UPDATED: Official John Higgins Receives Death Threats & Fake Business Reviews from Kentucky fans

[Franisdaman]

Update:

Apr 5 2017
From hawkcentral:


Not even spoiled and very out-of-line Kentucky basketball fans, some of whom even threatened his life, can keep one of the top college basketball referees off the court.

And despite the urging of his wife, John Higgins isn’t hanging up his whistle.

“Yes, she wanted me to quit,” Higgins told The Register Wednesday. “What happened, not only to me, but to my family, my business and my business’ employees is ridiculous, but I’m not going to let a few fans – quite a few fans, actually – from one place make me quit.

“When I go out, I want to go out on my own.”

The NCAA could have gone elsewhere when picking Final Four refs. They could have said fallout from Big Blue Nation posed too much of a potential public relations nightmare at college basketball’s biggest stage, but they didn’t.

Higgins was back at it, working the Gonzaga-South Carolina in the Final Four last Saturday.

“It sent a strong message that 'Hey, we believe in you,'” Higgins said. “'There’s a reason why you’re here – you’re one of the best guys.'”

“One of the guys from NCAA said no way in hell would we let anyone take you off that game. That gave me a boost of confidence.

“They asked me if I was OK. I said I was fine – that it wasn’t me as much as it was my family that I was concerned about. My business and my employees – they were scared to get in truck and drive around.”

There was security outside Higgins’ home and business. The FBI continues to pore over emails, anonymous phone calls and social media posts.

“Some that was really graphic,” Higgins said. “I can’t give you a PG version of them; some of them were really sick. There’s a twitter one out there that has my picture and a target right on my face.”

Higgins’ three children are between ages 10 and 25. There was even buzz around the school that their youngest attends.

“Kids were talking at school,” Higgins, 55, said. “He knew something was going on – and that bothers me.

“My older kids understand it. They know you’re not going to make everyone happy. They get it.”

Nonetheless, Higgins will be on the court for his 29th refereeing season. He’ll undoubtedly work a handful of Iowa State games. He did five last season.

“I understand fans have passion. College sports are unique in that way,” Higgins said. “We’re not going to make every call right. Players aren’t going to make every shot. Coaches aren’t going to get every (player) rotation right, but one thing everyone has to have is good sportsmanship.

“Unfortunately it went over the line.”


whole story: http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...e-me-quit-ncaa-tournament-official/100070710/


Update:

See post later in this thread where Higgins has received death threats from Kentucky fans. As you will read, they are also calling his home (despite unlisted) and his company, complaining. Kentucky fans were not happy about the fouls called; they especially were not happy that in the first half 3 of their players (Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo) had to sit with two fouls.

Calipari and Higgins have a history, btw. I will post a video discussing this as well.

Ironically, Higgins will work the Final Four in Glendale, Arizona


Original Post:

Kentucky fans flood Facebook page of official John Higgins’ company with negative reviews

By Travis HinesMar 28, 2017, 7:29 PM EDT


Unhappy with how John Higgins performed at his part-time job, Kentucky fans did their best to trash him at his full-time gig.

The Facebook page of the referee’s Omaha-based roofing company was flooded by Big Blue Nation with negative comments and reviews after they were displeased with the official’s work in the Wildcats’ Elite Eight loss to North Carolina.

Not only did fans leave obviously fake and vulgar comments on the page, they also deluged it with one-star reviews to drive down its average significantly.

Once again, the Internet is struck by its proportionality problem. What could be considered a silly bit of online pranking by a small minority suddenly turns into an avalanche of nastiness that could do real damage to someone’s life, business and family, given the importance of social media for companies in 2017. It becomes cruel when it reaches a level like this.

When there’s so many general complaints about the state of officiating in college basketball, it’s also not helpful to do something like this to one of the referees generally considered to be one of the country’s best. It’s not exactly a glowing endorsement for prospective future officials to follow the career path if it brings this level of negative attention to you off the court.

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports....hrough-2022-if-hb2-not-addressed-by-thursday/

 

[Rustys Dad]

When there’s so many general complaints about the state of officiating in college basketball, it’s also not helpful to do something like this to one of the referees generally considered to be one of the country’s best. It’s not exactly a glowing endorsement for prospective future officials to follow the career path if it brings this level of negative attention to you off the court./

In the past couple of weeks I was listening to sports talk radio talking about the subject of referees (and apparent shortage of quality referees <not sure what level they were discussing>) ... But overall the general tone was that more and more individuals are choosing to NOT go down the path of becoming an umpire, referee, official ... because of all of the insane fans/crazed parents ... One guy in particular said he gave up umpiring in high school because the verbal abuse he took from parents just wasn't worth it ...

We have a crazed culture now ... The "me" society that I can do and say whatever I please ... It's sad ... And this story you reference is a sad reflection on our society ... Being able to do what they did is one thing ... but actually DOING it is completely another ...

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I thought the officiating for the game was very fair and had little to do with the outcome.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Fans feed off coaches going crazy on every call that's where the problem is in my mine

 

[iahawkeyes17]

In the past couple of weeks I was listening to sports talk radio talking about the subject of referees (and apparent shortage of quality referees <not sure what level they were discussing>) ... But overall the general tone was that more and more individuals are choosing to NOT go down the path of becoming an umpire, referee, official ... because of all of the insane fans/crazed parents ... One guy in particular said he gave up umpiring in high school because the verbal abuse he took from parents just wasn't worth it ...

We have a crazed culture now ... The "me" society that I can do and say whatever I please ... It's sad ... And this story you reference is a sad reflection on our society ... Being able to do what they did is one thing ... but actually DOING it is completely another ...

I agree anymore you need some real thick skin. In college I use to umpire some little league games for 11-12 years old. Even at that age some parents could be brutal. Never forget one game each team had a couple of parents on both teams where didn't matter if I called a ball or strike I'd hear if from one of the other sides. Now with social media who'd want to to umpire or ref is beyond me. My opinion is NCAA and pros need to make it a full time round year job. Even pro refs like former Hawkeyes Scott halverson in NFL has another job in Des Moines area.

 

[ThrowBones92]

Kentucky fans flood Facebook page of official John Higgins’ company with negative reviews

By Travis HinesMar 28, 2017, 7:29 PM EDT


Unhappy with how John Higgins performed at his part-time job, Kentucky fans did their best to trash him at his full-time gig.

The Facebook page of the referee’s Omaha-based roofing company was flooded by Big Blue Nation with negative comments and reviews after they were displeased with the official’s work in the Wildcats’ Elite Eight loss to North Carolina.

Not only did fans leave obviously fake and vulgar comments on the page, they also deluged it with one-star reviews to drive down its average significantly.

Once again, the Internet is struck by its proportionality problem. What could be considered a silly bit of online pranking by a small minority suddenly turns into an avalanche of nastiness that could do real damage to someone’s life, business and family, given the importance of social media for companies in 2017. It becomes cruel when it reaches a level like this.

When there’s so many general complaints about the state of officiating in college basketball, it’s also not helpful to do something like this to one of the referees generally considered to be one of the country’s best. It’s not exactly a glowing endorsement for prospective future officials to follow the career path if it brings this level of negative attention to you off the court.

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports....hrough-2022-if-hb2-not-addressed-by-thursday/

Calipari knew what he was doing when he made those comments. He understands the psychotic fan base that surrounds Kentucky basketball. When you get to enjoy the benefits of working for a school that has a fan base as rabid as it is for Kentucky basketball, acting and speaking responsibly is a part of the gig. He did not do so in this case. Again, he knew what he was doing when he made his comments, and it's not good for the sporting world when I coach can stimulate his fan base to put fear into the hearts and minds of the folks who are charged with enforcing the rules of the game.

