. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. Then he becomes a basketball official. 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. A referee has collapsed on court during the opening stages of an NCAA Elite Eight basketball match in Indiana. All Rights Reserved. Something doesnt add up. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at@GreggDoyelStar. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors were reportedly unsure whether the clot had anything to do with COVID-19. He started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and. Another year passed and my father finally allowed me to become a certified referee. The whole thing is mysterious, because hes a sculpture of a man, 6-3 and 195 pounds. Smiths pausing. Why cant he catch his breath? Legal Statement. Hes a motivational speaker anddiversity recruiterin addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. Officiating is similar to playing the game full of emotion, both highs and lows. 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!. Smith, who became an NCAA Division I official in 1993, said he remembers the play preceding the fall. Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. You could talk to him during a game. Smith told the Indianapolis Star's Gregg Doyel he doesn't remember falling and hasn't seen a replay, but what doctors found that night could have been life-saving. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. 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. Its deep, and its contagious. I still play in a mens league, have refereed more than 700 NCAA games and am in my 17th season as an MLS official. By 1993 hes an NCAA Division I official. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. he told the newspaper. Whats he doing on his back? When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. . The 56-year-old veteran referee was carried off the court on a stretcher. 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. He has been in contact with his family. You meet people persons, individual persons, team players and egomaniacs. As a note, the first four are crew chiefs in any list. Success! Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Having to make those decisions in a split second is a challenge I enjoy. He runs. Look at his scowl. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. Hes been friends with Smith for 30 years. 6 seed USC. There are 200+ professionals named "Bert Smith", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? By 1993hes an NCAA Division I official. Thats 1990. 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. He gets exercise any time he can and officiates around 90 games a year for the NCAA. 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? Its a wonderful place to be. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I cant find that feeling anywhere else. If you saw it, you understand. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. Hed been duped. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar or at www.facebook.com/gregg.doyel. 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 . Add to that the extreme climate conditions that officials encounter and you quickly understand the importance of physical conditioning for officials. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Well, says one of the doctors, at least sit on the stretcher. Michael Conroy/AP. Referee Bert Smith was taken off the court on a stretcher after collapsing to the court during the first half of the NCAA men's tournament Elite Eight matchup between USC and Gonzaga on Tuesday. I joined a rec team and Mike spent hours showing me how to play. 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. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. Game official Bert Smith collapsed Tuesday evening in the first half of the men's NCAA basketball game between No. Bert Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life. Later, doctors discovered the reason. Smith told the publication. Do we give an extra hug enough? Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. The passion I felt when I played is still there for me when I officiate and I can feel that passion on the court. 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. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. As a child, I know that I enjoyed every minute of it. For the following few years, I officiated some while pursuing my masters in nursing and then my doctorate. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Officiating at the professional level requires commitment to conditioning. 29/08/21, Germany (unknown age) Unnamed Germany C-League Dillenburg a player from Hirzenhain collapses, game . We won't send you spam. The NCAA even distributed a statement announcing the news: Smith was O.K. 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. Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. I have known that I wanted to referee long before I owned my first whistle. 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. Nobody can say. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? I am also in my first year as the coordinator of officials for the NE-10 Conference, the largest Division II conference in the country. Whats he doing on his back? Medical personnel at Lucas Oil Stadium treated Smith, who later went to a local hospital. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. I have to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. Look at his scowl. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. You know the rules, have studied the pregame intel and use your experience to go read and react to the actions. You could talk to him during a game. I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife. Look at those crossed arms. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. 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. The clot restricted enough oxygen to Smith that he passed out during the game. Check this out.. I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. Smith collapsed just over four minutes into the Elite Eight game between USC. He works his first game at age 24. The scary moment was caughtlive during the Bulldogs-Trojans matchup. " I know his wife is going to be going bananas. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag.