Earlier: Tonight's Elite Eight game between Gonzaga and USC was stopped momentarily after veteran referee Bert Smith collapsed on the court. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Medical officials tending to him on the floor insisted he be transported off the floor by the stretcher. Presently I officiate in nine D-I conferences. 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. 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. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. What happened to ref in Gonzaga game? Referee Bert Smith carried on 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 . 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 . Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. 1 . Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? 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. He doesnt remember passing out, only that things got foggy, he says, and that his breathing didnt feel normal. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. If you saw it, you understand. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. Everyones joking with him now. And they found out. This week, Gonzaga and Southern California faced off during the Elite Eight matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. Then he becomes a basketball official. The scary moment was caughtlive during the Bulldogs-Trojans matchup. 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. 2021 ACC men's basketball tournament - Wikipedia Players on both teams returned to their benches. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. 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. 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. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. Smith collapsed just over four minutes into the Elite Eight game between USC. NCAA Tournament referee Bert Smith collapse during game saved his life She said: I got the answer to the question. Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. He said he'll be back officiating next season. He goes to IU Health Methodist. When you are ready mentally you work with confidence. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Whatsthatfor? Having good presence, working with pride, acting professional and enjoying the challenge of the job is what I love most about officiating hockey. I was seven years old and wanted to learn everything he learned each day when he got home from practice. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. NCAA Tournament Basketball Referee Bert Smith suffered a scary collapse during the 2022 NCAA March Madness Tournament Gonzaga vs. USC basketball game.I bre. 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. When I am out on the field working a game I am mentally and physically completely focused on doing the job right. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. Hell just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes theyll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. March Madness roundup: Gonzaga, UCLA advance to Final Four 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 . Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. 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. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. 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. 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. NCAA ref Bert Smith stretchered out after collapse in Elite Eight - Yahoo! Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hed been duped. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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? Moves fast, this guy. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. He rarely uses the elevator. When I enter the field, theres more bounce in my step, my senses are heightened and my competitive juices start flowing. Later during the broadcast, they announced he was feeling OK and resting in the arena. Bert Smith . Officiating for me has always been the ultimate escape. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. Now he wonders. Off the court, doctors checked his vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, etc. 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. Why cant he catch his breath? Its deep, and its contagious. Might as well walk fast, too. 10,797 Ncaa Referee Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO basketball referee 10,797 Ncaa Referee Premium High Res Photos Browse 10,797 ncaa referee stock photos and images available, or search for basketball referee to find more great stock photos and pictures. ", 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. Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with Bert Smith just now finished returning the text messages. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. Thats around the time he spilled onto the hardwood, awaking to a semicircle of people surrounding him. He runs. They strapped me in! 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. Ref alert after collapsing during Gonzaga-USC, Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife. "He's a great official, great person," Few said after his team's 85-66 win to advance to the Final Four. We won't send you spam. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. He later regained consciousness and was stretchered off the . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. 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. I literally grew up watching my dad, Glen, work a seemingly endless number of football and basketball games. You cant get any closer to the ballgame. Were about to put you through the car wash of testing, she said. The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again. They insisted more. We enjoyed working four football seasons together before his retirement. 6 seed USC at Lucas Oil Stadium in . Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. Mar 31st, 2021. OK, so the night of March 29. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day. View. Video: Referee Collapses In Scary Scene During Gonzaga-USC Game Veteran college basketball referee Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the first half of Tuesday night's Elite Eight game between No. 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.. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Please try again. Being able to handle situations that arise separates the average official from the capable arbiter. Whats he doing on his back? Referee Bert Smith's fall in men's NCAA Tournament game didn't kill him I could be having the worst day possible and I still lose myself in my game that day. Bert Smith, Raymond Styons. There was an error submitting your subscription. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Shes an important part of this story.. Being mentally ready for the game is most important. I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. The board presents an award in his name each year to the area high school that exemplifies sportsmanship. Ncaa Referee Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Nobody can say. Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused fall at NCAA tourney It allows me the privilege to do something I love, being part of the greatest game, mens college basketball. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. A pulmonary embolism. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. Trammel was at Methodistthe night of March 30. Moves fast? At the core of the reasons why I love to referee is a passion for the sport of soccer. Just over four minutes into the game between USC and Gonzaga, Bert . Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. March Madness referee Bert Smith collapses during USC-Gonzaga Hes got a wife, Jacquie, of 32 years, two daughters and two more grandchildren. 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 . Its the best seat in the house. 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. Something doesnt add up. If they had done that and said, Mr. 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. 2023 www.indystar.com. All rights reserved. Hes been friends with Smith for 30 years. For the following few years, I officiated some while pursuing my masters in nursing and then my doctorate. Michael Conroy/AP. 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. That is definitely what drives me. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Success! Legal Statement. And they found out. 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. Thats normal to huff and puff, right? Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? See Bert Smith? He said the fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. Look at that picture again. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. 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! By 1993 hes an NCAA Division I official. But slow down, OK? What happens next leads to a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. 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. Referee Bert Smith collapses at NCAA men's tournament game between Later, doctors discovered the reason. 6 seed USC last month in the men's NCAA tournament. Trammel wasnt as concerned with a CT scan on his skull as she was on why he fell in the first place. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KSDK When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. Official collapses during NCAA men's tournament game She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. 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. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Smith's fall to the ground. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Smith is one of the longest tenured and most respected officials in college hoops. Shes an important part of this story.. But slow down, OK? Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. It does not store any personal data. Now he wonders. Smiths pausing. Do we give an extra hug enough? A scary moment interrupted the Elite Eight on Tuesday, as NCAA official Bert Smith abruptly collapsed during a game between No. Follow every game: Latest NCAA Men's College Basketball Scores and Schedules. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. And without any rhyme or reason, the place where I feel the most at home, pacified and comfortable is on that soccer field. 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.