 

[Rustys Dad]

I agree anymore you need some real thick skin. In college I use to umpire some little league games for 11-12 years old. Even at that age some parents could be brutal. Never forget one game each team had a couple of parents on both teams where didn't matter if I called a ball or strike I'd hear if from one of the other sides. Now with social media who'd want to to umpire or ref is beyond me. My opinion is NCAA and pros need to make it a full time round year job. Even pro refs like former Hawkeyes Scott halverson in NFL has another job in Des Moines area.

It's pretty sad to think you had to endure that crap at Little League games. I simply can't fathom how some people think it's okay to belittle others ... With social media, we've turned a scary corner regarding what it allows crazed individuals to accomplish ...

 

[DodgerHawki]

In the past couple of weeks I was listening to sports talk radio talking about the subject of referees (and apparent shortage of quality referees <not sure what level they were discussing>) ... But overall the general tone was that more and more individuals are choosing to NOT go down the path of becoming an umpire, referee, official ... because of all of the insane fans/crazed parents ... One guy in particular said he gave up umpiring in high school because the verbal abuse he took from parents just wasn't worth it ...

We have a crazed culture now ... The "me" society that I can do and say whatever I please ... It's sad ... And this story you reference is a sad reflection on our society ... Being able to do what they did is one thing ... but actually DOING it is completely another ...

Don't know what the data is behind this, but it seems as if referees are very reluctant to call technicals on coaches anymore. It could be these officials are hesitant to do so because they don't want the coaches to complain about them for fear of not getting games. I know that most conferences have their own officiating directors, who evaluate referees regularly.

It all could stop if there was an emphasis placed on decorum by the coaches, where refs would have the full backing of the leagues to T up coaches if they were acting like idiots on the sideline.

To the issue of making refs full-time employees of the leagues or the NCAA, not sure how eager the schools are to do that. As a contract employee, the conference can just choose to no longer use a ref if that ref isn't performing up to standards. The leagues/schools also aren't on the hook for benefits, retirement plans, etc. And not sure if all of the referees would want to go to a model where they are full-time employees of the leagues.

 

[anon_bb9wlf9kj42py]

That's a good point Dodger. I'd love them to T up coaches more.

That said, I have reffed one game in my entire life. A junior high girls game. I got ripped on by parents and coaches and I was done.

 

[StormHawk42]

It's pretty sad to think you had to endure that crap at Little League games. I simply can't fathom how some people think it's okay to belittle others ... With social media, we've turned a scary corner regarding what it allows crazed individuals to accomplish ...

I had a parent get in my face after a 4th grade girls BB game. That was interesting.

 

[Rustys Dad]

I had a parent get in my face after a 4th grade girls BB game. That was interesting.

Simply insane... Hard for me to process people like that exist (but sadly, I know they do) ... I'm in my mid 40s ... My parents attended my games ... Never, ever would they yell at the ref/umpire/official. Never ... It just didn't happen ... I played baseball up until the 9th grade ... Parents just didn't make the verbal attacks they do today ... For any parent verbally attacking/yelling at a human being officiating a "game" they need to take a serious look in the mirror and evaluate where they are in life ... It's not your "right" to belittle an official ... These same individuals who could never put on the striped uniform ...

 

[DodgerHawki]

That's a good point Dodger. I'd love them to T up coaches more.

That said, I have reffed one game in my entire life. A junior high girls game. I got ripped on by parents and coaches and I was done.

I don't know when the loss of perspective happened, but it has seemed to happen. Parents at games where kids ages 8-12 are playing act like they are at a NFL game or a Division I basketball game in terms of getting on the referees. No hesitation from parents to yell, scream, berate officials.

My opinion (only an opinion) is the officiating at the Big Ten/P5 level is overall better than most people would say. The mistakes are very visible with and reviewed a lot with HD and multiple camera angles. It can always be improved, but the conferences all have review of their officials and do get rid of the guys who grade out poorly.

 

[Ronman]

I don't know when the loss of perspective happened, but it has seemed to happen. Parents at games where kids ages 8-12 are playing act like they are at a NFL game or a Division I basketball game in terms of getting on the referees. No hesitation from parents to yell, scream, berate officials.

My opinion (only an opinion) is the officiating at the Big Ten/P5 level is overall better than most people would say. The mistakes are very visible with and reviewed a lot with HD and multiple camera angles. It can always be improved, but the conferences all have review of their officials and do get rid of the guys who grade out poorly.

It would be easier to agree with you if we didn't see the same refs year after year giving beneficial calls to the same teams.

 

[Hawk_82]

I honestly belive this attitude stems from boards like this and social media in general. people are "called out"all the time on this board.

I have head people say, stop complaining or say it to their face as if this is more honorable.

People come to this board to troll so they can see others worked up. all this translates to the real world to some extent.

Before social media people would keep thoughts to themselves. now people post every aspect of their life because they think others want to hear what they are saying

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Basketball officials may be good, or they may be bad. It should be irrelevant to this discussion.

It's the way people react to things that don't go their way that shocks me in this country. How can being a "fan" explain trashing a man's business or sending death threats over a basketball game? How is it possible that a parent could scream and get in the face of an official at a 4th grade girls basketball game, where I assume the officials are other parents volunteering their time?

This is escalating at an alarming rate. And, I don't have a clue what to do about it.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Basketball officials may be good, or they may be bad. It should be irrelevant to this discussion.

It's the way people react to things that don't go their way that shocks me in this country. How can being a "fan" explain trashing a man's business or sending death threats over a basketball game? How is it possible that a parent could scream and get in the face of an official at a 4th grade girls basketball game, where I assume the officials are other parents volunteering their time?

This is escalating at an alarming rate. And, I don't have a clue what to do about it.

HBO sports had an excellent piece on this last year. Talking about safety to officials and growing violent actions. Showed how one official at a soccer game, non professional, was attacked and died due to brain injuries days later. Also showed an all out brawl that started with the attacking officials then parents going after one another at a pee wee football game. Now we even see sometimes player taking shots at them. Read this year at a D2 or D3 player punched ref in a basketball game and arrested on the spot.

 

[MepoDawg#]

I don't that it's escalating at an alarming rate. Social media has led to more awareness about it. The officials need to have more accountability for their mistakes. We can both agree there is a line that shouldn't get crossed. Why should officials get a free pass when they screw Iowa against Minnesota? Or fail to call an obvious goal tend in the Northwestern game. Having the officials available for questions after games could help.

I don't think access to them afterwards would help at all. It'd probably make it worse especially if you ask them to explain one call they made in a game, they won't remember the whole situation. They should be given time to review said calls before being asked to elaborate.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I don't that it's escalating at an alarming rate. Social media has led to more awareness about it. The officials need to have more accountability for their mistakes. We can both agree there is a line that shouldn't get crossed. Why should officials get a free pass when they screw Iowa against Minnesota? Or fail to call an obvious goal tend in the Northwestern game. Having the officials available for questions after games could help.

You've illuminated an important issue .... are the officials making bad calls on purpose to help one team or the other? If officials are cheating or on the take, I suppose they may deserve what they get. I am probably in the minority when I say I don't think this is happening.

If they have "bias", meaning they may unconsciously favor the home team, some key players or important coaches, then that's a problem that has to be dealt with by league or NCAA training. I am certain this happens.

I don't think making officials available for questioning will improve the situation.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Don't know what the data is behind this, but it seems as if referees are very reluctant to call technicals on coaches anymore. It could be these officials are hesitant to do so because they don't want the coaches to complain about them for fear of not getting games. I know that most conferences have their own officiating directors, who evaluate referees regularly.

It all could stop if there was an emphasis placed on decorum by the coaches, where refs would have the full backing of the leagues to T up coaches if they were acting like idiots on the sideline.

To the issue of making refs full-time employees of the leagues or the NCAA, not sure how eager the schools are to do that. As a contract employee, the conference can just choose to no longer use a ref if that ref isn't performing up to standards. The leagues/schools also aren't on the hook for benefits, retirement plans, etc. And not sure if all of the referees would want to go to a model where they are full-time employees of the leagues.

As a retired football referee I can tell you that if you call a technical/unsportsmanlike on the coach you will most likely not see that coach again. Most of these coaches have "lists" that they give the assigner to use in finding officials for their games. If you "piss" off a coach enough you will not get that team/school again.

Officiating is a dying profession and there are more guys retiring than there are coming into it. I worry about some of the high school activities, as they might not have enough officials to go around. I know my last 2-3 years it was struggle to find guys to work lower level games. I remember a couple of times having to ref a freshman/JH football game by myself! I still had parents barking at me saying I missed a call.

I don't know what can be done to solve it, but Calipari needs to come out and make a statement tell those fans to stop it!

 

[MepoDawg#]

They will remember the situation just fine. You may feel we are dealing with honest officials. I think the amount of dishonest officials is what's escalating. You think those officials wouldn't remember the situation where we called Timeout against Minnesota?

They would clearly remember an end of game situation more than they would something earlier in the game, but they aren't privy to all the replays like others are unless they're reviewing something. Obviously you'd ask them about something you thought was wrong or maybe was wrong. But if they honestly called it wrong because they didn't see it then what good is it going to do to let them be questioned afterwards without further review of said play(s). Their comment unless accepted by everyone is just going to piss people off more.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

What did Coach Cal complain about to get the Big Blue inbreds upset?

 

[Grizzly Adam]

Isn't this the same guy rhat Iowa fans did the same thing to a few years back? I am thinking it was after the last game in Cedar Falls.

 

[ichawk24]

Officiating sports isn't easy. Basketball is extremely difficult. You have to watch a million things at the same time. I am confident that 99% of the officials are doing their best. They make mistakes. But arseholes like acuhawk wanting them to "face the heat" are only making more good officials leave the profession.

I umpired a lot of baseball as a teen and early 20s. I was good at it. I long thought I'd return to it, possibly in retirement. From what I've seen as an adult, I doubt I'd ever truly consider it. The grief is immense, particularly compared to the low pay.

Parents ruin everything.

 

[hknation]

Kentucky fans flood Facebook page of official John Higgins’ company with negative reviews

By Travis HinesMar 28, 2017, 7:29 PM EDT


Unhappy with how John Higgins performed at his part-time job, Kentucky fans did their best to trash him at his full-time gig.

The Facebook page of the referee’s Omaha-based roofing company was flooded by Big Blue Nation with negative comments and reviews after they were displeased with the official’s work in the Wildcats’ Elite Eight loss to North Carolina.

Not only did fans leave obviously fake and vulgar comments on the page, they also deluged it with one-star reviews to drive down its average significantly.

Once again, the Internet is struck by its proportionality problem. What could be considered a silly bit of online pranking by a small minority suddenly turns into an avalanche of nastiness that could do real damage to someone’s life, business and family, given the importance of social media for companies in 2017. It becomes cruel when it reaches a level like this.

When there’s so many general complaints about the state of officiating in college basketball, it’s also not helpful to do something like this to one of the referees generally considered to be one of the country’s best. It’s not exactly a glowing endorsement for prospective future officials to follow the career path if it brings this level of negative attention to you off the court.

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports....hrough-2022-if-hb2-not-addressed-by-thursday/

What would you expect from their fans when one of UK's biggest fans is a fowl-mouthed loon; they are just channeling Ashley Judd.

 

[bigfridaynite]

The game is so fast now compare to 5 to 10 years ago and about every player plays above the rim I don't have a clue how the refs keep up with everything going on.The coaches need to sit down and shut up during action.No way a ref can focus on the game when getting crap all the time.

 

[DanL53]

I've got a silly story. When I was just out of 7th grade a friend and I noticed that at the games where these shorter, younger kids were playing..not Tball but kind of in between that and little league, I don't remember. Anyway, we noticed they'd grab a couple guys from the crowd to ump and then they would pass the hat to pay the umps.

We figured out right away that the hat had money in it.

So we talked and since the President of the Little League and other leagues and all that lived on our block, we went to see him. We had this whole thing worked out where we'd run the officials, make sure two guy were at each game early and set up the bases, chalk the lines, all the stuff the coaches had been having to do. All we wanted was to run the officials and us and our guys get the money out of the hat.

He hired us.

We farmed out the workload to a total of five guys counting us. There were never less than two umps. And it was easy as the field was right by the swimming pool so we'd just swim until time to set stuff up.

Until one day I called the Coaches kid out trying to make it to third.

The Coach chewed me out up one side and down the other. I should have thrown him out but didn't. Anyway, the game continued and a couple days later me and the kid that umped that game were summoned to the Commissioners house where the Coach was waiting. And he'd filed an official protest and was demanding our whole crew be fired as we were just kids.

The President/Commissioner said to me, "Was he out?" I said yes. He turned to the other ump, "Was he out?" Yup, seen it real good, he was out by a mile." He turned to the Coach, "Protest Denied."

Heck, if a kid just out of seventh grade can handle it, I got no tears for grown adults making good money to ref a game. If you can't handle it, don't do it. What Kentucky fans did was out of line...but this isn't earth shattering.

 

[Franisdaman]

I don't know when the loss of perspective happened, but it has seemed to happen. Parents at games where kids ages 8-12 are playing act like they are at a NFL game or a Division I basketball game in terms of getting on the referees. No hesitation from parents to yell, scream, berate officials.

My opinion (only an opinion) is the officiating at the Big Ten/P5 level is overall better than most people would say. The mistakes are very visible with and reviewed a lot with HD and multiple camera angles. It can always be improved, but the conferences all have review of their officials and do get rid of the guys who grade out poorly.

I agree. I don't think officiating has gotten worse over the past few decades. I just think with all the camera angles, the HD and replays, the spot light really goes on the official, especially when they get it wrong.

heck, look at us, how we went crazy when Beaver missed the time out and the foot being out of bounds, all which happened in under a second? Then the video and pics went viral on social media. Beaver will always be remembered by Iowa fans now.

What is it that Kentucky fans have issue with concerning this official? And with the internet, its not hard to do research on an official, post links to his business, and destroy him.

 

[Franisdaman]

I had a parent get in my face after a 4th grade girls BB game. That was interesting.

Well, you missed a call and I was not going to allow you to get away with it.

 

[Franisdaman]

Isn't this the same guy rhat Iowa fans did the same thing to a few years back? I am thinking it was after the last game in Cedar Falls.

Interesting. I google "John Higgins Iowa UNI" and found what follows. I forgot that Iowa got dinged with so many technical fouls in this game.

From the Gazette, Dec 6, 2011:

For 30 minutes Iowa and Northern Iowa slugged possession-by-possession to a virtual draw.

For the final 10 minutes, Iowa delivered a self-inflicted technical knockout that turned a competitive game into a statistical blowout.

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery was ejected after a pair of technical fouls. An Iowa assistant — all of which vehemently were arguing a call — was dinged once. Iowa sophomore forward Zach McCabe added another while fouling out. The result was an 80-60 UNI win.

The Panthers sank all 12 free-throw attempts following technicals.

UNI was 29-of-33 from the free-throw line.

"I thought our guys stepped to the line and made their free throws," UNI Coach Ben Jacobson said.

Iowa shot nine free throws and sank just three.

"Really, I didn't notice that," McCaffery said. "Interesting statistic."



Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery, right, is ejected from the game by official John Higgins during the second half against Northern Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Northern Iowa won 80-60. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

 

[DanL53]

Yeah, there's the Iowa/UNI game, and several other times...enough where I read an article about how much he was hated. I'm not sure I get where he's so good at his job.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

So what is UK whining about?

