Trouble Bruin in the Pac-12 - & it Ain't UCLA!

[Andy]

I heard the ESPN report this morning....first time I had heard about this situation.

Ed Rush came and spoke to my officials group several years ago, when he was supervisor for the NBA. Nice guy, good speaker. He also made some references to players and coaches in the NBA at that time that were considered PITA and how the officials would "handle" them...everybody in the room knew it was in jest and funny. Just something officials do amongst themselves.

What pisses me off is that the "integrity of the officials" is being called into question. We get Sean Miller on TV saying "All I said was "He touched the ball" and I get a T for that..." We don't get to hear the officials side of the story and we won't ever get to.

[icallfouls]

Just heard on Dan Patrick, talking to Wichita State coach. Coach thinks he should be gone.

They are also talking about the targeting of coaches/players by some officials.

This train is picking up speed.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by icallfouls

Just heard on Dan Patrick, talking to Wichita State coach. Coach thinks he should be gone.

They are also talking about the targeting of coaches/players by some officials.

This train is picking up speed.

And everyone who ever had a grudge against Rush, or any other official, is going to come out with their own conspiracy theory about how the officials are out to get them.

For the record, this is why I never buy any conspiracy theory. Someone will always be disgruntled and speak out.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Andy

...What pisses me off is that the "integrity of the officials" is being called into question. We get Sean Miller on TV saying "All I said was "He touched the ball" and I get a T for that..." We don't get to hear the officials side of the story and we won't ever get to.

Miller's T was an irrelevant news story until Rush's comments came out. It's Rush's fault if Pac-12 officials take an intergrity hit.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Miller's T was an irrelevant news story until Rush's comments came out. It's Rush's fault if Pac-12 officials take an intergrity hit.

My point was that we will never know the whole story of why the T was issued. All we have is Miller's comments about what he said....we don't know what he may have left out or what he did or said that earned the T.

This story comes out and now he can play the "they're out to get me" card, when the T may have been rightly deserved.

If this official was one that didn't routinely issue T's, doesn't that make it seem like this T was earned? That's my take and I will support the officials.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by Andy

My point was that we will never know the whole story of why the T was issued. All we have is Miller's comments about what he said....we don't know what he may have left out or what he did or said that earned the T.

This story comes out and now he can play the "they're out to get me" card, when the T may have been rightly deserved.

If this official was one that didn't routinely issue T's, doesn't that make it seem like this T was earned? That's my take and I will support the officials.

Ill support the official too.

[MD Longhorn]

It doesn't surprise me that the majority here support the official or even Rush.

What does surprise me is the lack of understanding that our profession has taken a hit over this. THAT is what is wrong with what Rush said.

[TheOracle]

When one of the top 3 officials in the conference quits citing "personal differences with the direction of the officiating program in the Pac-12" prior to this incident going public, and anonymous sources spilling the beans to the media regarding Rush being a "bully", the organization is in big trouble not from just public perception, but from within as well. Rush tried to change the culture too quickly, and with his general lack of people skills, screwed himself. If an official made that comment? They'd be gone. Even worse from a supervisor. Integrity and character is defined by what you do when nobody is looking. Well, a disgruntled person pulled the curtain back on Ed Rush. So be it.

[johnny d]

Officiating basketball is not a profession for most, if not all, of the posters here. Since we do not make a living doing this it is an avocation. More importantly, this incident will have little to no impact on any of us as officials. The people in the stands already have their minds made up about the overall quality and integrity of officials before they walk into the gym. The people (fans, coaches, adminstrators, and players) involved in the game that are going to be problems to deal were going to be jackasses whether or not this incident ever came to light.

[icallfouls]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

It doesn't surprise me that the majority here support the official or even Rush.

What does surprise me is the lack of understanding that our profession has taken a hit over this. THAT is what is wrong with what Rush said.

My point exactly

[MD Longhorn]

VaTerp, are you a Court Club member?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

It doesn't surprise me that the majority here support the official or even Rush.

What does surprise me is the lack of understanding that our profession has taken a hit over this. THAT is what is wrong with what Rush said.

I do not think supporting the officials or not is the point. I just know in experience I have had that things are said behind closed doors and the public would be surprised if they heard those comments.

