ncaa referee bert smith age

If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. They strapped me in! 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. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. OK, so the night of March 29. There is no greater place to be than on a softball or baseball field. Look at those crossed arms. And they heard the sound his head made I heard it, too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. 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 . I am blessed that I have been able to enjoy two passions and carry on the Aldrich Hoop Family tradition. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors were reportedly unsure whether the clot had anything to do with COVID-19. I came off the field and I was so pumped up. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. All rights reserved. Off the court, doctors checked his vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, etc. Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? He agreed. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. Where did it come from? But slow down, OK? Look at his scowl. Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. Im ready to get after it, he says. NCAA Tournament official Bert Smith collapses during Elite Eight game 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. NCAA ref Bert Smith says on-court collapse saved his life - Yahoo! Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Referee Bert Smith is tended to by training staff and medical personnel after collapsing during the first half of the Elite Eight round game between the USC Trojans and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during . The scary moment was caughtlive during the Bulldogs-Trojans matchup. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. 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 . I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. 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? And without any rhyme or reason, the place where I feel the most at home, pacified and comfortable is on that soccer field. Dr. Everyones joking with him now. Officiating at the professional level requires commitment to conditioning. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Moves fast, this guy. Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. 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. What I mean is that we are the upholders of the integrity of the game. And they heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. The support and love was just overwhelming. He was officiating the Elite Eight matchup last month in Indianapolis when he suddenly collapsed near the Gonzaga bench. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The reason is Im saying to them, You tricked me, you little SOB!. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith lies on the court after collapsing during the Gonzaga-USC men's game in the Elite Eight. Smiths pausing. Bad news for ACC basketball: One of the sport's best referees is You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. The NCAA announces that Smith has returned to the hotel, and its true. NCAA Ref Bert Smith Says Blood Clot in Lung Caused Collapse at - TMZ A pulmonary embolism. Bert Smith, Raymond Styons. Success! I realized, even back then, how fun and rewarding each officiating experience was for the crew. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. Bert Smith: Blood clot caused NCAA tournament ref collapse - Sports A scary moment interrupted the Elite Eight on Tuesday, as NCAA official Bert Smith abruptly collapsed during a game between No. My Investigation into the WVU/Pitt Officiating - Mountaineer Sports After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. 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 . He works his first game at age 24. My father and older brother both became soccer referees, and I had to watch them referee every Saturday in agony waiting for my turn. Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused his fall at NCAA men 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! All rights reserved. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. . The final clip in this video compilation shows Bert Smith as he collapsed during a March Madness game in April 2021. There are 200+ professionals named "Bert Smith", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. When you are ready mentally you work with confidence. Smith, 56, regained consciousness, and he was alert as he was carried off the floor on a stretcher. Ref alert after collapsing during Gonzaga-USC, Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. My feelings about my whistle are still the same. Referee Bert Smith got to hear ovation of a lifetime. Another year passed and my father finally allowed me to become a certified referee. Hes huffing-and-puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. He works his first game at age 24. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. No one knows where the clot came from, per the Star. 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. Areyougoing to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? Something doesnt add up. I could be having the worst day possible and I still lose myself in my game that day. This week, Gonzaga and Southern California faced off during the Elite Eight matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. 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. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Smith said, in a way, he was grateful the fall happened during the tournament and not when he was driving. 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. Bert Smith . Do we give an extra hug enough? Todays game is so fast and the players have such a high skill set that its very important to be in the best possible position to judge a play and make a call. 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. Fox News' Daniel Canova contributed to this report. he told the newspaper. 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. Soccer was now firmly in my blood and forever would help mold and shape me. I always say, you can question my judgment but dont question my effort. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all the cookies. 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. 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 . Smith revealed in a lengthy interview with the Indianapolis Star the fall may have saved him. Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with 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. Scary moment Gonzaga-USC referee Bert Smith COLLAPSES on court during Mar 31st, 2021. The NCAA even distributed a statement announcing the news: Smith was O.K. He goes to IU Health Methodist. Does Video Show Athletes Fainting Due to COVID-19 Vaccine? The confidence I feel on the field has spilled over into almost every aspect of my life, and it has propelled me to believe that any dream is within my grasp. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. the college basketball official who passed out during themen's NCAA Tournamentregional final between Gonzaga and Southern California, Latest NCAA Men's College Basketball Scores and Schedules, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I was seven years old and wanted to learn everything he learned each day when he got home from practice. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. 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. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. Replay Of Referee Bert Smith Collapsing Swift Highlights 22.9K subscribers Subscribe 393 Share 158K views 1 year ago Replay Of Referee Collapsing Basketball Official Collapses Show more Show. 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. 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. Look at his scowl. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. We are drawn together by a passion for officiating those outside the industry cant understand. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. That says something about that officiating fraternity.. Shes an important part of this story.. Why cant he catch his breath? Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? Referee Bert Smith collapses at NCAA men's tournament game between Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Hell just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes theyll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? My father was a basketball official and one of the founding members of the local IAABO board in Lowell, Mass. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.". 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. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash - Yahoo! The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. He mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. Something doesnt add up. Smith fell and was immediately attended to by medical personnel. "I mean, I was just shocked and scared for him, but I was able to stick my head in there a little bit and see that he was talking and coherent and tried to say a quick prayer for him and just wished him the best. 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. He goes to IU Health Methodist. 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. you knew we kicked it in together. A replacement official was added to the crew after Smith collapsed. Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. Trammel was at Methodist the night of March 30. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. They strapped me in! The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again. Youve probably seen him. 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. The unnecessary replay of Bert. 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.. Referee Bert Smith collapsed on the floor and had to be taken off on a stretcher. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. 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. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes,they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. 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!. Its a wonderful place to be. Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KUSA.com I do it because I love the ballgame. "It puts in perspective the value of each day, because we all go through our lives -- we're all guilty of it -- and we just live, right?" Bert Smith just now finished returning the text messages. Im letting the paint dry.. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. No matter what sport or level we work, we are bonded. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. Replay Of Referee Bert Smith Collapsing - YouTube Dr. NCAA Elite Eight match halted as referee Bert Smith collapses He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. 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. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. OK, so the night of March 29. Dr. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. And they found out. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; INDIANAPOLIS -- A referee collapsed early in the first half of Tuesday night's Elite Eight matchup between Gonzaga and USC . He doesnt remember passing out, only that things got foggy, he says, and that his breathing didnt feel normal. If you saw it, you understand. Add to that the extreme climate conditions that officials encounter and you quickly understand the importance of physical conditioning for officials. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. Whats that for? but never had a chance. The challenges of officiating are a great motivation and fun you gotta love it! Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? 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. Being mentally ready for the game is most important. They were pretty intense, man. Referee Bert Smith said he was 'tricked' into getting on the stretcher after his collapse . No, he said hed walk off under assistance. 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. View. 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. Now I have hundreds of brothers around the country. I didnt miss a game that season, because working the games was my therapy. That was the start of my passion for officiating basketball. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Whats he doing on his back? I love being part of the game. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Moves fast? " Bert is alert and stable and will not be transported to a hospital. Its not some routine youre doing day in and day out. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day. Then he becomes a basketball official. And they found out. You could talk to him during a game. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Here's where I'mtell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. 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.. Official collapses during NCAA basketball game | The Hill 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. Thats 1990. Game official Bert Smith collapsed Tuesday evening in the first half of the men's NCAA basketball game between No. 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. The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their careand understands their stretcher subterfuge. I love the smell of the grass when you first walk out on the field when you get to the stadium. At IU Health Methodist, the 56-year-old Smith was treated by Dr. Katie Trammel, "an important part of this story.". Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KVUE