They strapped me in! Might as well walk fast, too. All Rights Reserved. I cant find that feeling anywhere else. Something doesnt add up. 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. Trammel had seen the video. It does not store any personal data. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. 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. 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. When I am out on the field working a game I am mentally and physically completely focused on doing the job right. 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. Next thing he remembers, hes looking at the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. Hes huffing and puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. It is my release. Whats that for? Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. Official Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the game, immediately being carried away in a stretcher. OK, so the night of March 29. Bert Smith NCAA men's basketball official, 27th season My fitness is important to me. Do we give an extra hug enough? 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. 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. NCAA Elite Eight match halted as referee Bert Smith collapses 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 . Nobody can say. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. Hes huffing-and-puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. 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. Gregg Doyel Indianapolis Star 0:00 0:56 INDIANAPOLIS - Bert Smith hasn't seen the moment that. 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 . No matter what age, talent, salary, race or sex, you must give your all. They insisted more. The scary scene unfolded with 15:44 to play in the. The unnecessary replay of Bert. 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. Moves fast? 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Smith, a veteran college basketball official of 28 years, lost consciousness five minutes into the game, falling backward in a scary moment captured on the TBS broadcast and banging his head against the hardwood court. Moves fast, this guy. 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? 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. Now he wonders. OK, so the night of March 29. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? Something doesnt add up. Thats 1990. Why I Love Officiating - Referee.com - Referee.com & Referee Magazine 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. 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. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of that and hasnt seen a replay of his fall, though he says hes almost ready to watch. Bert Smith just now finished returning the text messages. Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with Gaining the best sight line on the ice requires officials to be strong skaters, agile and physically fit. It was fun and stress-free officiating, and I was able to help pay for college. 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. Smith, who became an NCAA Division I official in 1993, said he remembers the play preceding the fall. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. More than a week later, he hasnt watched the moment. Katie Trammels stock is up with me in the Smith family book, he says, laughing. 6 seed USC at Lucas Oil Stadium in . Everything was normal. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Smith was put on blood thinners and discharged two days later with the clot gone. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. They strapped me in! There were 500 of them. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Update provided on status of referee Bert Smith following collapse Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - WCNC-TV Youve probably seen him. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. I could be involved with 4-H. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. I lost it, too. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. It is equivalent to flying an airplane, skydiving, skiing a black diamond, anything that heightens all your senses. I could be involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. All rights reserved. Ncaa Referee Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. 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! Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Smith said, in a way, he was grateful the fall happened during the tournament and not when he was driving. We get him off the floor out of sight and he just loses it, Fox recalls. 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 . The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. He later regained consciousness and was stretchered off the . "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Check this out. A former employee at Avis Car Rental, he dropped that job to officiate full time in 2010. Now he wonders. Hospitalized with a blood clot. The clot restricted enough oxygen to Smith that he passed out during the game. Referee data is available for the 1988-89 through 2022-23 seasons. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. He runs. Each week, Id tag along with dad and his crew to whatever game they had scheduled. March Madness referee Bert Smith collapses during USC-Gonzaga Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. Turns out, nope, no concussion. It pushes you to be on top of your game. You also have to ensure that your mental preparation is exceptional in order to be effective. Hes incredibly fit, somewhat of a workout freak, and hes never really endured many traumatic health issuescertainly nothing like this. Thats his wife of 33 years. We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. Smith fell and was immediately attended to by medical personnel. "He's a great official, great person," Few said after his team's 85-66 win to advance to the Final Four. As a child, I know that I enjoyed every minute of it. 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. that carried high into the net. The referee who collapsed during Gonzaga 's matchup against USC in the NCAA tournament had a blood clot in his lung, the Indianapolis Star reported on Friday. 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. Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KGW Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. And they heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. Trammel was at Methodist the night of March 30. Here's where I'mtell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. 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. Later during the broadcast, they announced he was feeling OK and resting in the arena. I just cannot erase the pleasure from my face. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. I will, he says. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. 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. 2023 www.indystar.com. He started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The 56-year-old veteran referee was carried off the court on a stretcher. NCAA ref Bert Smith (Buffalo) said to be doing well after collapse - WGRZ Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. Ref alert after collapsing during Gonzaga-USC, Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. We enjoyed working four football seasons together before his retirement. Officiating is similar to playing the game full of emotion, both highs and lows. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. 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. Being able to handle situations that arise separates the average official from the capable arbiter. 200+ "Bert Smith" profiles | LinkedIn 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. She said: I got the answer to the question. A scary moment interrupted the Elite Eight on Tuesday, as NCAA official Bert Smith abruptly collapsed during a game between No. 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. He's grumpy in the now-famous photo of him on it and told Doyel he was tricked. NCAA Tournament fall didn't kill referee Bert Smith. It saved his life. By Bert Smith, NCAA D-I men's basketball official from Florence, Ky. 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. 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. By 1993 hes an NCAA Division I official. NCAA ref Bert Smith stretchered out after collapse in Elite Eight - Yahoo! Bert Smith. Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. Active referees are listed in bold. My love of officiating started when I was very young five to six years old. 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 Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life.

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