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Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. 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. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. You meet talented, mediocre and middle-of-the-road people. Smith, who became an NCAA Division I official in 1993, said he remembers the play preceding the fall. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. The unnecessary replay of Bert. When I enter the field, theres more bounce in my step, my senses are heightened and my competitive juices start flowing. What I mean is that we are the upholders of the integrity of the game. 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. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. Smith trains year-round on a treadmill or stationary bike, and gets in other workouts, like when the family goes to Disney Worldand Smith says they dont need a stroller for their grandson, Karter. Shes an important part of this story.. What happens next leads toa picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. The board presents an award in his name each year to the area high school that exemplifies sportsmanship. 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!. He was officiating the Elite Eight matchup last month in Indianapolis when he suddenly collapsed near the Gonzaga bench. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Officiating In Perspective with Barry Mano, Amid cancer fight, NBA ref Tony Brown returning to work, Recruiting & Retention: What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. 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. Youve probably seen him. 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. I look for officials I assign to have the same respect and values for the game as I do. That was one of the few times I remember getting in trouble with my father for kicking his car door as hard as my little legs could out of anger. Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? . Hes a motivational speaker anddiversity recruiterin addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. 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 . 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!. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. Check this out.. People often ask me how I maintain a smile throughout almost every game, however it is quite unintentional. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. [1] It was the 68th annual edition of the tournament. And when next season arrives, you can expect to find Bert Smith on the hardwood. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. If you saw it, you understand. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. Usually I will leave the venue with a different outlook. You meet people persons, individual persons, team players and egomaniacs. Now I have hundreds of brothers around the country. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And they found out. he told the newspaper. So was Karter. I hear (other officials) say, I do it for the kids. Im not disagreeing with them when they say that and I enjoy being around the kids too, but theres a hundred other things I could do if I was doing it for the kids. 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. Whats he doing on his back? Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. you knew we kicked it in together. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. She said: I got the answer to the question. Smith is back home in Kentucky with his wife, Jacquie, and his grandson, Karter. 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. He runs. 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 . Bert Smith does. by Joseph Choi - 03/30/21 9:28 PM ET. Then he becomes a basketball official. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. There is no greater place to be than on a softball or baseball field. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. But do we say I love you enough? I get to watch the Masters.. Look at those crossed arms. Now he wonders. Please try again. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. 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. Rules knowledge is a component of it. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. He was surrounded by medical professionals and eventually was helped on to a stretcher. The passion and emotion of the contestants can never sway the judgment of the crew. 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. The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again. People in the building, and I was one of them, thought he was dead. March 30 (UPI) --The No. Knowing the rules and how to implement them fairly, evenly and within the guidelines of accepted philosophy is important. Its deep, and its contagious. I came off the field and I was so pumped up. Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their careand understands their stretcher subterfuge. Its because I was telling the doctor: You little SOB, you tricked me!. Having to make those decisions in a split second is a challenge I enjoy. That is definitely what drives me. Bert Smith, the official who collapsed during the Elite Eight, believes his fall could have saved his life. Youve probably seen him. "You don't know where that clot was going next," Smith told the Star's Gregg Doyel. Whatsthatfor? Once hospitalizedat first, he didnt even plan to godoctors discovered a troubling issue: a blood clot in his lungs. 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!. Then he becomes a basketball official. I love the smell of the grass when you first walk out on the field when you get to the stadium. Heres where Im tell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. It allows me the privilege to do something I love, being part of the greatest game, mens college basketball. 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. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. Its hard for me to talk about now. You cant get any closer to the ballgame. 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. By Bert Smith, NCAA D-I men's basketball official from Florence, Ky. I love officiating because of the rush of excitement I get every time a player rises over another for a nothing-but-net three-pointer or from two kids diving after a loose ball like its a $1 million bill. I love being part of the game. Smiths pausing. Something doesnt add up. We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. 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. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar or at www.facebook.com/gregg.doyel. Katie Trammels stock is up with me in the Smith family book, he says, laughing. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. We won't send you spam. Smith is the college basketball official who passed out during themen's NCAA Tournamentregional final between Gonzaga and Southern California, toppling over like a fallen tree his description his body prone and unmoving, his eyes open and unseeing, a Gonzaga trainer frantically waving for help. It saved his life. This week, Gonzaga and Southern California faced off during the Elite Eight matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. 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. Thats 1990. 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. He's grumpy in the now-famous photo of him on it and told Doyel he was tricked. Fox News Flash top headlines for April 10. View. Next thing he remembers, hes looking at the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Video shows Cowboys Prescott taking snaps, moving well, Thamel: Millers firing tells truth about coaching in NCAA, Former Florida State, Giants WR arrested on murder charges, Rapinoe blasts Warriors Green for takes on womens sports, abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game, Smith told the Indianapolis Star's Gregg Doyel, later in the night that Smith was "alert and stable. That was the start of my passion for officiating basketball. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. Ref alert after collapsing during Gonzaga-USC, Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Veteran college basketball referee Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the first half of Tuesday night's Elite Eight game between No. My father and older brother both became soccer referees, and I had to watch them referee every Saturday in agony waiting for my turn. Something doesnt add up. 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. Moves fast, this guy. He has been in contact with his family. Referee Bert Smith said he was 'tricked' into getting on the stretcher after his collapse . We get him off the floor out of sight and he just loses it, Fox recalls. A former employee at Avis Car Rental, he dropped that job to officiate full time in 2010. 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. 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 . Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. 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. 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. Where did it come from? At IU Health Methodist, the 56-year-old Smith was treated by Dr. Katie Trammel, "an important part of this story.". You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. It has put me in the middle of so many exciting situations where my skills and knowledge have been tested and given me and my crewmates the afterglow of satisfaction when you know you nailed it in a championship atmosphere. Bert Smith (56) NCAA men's basketball Referee collapsed due to a blood clot in his lung during a tournament News Story. 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. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Bert Smith NCAA men's basketball official, 27th season My fitness is important to me. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Big League College World Series (last August in Kalamazoo, Mich.) was probably the most fun Ive had on a ball field. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. Smith was put on blood thinners and discharged two days later with the clot gone. I still play in a mens league, have refereed more than 700 NCAA games and am in my 17th season as an MLS official. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. I look to my left, and its a doctor, Bert says, and hes laughing about it now. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. Off the court, doctors checked his vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, etc. I am blessed that I have been able to enjoy two passions and carry on the Aldrich Hoop Family tradition. 6 seed University of Southern California and No. There is no swaying what we are attempting to do to make sure the game is played as fairly as possible. Something doesnt add up. CNN . Smith does remember the 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. Whats he doing on his back? This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Moves fast? He rarely uses the elevator. I'm committed to it year round. Turns out, it was something worse. Trammel wasnt as concerned with a CT scan on his skull as she was on why he fell in the first place. 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 heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. 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. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. Whats he doing on his back? Hes got a wife, Jacquie, of 32 years, two daughters and two more grandchildren. Nobody can say. It puts me in the zone! 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. 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. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. He was released after two days in the hospital. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. For now, hell continue to return new messagesstill flooding inand relax while, yes, watching golfs first major championship. but never had a chance. Were about to put you through the car wash of testing, she said. The thing I enjoy most about NHL officiating is the challenge each game presents. 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. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? Do we give an extra hug enough? Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? Gregg Doyel Indianapolis Star 0:00 0:56 INDIANAPOLIS - Bert Smith hasn't seen the moment that. It does not store any personal data. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. If you saw it, you understand. Smith's fall to the ground. Knowing the rulebook and being able to execute decisions in a split-second. The challenges of officiating are a great motivation and fun you gotta love it! Its a good week to be getting sympathy from the wife, he says, chuckling. Working a Friday night high school football game gives me goose bumps. He did not go to the hospital. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. I cant find that feeling anywhere else. Check this out. Look at those crossed arms. You could talk to him during a game. " Bert is alert and stable and will not be transported to a hospital. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. Thats his wife of 33 years. Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. 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. I love that we are the only participants who are not allowed to fail. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. I just cannot erase the pleasure from my face. . I literally grew up watching my dad, Glen, work a seemingly endless number of football and basketball games. I have to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally. Im ready to get after it, he says. Heres why: 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. 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. Everyones joking with him now. Legal Statement. He later regained consciousness and was stretchered off the . Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. All rights reserved. I know his wife is going to be going bananas. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. 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. She said: I got the answer to the question. 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. The clot restricted enough oxygen to Smith that he passed out during the game. Hed been duped. My colleagues and I have strong personalities with how were wired so being able to do a job that you know youre in a select company of people is very rewarding. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. 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. Everyones joking with him now. I didnt miss a game that season, because working the games was my therapy. A scary moment interrupted the Elite Eight on Tuesday, as NCAA official Bert Smith abruptly collapsed during a game between No. I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife. 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. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. Referee data is available for the 1988-89 through 2022-23 seasons. Before I started officiating I had a sister who lived in another county. As a child, I know that I enjoyed every minute of it. Mar 31st, 2021. Bert Smith just now finished returning the text messages. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Do we give an extra hug enough? Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. Moves fast, this guy. Eades, who at age 56 has worked three Final Fours and. He said no. 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. and would not need hospitalization. ", BAYLOR BEATS GONZAGA FOR FIRST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. The support and love was just overwhelming. A pulmonary embolism.