Anyone see this?

SCalScoreKeeper · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 12:43pm

Saw this on SI.com this morning.Guy reffing basketball game couldn't get off his cell phone during game

http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015...ll-middle-game

Rich · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 01:05pm

"Hi, Oak Harbor Schools here. We did some checking on this. Turns out the ref was calling his supervisor to report that a referee was needed at a crosstown game with 44 kids and no officials. Poor judgment to call during the game? Yes, but his intention was to help the other school. The referee organization has confirmed the call and is investigating the incident."

BryanV21 · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 01:08pm

There's one official that probably wouldn't work another game with or for me. Unless the call was justified, like Rich just said.

Mark Padgett · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 01:30pm

I thought he was ordering a pizza for halftime.

BTW - if he'd gotten off the phone, he might have noticed one of the white team players was wearing a black undershirt with the sleeves hanging out.

Freddy · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 01:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

"Hi, Oak Harbor Schools here. We did some checking on this. Turns out the ref was calling his supervisor to report that a referee was needed at a crosstown game with 44 kids and no officials. Poor judgment to call during the game? Yes, but his intention was to help the other school. The referee organization has confirmed the call and is investigating the incident."

"It was for the kids."

Rich · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 01:44pm

Just a reminder to everyone that EVERYTHING is on someone's cell phone.

Those clowns that worked my kid's games this past weekend should think about that.

DRJ1960 · #7 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 01:54pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

Just a reminder to everyone that EVERYTHING is on someone's cell phone.

Those clowns that worked my kid's games this past weekend should think about that.

Let's have the video!

Rich · #8 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 01:59pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Let's have the video!

Can't be bothered. You'd think I was recording a still picture anyway.

Altor · #9 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 02:40pm

My supervisor/employer was at a contest I was working one day (not basketball). He came over and handed me his phone when "I wasn't busy." There was a problem at work and they wanted me to help them fix it over the phone. I was not happy. There is a reason my phone gets set to silent when I arrive at a contest.

Rita C · #10 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 09:31pm

When I was reffing, I was a member of the association to which the unfortunate referee currently belongs. So I know some of the inside information. Some of this has become public knowledge. I will share that public knowledge.

A timeout had been called. The game admin told the referee that referees had not come to a game being played elsewhere. He asked him if he could help those 44 kids waiting to play.

At this particular gym, the referees' bags are right behind the scoring table. It was an easy matter to get to his phone to make the call to the assigner. His partner, forgetting to get eye contact with his partner as we should, put the ball into play. Unfortunately for the referee on the phone, he made a poor decision to try to ref and finish the call, which was intended to be brief.

He made a poor decision and will probably be disciplined by the association in some manner. Though the international embarrassment might be sufficient. Not to mention the WIAA knowing who he is now.

We've all screwed up on occasion.

Rita

grunewar · #11 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 07, 2015, 10:02pm

Video was on ESPN's 'Around the Horn' show today for discussion.......

Unneeded notice for sure.