Big Ten firing

[Raymond]

Hello all....Basketball official dipping into the football side of the house.

Just wondering what the thoughts were over here concerning this:

Originally Posted by jeffpea

check out this story in today's Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/campu...-bigten18.html

I've actually worked a college basketball game with him 2 yrs ago. Didn't know about his visual impairment until I read the article. I can certainly understand why the Big 10 did what it did; but I can also understand his perspective as well.....

What are your thoughts?

[Theisey]

At least get your link correct:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/campu...-bigten18.html

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Theisey

At least get your link correct:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/campu...-bigten18.html

Okey dokey Theisey....i fixed it.

[Jim S]

I don't know guys, We have all worked with coaches that didn't have half a brain. No one said they couldn't be out there.

1. The conference knowingly let him work, (5 seasons was it?) without questioning his ability, and it would seem without complaints.
2. The Orange Bowl assignment would appear to show that they were happy with his work.
3. The idiot at the conference that told him he was fired because "He didn't have two eyes" left the conference WIDE open for an ADA lawsuit.
I think he will win, get a lot of money, and there will be a firing at the conference level.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by Jim S

I don't know guys, We have all worked with coaches that didn't have half a brain. No one said they couldn't be out there.

1. The conference knowingly let him work, (5 seasons was it?) without questioning his ability, and it would seem without complaints.
2. The Orange Bowl assignment would appear to show that they were happy with his work.
3. The idiot at the conference that told him he was fired because "He didn't have two eyes" left the conference WIDE open for an ADA lawsuit.
I think he will win, get a lot of money, and there will be a firing at the conference level.

I concur - except that surely someone at the conference level will realize that they have no case and will settle.

[TXMike]

I don't know this is what happened, but hypothetically speaking....what would you guys who are coming out so strong against the conference say if you find out that the ref in question had to undergo a physical exam each year and each year managed to get the vision test scores configured such that his impairment was not officially discovered? Would that change your minds?