*. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. Your heart begins to race, the adrenaline begins to run rampant throughout your body, the excitement takes over as you look around the stadium; you take a couple of deep breaths and then everything becomes so clear. Bunch of sixth-graders at Garfield Park in Chicago. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. By 1993hes an NCAA Division I official.
NCAA Ref Bert Smith Says Blood Clot in Lung Caused Collapse at - TMZ Knowing how to communicate with players, coaches and officials when the game is on the line requires great skill and finesse. If you saw it, you understand. You blacked out., I look to my right, and I see a stretcher. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. Within seconds, theyd strapped the seated Smith onto it. Youve probably seen him. 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. Thats 1990.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KGW Subscribe to get the Referee.com Review every week plus periodic free training and special offers on the sports you officiate. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. Now Bert Smith is laughing again.
Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused fall at NCAA tourney My uniforms were enormous, and I stepped on my flag but I felt as big as the world! 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.
A pulmonary embolism. He plans to return as soon as he can to the court, and that includes ref camps this summer. Everyones joking with him now. Medical personnel take care of a NCAA referee after he fell on the court during the first half during the game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the USC Trojans in the Elite Eight of the 2021 NCAA . by Joseph Choi - 03/30/21 9:28 PM ET. Trammel was at Methodistthe night of March 30. He works his first game at age 24. You know the rules, have studied the pregame intel and use your experience to go read and react to the actions. All rights reserved. Might as well walk fast, too. Hes on the stretcher, and hes not even a little bit happy about it. It and she have made me a better person. You meet people persons, individual persons, team players and egomaniacs. Each week, Id tag along with dad and his crew to whatever game they had scheduled. Its a wonderful place to be. 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. 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. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. Whats that for? Moves fast, this guy.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KARE After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. Bert Smith. Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. Their goalie tried leaping to his left Immediately after falling, Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd ran to him and the bench waved for doctors. 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!. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. No one knows where the clot came from, per the Star. Knowing the rules and how to implement them fairly, evenly and within the guidelines of accepted philosophy is important. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. [1] It was the 68th annual edition of the tournament. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. And they heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. But slow down, OK? For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says.
Official collapses during NCAA basketball game | The Hill Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. CNN . Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. There is no greater place to be than on a softball or baseball field. Just over four minutes into the game between USC and Gonzaga, Bert . And they found out. 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!. In a scary moment, Smith passed out cold during a recent Elite Eight game. 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. Mar 31st, 2021. She sits down next to the bed, Smith continues, and she says: I saw your fall tonight. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. Scary video shows the ref falling backwards and hitting his head on the hardwood floor just four minutes into the March Madness game as other officials pause the match and run to his aid. Being part of the game is a big reason. "But do we say 'I love you' enough?
Video: Referee Collapses In Scary Scene During Gonzaga-USC Game He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. 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? He mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. 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. They released him to return to his hotel. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. 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 . 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. I love that we are the only participants who are not allowed to fail. The thing I enjoy most about NHL officiating is the challenge each game presents. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at@GreggDoyelStar. 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!. The doctor says, Thats what Im taking you out on., I said: Listen, Doc, Im walking out of here. According to kenpom.com, the Gonzaga-USC game was the 70th matchup Smith worked this season. He said he'll be back officiating next season. a thrust, a dribble, a power shot This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. A former employee at Avis Car Rental, he dropped that job to officiate full time in 2010. Look at that picture again. Jacquie was waiting at the door. You dont know where that clot was going next, he says. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. I looked at him and said, Oh no you didnt. It was fun and stress-free officiating, and I was able to help pay for college. Im ready to get after it, he says.
Bert Smith: Blood clot caused NCAA tournament ref collapse - Sports Theres video of me with my arms crossed on the stretcher, he says. Another was former Indiana State coach Greg Lansing. When you are ready mentally you work with confidence. There were 500 of them. Trammel had seen the video. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all the cookies. 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. 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. I love officiating for the same reason I love my wife. Whats he doing on his back? Has it cued up on his iPad and everything. He agreed. His wife has seen it once, and shell never watch it again. I still play in a mens league, have refereed more than 700 NCAA games and am in my 17th season as an MLS official. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. 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. Do we give an extra hug enough? Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? The whole thing is mysterious, because hes a sculpture of a man, 6-3 and 195 pounds. At IU Health Methodist, the 56-year-old Smith was treated by Dr. Katie Trammel, "an important part of this story.". He started on the lowest levels as a youth league official in 1990, began working Division I games in 1993 and. Look at those crossed arms. 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. "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?"
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. And without any rhyme or reason, the place where I feel the most at home, pacified and comfortable is on that soccer field. 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. Referee Bert Smith said he was 'tricked' into getting on the stretcher after his collapse . 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.
Referee Bert Smith in Stable Condition After Collapsing During Gonzaga Soccer was now firmly in my blood and forever would help mold and shape me.
NCAA Referee has SCARY COLLAPSE! Doctor examines WHY?? I love the smell of the grass when you first walk out on the field when you get to the stadium.
Referee Bert Smith collapses at Gonzaga-USC March Madness game - KUSA.com In 1973, my older brother Mike introduced the game to our family by joining the high school team as a freshman.
Referee collapses during USC-Gonzaga Elite Eight matchup - ABC7 Los Angeles Smith fell and was immediately attended to by medical personnel. Do we give an extra hug enough? Are you going to tell Bert Smith hes out of shape? 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. He didn't have a headache or blurry vision. 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. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. 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. 6 seed USC. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. But do we say I love you enough? Officiating for me has always been the ultimate escape. 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 . Some are destined for greatness, some for failure.
Don't let anti-vaxxers lie to you about Damar Hamlin like they did with When hes saying something serious, though, he slows down. I could be involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. We are drawn together by a passion for officiating those outside the industry cant understand. All rights reserved. Thats normal to huff-and-puff, right? After completing my doctorate, I returned to officiating. A scary moment interrupted the Elite Eight on Tuesday, as NCAA official Bert Smith abruptly collapsed during a game between No.
Official collapses during NCAA tournament, wheeled off court on And they heard the sound his head made I heard it too, 30 rows away when it slammed onto the court. 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. Medical officials tending to him on the floor insisted he be transported off the floor by the stretcher. Two days later, clot gone, he was discharged. he told the newspaper. And they found out. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day..
, March Madness referee Bert Smith collapses during USC-Gonzaga I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? 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. I didnt miss a game that season, because working the games was my therapy. Hes got a wife, Jacquie, of 32 years, two daughters and two more grandchildren. Gallows humor, you call it, and its pretty funny, how Bert Smiths buddies tease him. I always thought he was a good dude, Lansing says. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. 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. 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. Written By. Gregg Doyel Indianapolis Star 0:00 0:56 INDIANAPOLIS - Bert Smith hasn't seen the moment that. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. That was the start of my passion for officiating basketball. Its the best seat in the house. Bert Smith told the publication the fall might have saved his life. He was officiating the Elite Eight matchup last month in Indianapolis when he suddenly collapsed near the Gonzaga bench. Dr. Thats his wife of 33 years. Do you know you went viral? she playfully asked. They strapped me in! And they found out. Sometimes it just hits you. I dont know which bucket Im in.. People often ask me how I maintain a smile throughout almost every game, however it is quite unintentional. 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.
Why I Love Officiating - Referee.com - Referee.com & Referee Magazine 2023 ABG-SI LLC. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. No matter what age, talent, salary, race or sex, you must give your all. Then he becomes a basketball official.
NCAA Officials Share Fitness Regimens - Referee.com You are expected to be perfect and improve after that. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I realized, even back then, how fun and rewarding each officiating experience was for the crew. 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. 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. Smith, who'ddriven 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.
Official collapses during NCAA men's tournament game Bert Smith (56) NCAA men's basketball Referee collapsed due to a blood clot in his lung during a tournament News Story. Here's where I'mtell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. It took me a few days, he says. Smith collapsed just over four minutes into the Elite Eight game between USC. It is equivalent to flying an airplane, skydiving, skiing a black diamond, anything that heightens all your senses. 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. Moves fast, this guy. 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. Follow every game: Latest NCAA Men's College Basketball Scores and Schedules. That road includes blood thinners and a trip next week to see a nearby doctor to strategize his future treatment. 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. Something doesnt add up. 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 . ", BAYLOR BEATS GONZAGA FOR FIRST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Smith was taken off the . Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. I love being part of the game. I love officiating because it has a Zen aspect to it: for those two hours, you are completely focused on the task at hand. Usually I will leave the venue with a different outlook. 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. Why cant he catch his breath? The doctors who cared for him at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pat Kersey and Luke Berghoff; he appreciates their care, and understands their stretcher subterfuge. She said: I got the answer to the question. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". More than a week later, he hasnt watched the moment. 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? Check this out. 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. No, he said hed walk off under assistance. Over the years Ive been blessed with so many highlights but have found a simple phrase that sums it all up: Special Soccer Moments, derived from the poem June Goal, written by my Dad in 1976. They insisted more. It could have been a red flag, he said doctors told him, but then again "sometimes it just hits you.".
Official collapses, wheeled off court on stretcher from NCAA tournament Its deep, and its contagious. 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. Who parks in the farthest spot from the entrance to Kroger? 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. What I mean is that we are the upholders of the integrity of the game. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC.