Well, says one of the doctors, at least sit on the stretcher. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Smith says the fall and subsequent battery of testing was a life-saving ordeal. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. 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 a wonderful place to be. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. Referee data is available for the 1988-89 through 2022-23 seasons. You meet talented, mediocre and middle-of-the-road people. I joined a rec team and Mike spent hours showing me how to play. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. 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. He works his first game at age 24. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Then he becomes a basketball official. Now he wonders. 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.
NCAA Elite Eight match halted as referee Bert Smith collapses Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? Were about to put you through the car wash of testing, she said. They poured into Smiths phone after he collapsed on national television during Gonzagas eventual win over USC in a mens Elite Eight game on March 30. There were ones from coaches, ones from colleagues, ones from family, one even from an NFL official hed never met. 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. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. They strapped me in!
Referee Bert Smith collapses during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight game - FanSided Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both.
NCAA Ref Bert Smith Says Blood Clot in Lung Caused Collapse at - TMZ There is no greater place to be than on a softball or baseball field. That's where he learned his scary fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. I will, he says. Look at his scowl. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? 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? Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? Whats he doing on his back? Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year.
In a scary moment, Smith passed out cold during a recent Elite Eight game. I could be involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Whats that for? Fox News Flash top headlines for April 10. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. Oh, Ill be back. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. Might as well walk fast, too. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. She said: I got the answer to the question. Whats he doing on his back? 6 seed USC last month in the men's NCAA tournament. 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!.
Referee OK after collapsing on sideline during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight 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 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 kept me going.. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. Smiths pausing. 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. It is by far the most difficult thing Ive ever done.
NCAA Officials Share Fitness Regimens - Referee.com You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? Thats 1990. And they found out. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. 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.. 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. When a situation occurs that brings the temperature of the game up, you have to control your emotions and read the emotions of the players and coaches to restore calm. 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. However, minutes into the game, the NCAA tournament ended up experiencing a scary moment. I literally grew up watching my dad, Glen, work a seemingly endless number of football and basketball games. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. The NCAA announced later in the night that Smith was "alert and stable" and would not be transported to a hospital.
Official collapses during NCAA tournament, wheeled off court on Gaining the best sight line on the ice requires officials to be strong skaters, agile and physically fit.
Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with Each week, Id tag along with dad and his crew to whatever game they had scheduled. So was Karter. Please try again. But slow down, OK? Its because I was telling the doctor: You little SOB, you tricked me!. Success! Trammel was at Methodist the night of March 30. Fox News' Daniel Canova contributed to this report. Moves fast, this guy. It goes: You scored, Billy Officiating at the professional level requires commitment to conditioning. And how did the court get so blurry all of a sudden, like someone smeared it with.
March Madness: Bert Smith diagnosed with - New York Post Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Thats normal to huff and puff, right? I'm committed to it year round. But do we say I love you enough? Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Why cant he catch his breath? Everyones joking with him now. He started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. 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.
NCAA Referee Bert Smith Collapses On Court During Elite 8 Game, But The Big League College World Series (last August in Kalamazoo, Mich.) was probably the most fun Ive had on a ball field. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. 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 . I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. Look at those crossed arms. I have known that I wanted to referee long before I owned my first whistle. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. He later regained consciousness and was stretchered off the . I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KHOU By Bert Smith, NCAA D-I men's basketball official from Florence, Ky. He mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. He goes to IU Health Methodist. Hes huffing-and-puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of that and hasnt seen a replay of his fall, though he says hes almost ready to watch. Smith is one of the longest tenured and most respected officials in college hoops. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. He agreed. I love officiating because of the challenge. 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.
Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused his fall at NCAA men He was released after two days in the hospital. Everything was normal. Hes huffing-and-puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. Trammel wasnt as concerned with a CT scan on his skull as she was on why he fell in the first place. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. Everyones joking with him now. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. OK, so the night of March 29. 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. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. Hes incredibly fit, somewhat of a workout freak, and hes never really endured many traumatic health issuescertainly nothing like this. Bert Smith NCAA men's basketball official, 27th season My fitness is important to me. 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. 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. And they found out. CNN . Heres where Im tell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. According to kenpom.com, the Gonzaga-USC game was the 70th matchup Smith worked this season. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. Trammel had seen the video. So was Karter.
Official collapses, wheeled off court on stretcher from NCAA tournament 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.
March Madness: NCAA Ref Collapses During Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight 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. 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. Dr. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? " 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. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. ", BAYLOR BEATS GONZAGA FOR FIRST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. Do we give an extra hug enough? NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. And how did the court get so blurry all of a sudden, like someone smeared it with Next thing he remembers, hes looking at the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. Moves fast, this guy. 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. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. What happens next leads to a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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 . Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No.
NCAA ref Bert Smith reveals what led to scary fall during men's Even though at this point in my career I have the experience and acceptance, there is still that constant challenge from one game to the next because you never know what is going to happen every time you step on the ice. We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. Bert Smith, the official who collapsed during the Elite Eight, believes his fall could have saved his life. It allows me the privilege to do something I love, being part of the greatest game, mens college basketball. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. 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. They were pretty intense, man. Knowing the rulebook and being able to execute decisions in a split-second. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. Bert Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life. All rights reserved. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. 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.. He was surrounded by medical professionals and eventually was helped on to a stretcher. The scary moment was caughtlive during the Bulldogs-Trojans matchup. Game official Bert Smith collapsed and was taken off the court on a gurney during the first half of the men's NCAA basketball game between the USC Trojans . Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now.
Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with March 30 (UPI) --The No. I love being part of the game. Youve probably seen him. 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 love officiating because it has a Zen aspect to it: for those two hours, you are completely focused on the task at hand. 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.