Bert Smith. A former employee at Avis Car Rental, he dropped that job to officiate full time in 2010. By Bert Smith, NCAA D-I men's basketball official from Florence, Ky. Bert Smith just now finished returning the text messages. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. Now he wonders. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. I have known that I wanted to referee long before I owned my first whistle. He runs. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith lies on the court after collapsing during the Gonzaga-USC men's game in the Elite Eight. Add to that the extreme climate conditions that officials encounter and you quickly understand the importance of physical conditioning for officials. Nobody can say. Check this out. He wasnt one of those guys you couldnt talk to. Dr. Katie Trammel, hes wanting me to know, may have saved his life. Smith was admitted into Methodist and put on blood thinners. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? 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. Do we do the things with our family and friends that have value to them? Thats his wife of 33 years. You could talk to him during a game. There were 500 of them. That's where he learned his scary fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. When you live something like I did, it hits you square in the eyes that you really have to value each day.. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. Hes worked 17 NCAA Tournaments. He plans to return as soon as he can to the court, and that includes ref camps this summer. First as an athlete growing up in Buffalo, a high school small forward, receiver and 400-meter runner, then some junior college basketball. She said: I got the answer to the question. 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. Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. Why is he lying down near the Gonzaga bench? After his nationally televised fall, Smith had more than 500 texts, emails and calls to return, and by Wednesday hed returned them all. 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 thrust, a dribble, a power shot I love officiating because it has a Zen aspect to it: for those two hours, you are completely focused on the task at hand. Further examination revealed Smith, 56, had a blood clot in his lung, the Indianapolis St Dr. For me, it didnt seem like a red flag, Smith says. See Bert Smith? Referee Bert Smith collapses at NCAA men's tournament game between We get him off the floor out of sight and he just loses it, Fox recalls. 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. They were pretty intense, man. Well get there, but right now were moving too fast. Officiating for me has always been the ultimate escape. That road includes blood thinners and a trip next week to see a nearby doctor to strategize his future treatment. Heres where Im tell him about that Kelly Wilkinson picture, how he looks so angry on the stretcher. I say, Whats going on, man? And he goes, Bert, you passed out. See Bert Smith? 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. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. It puts me in the zone! I know his wife is going to be going bananas. What happened to ref in Gonzaga game? Referee Bert Smith carried on 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! Trammel was at Methodistthe night of March 30. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. More than a week later, he hasnt watched the moment. 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. 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. Youve probably seen him. Its deep, and its contagious. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Nobody can say. NCAA ref Bert Smith reveals what led to scary fall during men's I also love the fact that no game is ever the same and allows us the ability to make constant improvement. Official collapses during NCAA tournament, wheeled off court on 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!. By age 11, I was organizing all the neighborhood kids in pick up games and by age 14, I got certified to referee and started coaching. Trammel had seen the video. Collins and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, for their support and kindness to me.. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. Moves fast? . Why I Love Officiating - Referee.com - Referee.com & Referee Magazine Im happy I did it around a bunch of people who had the ability to help me.. Referee Bert Smith collapses on sideline during Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight game (NCD) By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk March 30, 2021 at 8:58 pm CDT Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. NCAA ref Bert Smith says on-court collapse saved his life - Yahoo! All rights reserved. It pushes you to be on top of your game. Look at that picture again. 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. Bert Smith told the . Success! You could talk to him during a game. NCAA basketball official Bert Smith hasn't watched the moment that might have saved his life. Everything was normal. Whats he doing on his back? Hes a motivational speaker and diversity recruiter in addition to being an NCAA referee, and I imagine hes awfully good at both. Official collapses during NCAA men's tournament game 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In a scary moment, Smith passed out cold during a recent Elite Eight 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 . 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. Officiating is similar to playing the game full of emotion, both highs and lows. Knowing the rulebook and being able to execute decisions in a split-second. And without any rhyme or reason, the place where I feel the most at home, pacified and comfortable is on that soccer field. He said no. CNN . Does Video Show Athletes Fainting Due to COVID-19 Vaccine? 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. A pulmonary embolism. 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!. 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. Per the Star, he was treated at the stadium for two hours with vital checks on pulse, blood pressure and oxygen level that came back normal. But do we say I love you enough? Active referees are listed in bold. Soccer was now firmly in my blood and forever would help mold and shape me. Referee Bert Smith said he was 'tricked' into getting on the stretcher after his collapse . Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused fall at NCAA tourney They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. He said the fall was related to a blood clot in his lung. Hes feeling wobbly, so wobbly. 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. 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. 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? a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. I always say, you can question my judgment but dont question my effort. Smith tested positive for the coronavirus in August, but doctors cant say whether theres a correlation between COVID-19 and his blood clot. " Bert is alert and stable and will not be transported to a hospital. Then he becomes a basketball official. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien. There were no signs in the preceding days of this happening, even when he was running up and down three flights of stairs, with a mask, the day before. 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. Subscribe to get the Referee.com Review every week plus periodic free training and special offers on the sports you officiate. Youve probably seen him. Look at those crossed arms. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The 56-year-old veteran referee was carried off the court on a stretcher. Replay Of Referee Bert Smith Collapsing - YouTube Moves fast, this guy. 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. Its deep, and its contagious. Hed rather take the stairs, and Bert Smith doesnt walk them. He rarely uses the elevator. They strapped me in! 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. 6 seed University of Southern California and No. I joined a rec team and Mike spent hours showing me how to play. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of that and hasnt seen a replay of his fall, though he says hes almost ready to watch. Bert Smith doesnt remember any of thatand hasn't seen areplay of his fall, though he says he's almost ready to watch. You went down because you had a blood clot in your lung.. Rules knowledge is a component of it. April 9, 2021, 9:39 AM. The passion and emotion of the contestants can never sway the judgment of the crew. If they had done that and said, Mr. He agreed. Medical personnel at Lucas Oil Stadium treated Smith, who later went to a local hospital. 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. . Within seconds, theyd strapped the seated Smith onto it. Referee Bert Smith says blood clot in lung caused his fall at NCAA men 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. I could be involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. 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. Turns out, it was something worse. by Joseph Choi - 03/30/21 9:28 PM ET. This season he worked about 90 games, including dates in the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference. He works his first game at age 24. They were pretty intense, man. My father and older brother both became soccer referees, and I had to watch them referee every Saturday in agony waiting for my turn. Bert Smith NCAA men's basketball official, 27th season My fitness is important to me. Earlier: Tonight's Elite Eight game between Gonzaga and USC was stopped momentarily after veteran referee Bert Smith collapsed on the court. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. I lost it, too. Referee Bert Smith's fall in men's NCAA Tournament game didn't kill him 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. The passion I felt when I played is still there for me when I officiate and I can feel that passion on the court. So was Karter. They suggest he go to the hospital to get examined for a concussion, just to be sure. . INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. 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. Bert Smith does. Veteran college basketball referee Bert Smith collapsed on the floor during the first half of Tuesday night's Elite Eight game between No. OK, so the night of March 29. Thats 1990. Once hospitalizedat first, he didnt even plan to godoctors discovered a troubling issue: a blood clot in his lungs. I hate the fact I passed out in the Elite Eight, he says, but you know what? Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. A replacement official was added to the crew after Smith collapsed. He rarely uses the elevator. He did not go to the hospital. It kept me going.. Smith's fall to the ground. 56-year-old Smith was officiating the Gonzaga vs. USC matchup on March 30 when he collapsed to the hardwood a few minutes into the game. What happens next leads to a picture caught by IndyStar photographer Kelly Wilkinson. Nobody can say. 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? Bert Smith, Raymond Styons. INDIANAPOLIS Bert Smith hasnt seen the moment that made him famous. If hes going to walk, might as well make it a long one. Turns out, that night probably saved Bert Smiths life. 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 . Knowing the rules and how to implement them fairly, evenly and within the guidelines of accepted philosophy is important. Also he mentions NCAA officiating coordinator J.D. I appreciate that officiating has contributed lots of exercise and has helped to keep me in good health. She said: I got the answer to the question. There was an error submitting your subscription. Hes working Gonzaga-USC the next day, and Bert and his crew are staying in one of the NCAA bubble hotels, Le Meridien.