Georgetown/Memphis

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

Same ref, as trail signals PC with one hand massaging his neck vigorously, whistle tweeting about twelve times, and hopping forward like a spring robin.

I saw this game too. I'm not a fan of Hightower. Most of the time his mechanics look clownish and unprofessional, just like the one you described.

With the supply of outstanding officials in D1, I can't understand how he draws so many high profile games.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

With the supply of outstanding officials in D1, I can't understand how he draws so many high profile games.

He's a known quantity for the coaches. "Better the devil you know..."

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I saw this game too. I'm not a fan of Hightower. Most of the time his mechanics look clownish and unprofessional, just like the one you described.

With the supply of outstanding officials in D1, I can't understand how he draws so many high profile games.

Because he gets plays right. He deals with coaches the right way and has their respect. He is from a different era of officiating and they are not getting rid of guys that are from that era just because their mechanics are not perfect.

And most of all the coaches would rather have Hightower (Burr, Welmer, Higgins....) on their games than some snot nosed kid they have never seen and does not know how to handle coaches or players properly.

It is that simple.

Peace

[tomegun]

Rut,

I agree with you but one of those guys you mentioned is going to take the path of least resistance each and every time. Everyone knows it and they like it, but it is still a fact.

Who would you rather have, Hightower who has "unique" mechanics and gets plays right or one of the top officials out west who has "unique" mechanics and doesn't get nearly as many plays right? I'll take my chances with Hightower - especially since coach Knight isn't coaching.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Because he gets plays right. He deals with coaches the right way and has their respect. He is from a different era of officiating and they are not getting rid of guys that are from that era just because their mechanics are not perfect.

And most of all the coaches would rather have Hightower (Burr, Welmer, Higgins....) on their games than some snot nosed kid they have never seen and does not know how to handle coaches or players properly.

It is that simple.

Could not agree more. And, not to completely hijack this thread, that is the same reason many college officials continue to work deep in the high school post-season, even though there are very good officials who work only high school games available. That's just the way it is, not just in high school, but in college, too.

[Clark Kent]

Jim Burr ,Ed Hightower ,Bryan Kersey were the three members of that crew