NCAA ref Bert Smith (Buffalo) said to be doing well after collapse - WGRZ NCAA Referee Bert Smith Collapses On Court During Elite 8 Game, But . Hes been friends with Smith for 30 years. " Bert Smith, an official assigned to work the Gonzaga-Southern California regional final, left tonight's game after a medical issue ," the NCAA said in a statement. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Smiths pausing. Whats he doing on his back? Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done?
Bad news for ACC basketball: One of the sport's best referees is Look at that picture again. We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. As a child, I know that I enjoyed every minute of it. 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 OK after collapsing on sideline during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight NCAA Ref Bert Smith Says Blood Clot in Lung Caused Collapse at - TMZ But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Smiths pausing. Nobody can say. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. "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?" But do we say I love you enough?
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KVUE I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? I love being part of the game. or redistributed. I also love the fact that no game is ever the same and allows us the ability to make constant improvement. The minute my stripes are on, Im a part of a crew not an official with a disability.
Video: Referee Collapses In Scary Scene During Gonzaga-USC Game 1 seed Gonzaga and No. 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. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Youve probably seen him.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KGW Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors were reportedly unsure whether the clot had anything to do with COVID-19. Dr. Dr. Legal Statement.
Referee Bert Smith in Stable Condition After Collapsing During Gonzaga 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 Officials Share Fitness Regimens - Referee.com This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin.
Ncaa Referee Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images 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. 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. 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. Youve probably seen him. The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. What happens next leads to a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. They were supposed to just check my head and spine for a concussion (he didnt have one, by the way), says Smith. Officiating at the professional level requires commitment to conditioning.
Does Video Show Athletes Fainting Due to COVID-19 Vaccine? Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Hes huffing and puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. This week, Gonzaga and Southern California faced off during the Elite Eight matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. I will, he says. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. The support and love was just overwhelming. Just 4 minutes after tipoff in the Elite Eight matchup, Bert Smith crashed to the floor in a terrifying scene -- triggering team trainers and other medical personnel to race to his aid. Two hours later, she returned into the room with the test results. Nobody can say. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "But do we say 'I love you' enough? " Bert is alert and stable and will not be transported to a hospital. The whole thing is mysterious, because hes a sculpture of a man, 6-3 and 195 pounds. Read More Referee Bert Smith collapses on the court during the first half of an Elite 8 game between Gonzaga and Southern California during the first half of an Elite 8 game in the NCAA men's . More than a week later, he hasnt watched the moment. Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. 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. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. If youve ever experienced a buzzer-beater, thats what Im talking about.
NCAA Referee has SCARY COLLAPSE! Doctor examines WHY?? Fox News' Daniel Canova contributed to this report. Bert Smith. Smith is back home in Kentucky with his wife, Jacquie, and his grandson, Karter. Copyright 2022 Referee Enterprises Inc. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. He started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and. Turns out, it was something worse. Devika Pawar. Everything was normal.
NCAA Tournament fall didn't kill referee Bert Smith. It saved his life. I love officiating because of the challenge. Earlier: Tonight's Elite Eight game between Gonzaga and USC was stopped momentarily after veteran referee Bert Smith collapsed on the court. 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 . We Shouldn't Have Watched It Twice. Working a Friday night high school football game gives me goose bumps. People in the building, and I was one of them, thought he was dead. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.". No matter what sport or level we work, we are bonded. Officiating for me has always been the ultimate escape. 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. 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 flat and unmoving, his eyes open and unseeing, a Gonzaga trainer frantically waving for help. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. 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. He said no. He works his first game at age 24. At the core of the reasons why I love to referee is a passion for the sport of soccer. Bert Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. See Bert Smith? Brett Smith, an NCAA college basketball referee, collapsed during a game. Its hard for me to talk about now. It puts me in the zone! Smith revealed in a lengthy interview with the Indianapolis Star the fall may have saved him. Gaining the best sight line on the ice requires officials to be strong skaters, agile and physically fit. It allows me the privilege to do something I love, being part of the greatest game, mens college basketball. Smith told the publication.
March Madness roundup: Gonzaga, UCLA advance to Final Four When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. The NCAA announced later in the night that Smith was "alert and stable" and would not be transported to a hospital. It took me a few days, he says. 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. Now he wonders. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. 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. Its the best seat in the house. 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. Do you know you went viral? she playfully asked. Referee Bert Smith's fall in men's NCAA Tournament game didn't kill him. 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. I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. 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. Each week, Id tag along with dad and his crew to whatever game they had scheduled. I could be involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. And they heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. Something doesnt add up. Something doesnt add up. And when next season arrives, you can expect to find Bert Smith on the hardwood. Check this out. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. It has helped me to handle stressful situations and taught me how to remain calm in the midst of the storms of life. Subscribe to get the Referee.com Review every week plus periodic free training and special offers on the sports you officiate. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it.
2021 ACC men's basketball tournament - Wikipedia I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. I just cannot erase the pleasure from my face. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? "He's a great official, great person," Few said after his team's 85-66 win to advance to the Final Four. 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. Smith collapsed just over four minutes into the Elite Eight game between USC. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. Thats his wife of 33 years. Officials figure they run at least four miles during a game, and its not a jog but a series of sprints. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. When I am out on the field working a game I am mentally and physically completely focused on doing the job right. 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.
Referee alert after collapsing on sideline during Gonzaga - ESPN.com Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused his fall at NCAA men Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. 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. Do we give an extra hug enough? The whole thing is mysterious, because hes a sculpture of a man, 6-3 and 195 pounds. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again. For someone like me who has been in the game for a long time, there is a certain level of expectation on the part of players, coaches and my supervisors. The action was moving away from his baseline position after a Gonzaga steal, but he said he couldn't move or catch his breath.
Referee 'alert and stable' after collapsing during - oregonlive This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Moves fast? Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash Sports A Referee Collapsed at an NCAA Basketball Game. Smith was admitted into Methodist and put on blood thinners. All rights reserved. Add to that the extreme climate conditions that officials encounter and you quickly understand the importance of physical conditioning for officials. Eades, who at age 56 has worked three Final Fours and. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. He felt wobbly and the next thing he remembers seeing is the ceiling of the stadium. He goes to IU Health Methodist. 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!. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him.
Bad news for ACC basketball: One of the sport's best referees is Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. So was Karter. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. Smiths pausing. Theres no room in your head for thinking about cutting the grass, what you need from the store or how you have to finish your taxes. I could be having the worst day possible and I still lose myself in my game that day. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". In a scary moment, Smith passed out cold during a recent Elite Eight game. Knowing how to communicate with players, coaches and officials when the game is on the line requires great skill and finesse. My father was a basketball official and one of the founding members of the local IAABO board in Lowell, Mass. Its not some routine youre doing day in and day out. Where did it come from? *. 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. If you saw it, you understand.
And they found out. They strapped me in! You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. Michael Conroy/AP. 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.
NCAA ref Bert Smith says on-court collapse saved his life - Yahoo! You cant get any closer to the ballgame. Whats that for? Now I have hundreds of brothers around the country. a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson.