You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. Bert Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life. At the core of the reasons why I love to referee is a passion for the sport of soccer. Now check your email to confirm your subscription to the Referee.com Review. 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 challenges are different for each level of refereeing and the emotional payoffs vary, but the reason for being in the game is the same: Passion for soccer runs through my veins. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? The NCAA announced later in the night that Smith was "alert and stable" and would not be transported to a hospital. 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. Gregg Doyel Indianapolis Star 0:00 0:56 INDIANAPOLIS - Bert Smith hasn't seen the moment that. A former employee at Avis Car Rental, he dropped that job to officiate full time in 2010. And they found out. I love being part of the game. I just cannot erase the pleasure from my face. Something doesnt add up. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. 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. 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. Smith fell and was immediately attended to by medical personnel. According to the Indianapolis Star, Smith was placed on blood thinners and two days later the clot was gone. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. Smith said, in a way, he was grateful the fall happened during the tournament and not when he was driving. Youve probably seen him. Smith, whod driven a rental car into town after working the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, was driven to his home in Florence, Ky., by Eric Lowe, a Central Indiana-based referee. And they heard the sound his head made I heard it, too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. Here's where I'mtell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. The support and love was just overwhelming. The whole thing is mysterious, because hes a sculpture of a man, 6-3 and 195 pounds. Here's where I'mtelling him about thatpicture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Smith abruptly collapsed during an Elite Eight game between No. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? 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. Why cant he catch his breath? Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me..
Official collapses during NCAA basketball game | The Hill So was Karter. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. He'll just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes,they'll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator.
Official collapses during NCAA tournament, wheeled off court on Thats 1990. One of those people was Mike Fox, an independent contractor hired by the NCAA to help run the tournament and a basketball official himself. The problems of the world do not exist when I am working a game. Bert Smith does. When hes telling a funny story, which happens quite a bit, Bert Smith talks quickly. Further examination revealed Smith, 56, had a blood clot in his lung, the Indianapolis St 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. For now, hell continue to return new messagesstill flooding inand relax while, yes, watching golfs first major championship. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused his fall at NCAA men Officiating at the professional level requires commitment to conditioning. Note: This article is archival in nature.
March Madness roundup: Gonzaga, UCLA advance to Final Four You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. 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 . Youve probably seen him. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. There is no better feeling then walking back into the locker room with your partners and knowing that we worked together as a team and that we gave everything we had for those 48 minutes. 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. A few hours later, his officiating friends joined him at the hotel and suggested he go to the hospital to be evaluated for a concussion, just in case. Look at those crossed arms. Bert Smith, the NCAA official who fainted during an Elite Eight matchup between Gonzaga and USC last week, said Friday he collapsed over a blood clot in his lung. 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.
Thats his wife of 33 years. He runs. You could talk to him during a game. I lost it, too. Thats his wife of 33 years. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. Bert Smith, the NCAA official who fainted during an Elite Eight matchup between Gonzaga and USC last week, said Friday he collapsed over a blood clot in his lung.
Referee Bert Smith collapses during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight game - FanSided 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. The hugs were pretty intense, Smith says, and hes talking slowly again.
March Madness: NCAA Ref Collapses During Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight Game A replacement official was added to the crew after Smith collapsed. Do we give an extra hug enough? When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. For the following few years, I officiated some while pursuing my masters in nursing and then my doctorate.
He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. 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.
200+ "Bert Smith" profiles | LinkedIn Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. Immediately after falling, Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd ran to him and the bench waved for doctors. Just over four minutes into the game between USC and Gonzaga, Bert . 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. All rights reserved. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. And how did the court get so blurry all of a sudden, like someone smeared it with . Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. So was Karter. They were supposed to just check my head and spine for a concussion (he didnt have one, by the way), says Smith. All Rights Reserved. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Smith was admitted into Methodist and put on blood thinners. It pushes you to be on top of your game. That's where he learned his scary fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. Whats he doing on his back?
NCAA Tournament official Bert Smith collapses during Elite Eight game The passion and emotion of the contestants can never sway the judgment of the crew. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. By 1993 hes an NCAA Division I official. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. Dr. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. Its because I was telling the doctor: You little SOB, you tricked me!. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. The thing I enjoy most about NHL officiating is the challenge each game presents. After completing my doctorate, I returned to officiating. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. NCAA Referee Bert Smith Collapses During March Madness. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. 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 . You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. 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. Look at his scowl. The clot restricted enough oxygen to Smith that he passed out during the game. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again.
NCAA Tournament referee Bert Smith collapse during game saved his life Ncaa Referee Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing.
NCAA ref Bert Smith (Buffalo) said to be doing well after collapse - WGRZ " Bert is alert and stable and will not be transported to a hospital. I had grown up playing the sport, but for some unknown reason, playing was just not satisfying enough. Now Bert Smith is laughing again. So was Karter. Referee Bert Smith collapsed on the floor and had to be taken off on a stretcher. Legal Statement. I get to watch the Masters.. Having to make those decisions in a split second is a challenge I enjoy. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Hed been duped. That says something about that officiating fraternity.. Katie Trammel, he tells me slowly, then repeats her name, then spells it. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. 6 seed USC. Nobody can say. View the profiles of professionals named "Bert Smith" on LinkedIn. Working a Friday night high school football game gives me goose bumps. He rarely uses the elevator. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Managing a game and ensuring equity in your rulings between two talented, highly motivated teams is a great challenge. 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. 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. And they found out. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Why cant he catch his breath?
Why I Love Officiating - Referee.com - Referee.com & Referee Magazine I'm committed to it year round. Moves fast, this guy. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. People often ask me how I maintain a smile throughout almost every game, however it is quite unintentional. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. 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. 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. You are expected to be perfect and improve after that. 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.. Everyones joking with him now. Check this out. As the doctor says: Sometimes you dont get a red flag. 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. Do you know you went viral? she playfully asked. Bert Smith was involved in a controversial ending to a Kansas and Iowa State game that led to the Big 12 Conference punishing Smith for a call that cost the Cyclones a win against the Jayhawks. I know his wife is going to be going bananas. As a person with a disability, Im pleased to be a part of a profession that doesnt discriminate against what I cant do and emphasizes what I can. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. Im letting the paint dry.. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
Referee Bert Smith's fall in men's NCAA Tournament game didn't kill him The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Smith was taken off the . We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. Moves fast? He gets exercise any time he can and officiates around 90 games a year for the NCAA. Fox News Flash top headlines for April 10. He goes to IU Health Methodist. It was a scary moment as an audible thud was heard throughout Lucas Oil Stadium, and the official was taken off the court on a stretcher, though he was awake and alert. Medical personnel at Lucas Oil Stadium treated Smith, who later went to a local hospital. There were 500 of them. 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. Brett Smith, an NCAA college basketball referee, collapsed during a game. Hell just carry Karter on his shoulders, and yes theyll use the stairs when everyone else rides the escalator. Being mentally ready for the game is most important. I joined a rec team and Mike spent hours showing me how to play. Before I started officiating I had a sister who lived in another county. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. He plans to return as soon as he can to the court, and that includes ref camps this summer. The 56-year-old veteran referee was carried off the court on a stretcher. But do we say I love you enough? 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. When you are ready mentally you work with confidence. The article is made available for educational use by individuals. Thats normal to huff and puff, right? For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. Whats he doing on his back? Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? 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. A referee has collapsed on court during the opening stages of an NCAA Elite Eight basketball match in Indiana. Given time that night on March 30, those around SmithNCAA doctors, his wife and colleaguesthought it best if he at least visited IU Methodist Hotel in Indianapolis to check his head and spine. 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 . Smith is one of the longest tenured and most respected officials in college hoops. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. Smith revealed in a lengthy interview with the Indianapolis Star the fall may have saved him. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. Shes an important part of this story.. I could be having the worst day possible and I still lose myself in my game that day. He rarely uses the elevator. 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 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. Everything was normal. 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. He's grumpy in the now-famous photo of him on it and told Doyel he was tricked. It puts me in the zone! I also love the fact that no game is ever the same and allows us the ability to make constant improvement. You have to be in excellent physical condition in order to be in the correct position to rule on plays. He runs. Then again, isnt that what Bert Smith has always done? I always say, you can question my judgment but dont question my effort. 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. Smith told the publication. 29/08/21, Germany (unknown age) Unnamed Germany C-League Dillenburg a player from Hirzenhain collapses, game . Written By. It goes: You scored, Billy By 1993hes an NCAA Division I official. Do we give an extra hug enough? Dr. After all, he hit the court hard, so hard that it left a giant bump on the back of his head. Smiths pausing. Thats 1990. They strapped me in! The board presents an award in his name each year to the area high school that exemplifies sportsmanship. Hes been friends with Smith for 30 years. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. Bert Smith, the official who collapsed during the Elite Eight, believes his fall could have saved his life. a thrust, a dribble, a power shot Devika Pawar. He goes to IU Health Methodist. Referee Bert Smith said he was 'tricked' into getting on the stretcher after his collapse . Oh, Ill be back. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago.
NCAA Elite Eight match halted as referee Bert Smith collapses 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. Smiths pausing.
You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. ", 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. Bert Smith NCAA men's basketball official, 27th season My fitness is important to me. In a scary moment, Smith passed out cold during a recent Elite Eight game. No matter what age, talent, salary, race or sex, you must give your all. 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. Ref alert after collapsing during Gonzaga-USC, Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. 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.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at NCAA men's tournament game between He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. The three officials for the game who are in question are Bert Smith, James Breeding and John Gaffney. We Shouldn't Have Watched It Twice.
NCAA ref Bert Smith says on-court collapse saved his life - Yahoo! " 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. A pulmonary embolism. The challenges of officiating are a great motivation and fun you gotta love it! And they heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court.
Official collapses, wheeled off court on stretcher from NCAA tournament Oh, and hes also been returning those messages. He was surrounded by medical professionals and eventually was helped on to a stretcher. 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. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. He said the fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. Referee Fall in Gonzaga USC NCAA Game TBS Replay Gets Backlash Sports A Referee Collapsed at an NCAA Basketball Game. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. 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. Earlier: Tonight's Elite Eight game between Gonzaga and USC was stopped momentarily after veteran referee Bert Smith collapsed on the court. When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. Smith, have a good night, I thought they had done a good job, he says, but because she wanted to know why I fell, we got the answer. Check this out.. Hes huffing and puffing a little, but hes running stairs in a mask. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. OK, so the night of March 29. She said: I got the answer to the question. Knowing how to communicate with players, coaches and officials when the game is on the line requires great skill and finesse. Where did it come from? After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. Jacquie was waiting at the door. 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. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. 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? When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. They were pretty intense, man. Smith's fall to the ground. Smith, 56, regained consciousness, and he was alert as he was carried off the floor on a stretcher. Mar 31st, 2021.
March Madness referee Bert Smith collapses during USC-Gonzaga We are drawn together by a passion for officiating those outside the industry cant understand. The scary moment was caughtlive during the Bulldogs-Trojans matchup. Hes not wobbly, no blurry vision, nothing. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them?
Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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 . In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Smith says the fall and subsequent battery of testing was a life-saving ordeal. Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Katie Trammels stock is up with me in the Smith family book, he says, laughing. I love the challenge of being in complete control of your emotions, maintaining the calmness and the challenge to make a split-second decision in front of 60,000-100,000 screaming fans and knowing you have six crewmates that have your back in the heat of the battle. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them.