I also do not think the profession has not taken any more of a hit than anything else. Just go to a fan site and you would see a lot worse said about official for things that are assumed and never public when it comes to an accusation of a conspiracy. There are people in this world that will think everyone is out to get them or has some conspiracy going on and it will involve politicians, the media or officials. I do not think anything has been damaged by this anymore than other things.

Peace

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I also do not think the profession has not taken any more of a hit than anything else. ... I do not think anything has been damaged by this anymore than other things.

Maybe not "damaged", but you can bet EVERY coach from D1 down to U10 AAU is going to think "Those guys have it in for me" (just like they did for the Arizona coach) every time he/she gets rung up for acting like a jacka$$.

In some sense, this is worse than the Donaghy saga because he was involved with organized crime and betting...two concepts that were pretty unlikely and far removed from a high school game. "Targeting" a coach for inappropriate behavior is a concept that almost every HS coach can own and relate to. Next season should be interesting.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by Andy

My point was that we will never know the whole story of why the T was issued. All we have is Miller's comments about what he said....we don't know what he may have left out or what he did or said that earned the T.

This story comes out and now he can play the "they're out to get me" card, when the T may have been rightly deserved.

If this official was one that didn't routinely issue T's, doesn't that make it seem like this T was earned? That's my take and I will support the officials.

I think that speaks to BNR's point. Rush's comments make it seem just as likely that the official was compelled to give the T against Miller and it may not have been earned.

I don't really have an issue with Rush's comments in and of themselves but in this day and age you just can't make those comments at a meeting like that with so many ears. And it really does compromise the integrity of the officials in many people's views and, like it or not, that has some consequences. At the end of the day, I don't think Rush will, or necessarily, should survive this.

But the real issue I have is with whatever official leaked what was said in the meeting. As others mentioned it sounds like someone wasn't happy with their schedule or had some other axe to grind. But the comments were made and now that they're out there.......I don't know. I think they will end up costing Rush his job here. It's unfortunate but that's how it goes some times.

[VaTerp]

Email from Rush's son, Ed, Jr.:

Here at the Court Club, we have received several messages in regard to the recent news stories surrounding (and in support of) Ed T. Rush Sr.

In an effort to clear the air ... and to be open with our members, I thought it would be appropriate to address you directly to dispel any rumors and clear any doubt.

Here is the official report from Pac-12 conference commissioner Larry Scott,

"I can confirm that following the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament, we received a complaint that Pac-12 Coordinator of Officials Ed Rush offered game officials inappropriate incentives for being stricter with Pac-12 coaches," Commissioner Scott said on Monday.

"I consider the integrity of our officiating program to be of the highest importance and immediately ordered a review of the matter. Based on the review, we have concluded that while Rush made inappropriate comments that he now regrets during internal meetings that referenced rewards, he made the comments in jest and the officials in the room realized they were not serious offers. Following our review, we have discussed the matter with Rush, taken steps to ensure it does not happen again, and communicated our findings to all of our officials."

You can read the entire post on the PAC-12 website:
Pac-12 commissioner responds to officiating complaint > Pac-12 Conference > Basketball (M)

In other words, the comments were not intended to be serious. Nor were they taken as serious. The Pac-12 did not take them as serious. And nor should you.

In retrospect, having to do it over again, would Ed Rush Sr. have made those comments?

Of course not.

But then again as officials, we all make hundreds of comments a year in the locker room, which are never intended for the ear of the public media.

All I recommend is to keep a clear mind, think independently, and perhaps even place yourself in the situation.

Last, you should always remember that officials are together on everything that happens in the public eye. A bad call or a mis-spoken word can often bring a level of undeserved of discredit to the officiating community at large. These are things you will hear from the sidelines and from the stands.

How you react this situation will be your decision...and I am confident that you will let integrity be your guide.

As such, I encourage you to be in support of your fellow colleagues and to be circumspect when thinking through allegations from the nameless and anonymous.

Best,
Ed Rush Jr.

P.S. This letter was written by Ed Rush Jr, not Ed Rush Sr.
It was my initiative and was written by me alone. So, if
anyone other than a Court Club member is reading this (i.e.
anyone from the media), you do not have my permission to use
this article, nor to mistakenly quote Ed Rush Sr. from of this article.
We have the same name, but mine ends in "Jr." so be sure to
get that straight.

P.P.S. To our many Court Club members who have responded
with phone calls, letters, and texts of support, I offer my
sincerest thanks. You are why we do what we do...and I
appreciate you all more than you know.