 

[Franisdaman]

NCAA referee John Higgins receiving death threats from Kentucky fans

• Jeff Goodman
• Dana O'Neil
• http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...-fans-following-loss-north-carolina-tar-heels

NCAA referee John Higgins met with law enforcement for more than two hours Tuesday March 28 after Kentucky fans sent death threats, repeatedly called his company's office and home -- despite an unlisted number -- and posted a barrage of false messages about his business on the company's Facebook page, sources told ESPN.

Higgins worked Sunday's Elite Eight game between Kentucky and North Carolina, which the Tar Heels won 75-73 on Luke Maye's buzzer-beating jumper. The Wildcats were whistled for 19 fouls, including two each on Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo in the first half, a fact that Kentucky coach John Calipari didn't let go unnoticed.

"You know, it's amazing that we were in that game where they practically fouled out my team," Calipari said. "Amazing that we had a chance."

Kentucky fan websites and message boards identified Higgins as making incorrect calls against the Wildcats. Calipari's statements, message board chatter and their own fury prompted some Kentucky fans to write false and damaging messages on the Facebook site of Higgins' company, John Higgins Weatherguard Inc., as reported by several outlets Tuesday.

But the nastiness went well beyond those posts. Sources said the phones at Higgins' home and business, also known as Rooferees, have been "ringing off the hook" since the game, with angry Kentucky fans calling to complain and some even going so far as to make death threats.

That prompted a meeting with law enforcement.

"We appreciate the passion that fans bring to college basketball," NCAA vice president Dan Gavitt said in a statement issued Wednesday. "But the behavior of some fans toward John Higgins that has been reported publicly after last weekend's regional final is not appropriate.

"John is one of the most experienced and qualified college referees in the country, evidenced by his many years of officiating during March Madness, and for some fans to not only question his character but also criticize his private business is unfortunate. While we understand it's nearly impossible to officiate a game without fans getting upset about a call, it's also important that behavior during or after a game reflects the same standards of good sportsmanship that we encourage of our coaches and student-athletes."

On Wednesday, Kentucky released a statement promoting good sportsmanship by Wildcats fans.

"While we were all disappointed to see a memorable season end on Sunday and we appreciate the support our fans showed our student-athletes all year, we encourage our fans to demonstrate good sportsmanship to everyone and discourage any other kind of behavior," the statement said.

Higgins declined to comment when reached by phone, but sources said the official will work the Final Four in Glendale, Arizona.

 

[Franisdaman]

John Calipari‏Verified account@UKCoachCalipari
I always brag that we have the classiest fans in the country. Let's make sure we remain that way even after a tough loss.

 

[Franisdaman]

Calipari and Higgins have a history. Higgins apparently ref'd Kentucky losses against UCONN and Wisconsin in the past, and obviously Calipari doesn't forget, and the fans don't forget, either. Will Iowa fans ever forget Jim Bain and Beaver?

Check this video out, where it is all discussed: www.espn.com/video/clip?id=19030553

 

[PRPcoach]

As someone who is a fan of Kentucky - I am truly embarrassed by the small percentage of our fan base that gets so emotionally invested in our program that they personally attack a ref.

That being said - the major issue that I see is that there are way too many refs - in pretty much any sport - that ref for ATTENTION. Instead of just calling the game as they see it, they use the position as a chance to be noticed. Whether it is at the NCAA level or the youth league level, some officials want to be "the show" instead of just doing their jobs. Way too often, an official wants to "prove a point" to a school, coach or player for a prior mistake instead of just calling the game as it happens. I know it is human nature to not "forget", but it's a referee's job to do so. When you are an invested fan, an alum, or even more so, a parent of an athlete, it is really hard not to take these calls personally.

I don't have the answers on how to change things, but some of the responsibility has to fall on the refs themselves.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

John Calipari‏Verified account@UKCoachCalipari
I always brag that we have the classiest fans in the country. Let's make sure we remain that way even after a tough loss.

When I think of UK fans, I definitely think "classiest fans in the country."

 

[ThrowBones92]

They will remember the situation just fine. You may feel we are dealing with honest officials. I think the amount of dishonest officials is what's escalating. You think those officials wouldn't remember the situation where we called Timeout against Minnesota?

You don't know what you're talking about. Officiating, overall, at the college level is as good as it's ever been. The challenges that continue to make it the most difficult sport in the world to officiate are as follows:
1) the size, speed and athleticism of players is better than it's ever been. And it will continue to increase. Training the human brain and body to keep up is going to continue to be a major challenge
2) The development of high-definition TV, zoom and slow-mo replay - now more than ever before have fans had access to 7 angles of a play in slow-mo high def. The more this capability develops, the harder it will be on officials. Fans don't understand their angles many times are better than the official has to work with. And he/she has to make a decision in a split second and live with the call/no-call. Fans get to see plays 2,3,4,5 times at all possible angles in slow motion and with full zoom. Most people don't have a clue what this is like until they try to call a game at full speed with no help from multiple tv angles.
3) The growth of cable TV - now pretty much all games, even at the D2 level, are televised or aired via stream. More games are being watched, so more issues are being noticed
3) different crews work together every single night - which is different from football - makes floor coverage, call consistency, teamwork a new challenge every night.
4) The money involved in the game now is huge - the coaches are themselves the most recognizable individual at major programs. College basketball is a coach's game, while the NBA is a player's game. If you think they continually try to exert influence and control on the game and the way it is called so that it can be called to match their coaching style, you're not paying attention.

Big money raises the stakes for everyone. If the fans, coaches, players, the NCAA want the best possible called game, they need to be pushing for professionally trained and paid officials. The vast majority of us work day jobs because we can't make working even 30 D1 games work as a full time job. The NBA does an excellent job training officials. The NCAA needs to figure out how to do this if they want to keep up with the challenges.

I laugh every time I hear someone talk about the honestly or integrity of officials. They have no idea what they're talking about. They race to their tinfoil hats every time they think someone got screwed. It MUST be intentional. Very little room for error or mistake. Our integrity is literally all we have. If it came to light that someone was deliberately screwing people, they'd be done immediately. While this has happened in the past, and it doesn't mean it isn't/won't happen again, the chances of this being the case with any more than 1 or 2 so insane to even entertain.

 

[ThrowBones92]

As someone who is a fan of Kentucky - I am truly embarrassed by the small percentage of our fan base that gets so emotionally invested in our program that they personally attack a ref.

That being said - the major issue that I see is that there are way too many refs - in pretty much any sport - that ref for ATTENTION. Instead of just calling the game as they see it, they use the position as a chance to be noticed. Whether it is at the NCAA level or the youth league level, some officials want to be "the show" instead of just doing their jobs. Way too often, an official wants to "prove a point" to a school, coach or player for a prior mistake instead of just calling the game as it happens. I know it is human nature to not "forget", but it's a referee's job to do so. When you are an invested fan, an alum, or even more so, a parent of an athlete, it is really hard not to take these calls personally.

I don't have the answers on how to change things, but some of the responsibility has to fall on the refs themselves.

I would love to see the evidence you've found of this happening. If it's based on your "experience", then it's all conjecture. A coach may have treated me poorly in the past, but it has nothing to do with the way I'm going to interact and treat him the next time we cross paths. Any good official understands two things:
1) professionalism is a must - you don't hold grudges
2) its not personal, even if the coach tries to make it personal - if the coach makes it personal, you penalize and move on. 99.9999% of the time, coaches are trying to coach and win. Not show you up. If they show you up, you penalize, and you wash your hands of it.

Again, EVIDENCE is appreciated of the "proving a point" you see "way too often" at the NCAA level.

 

[ThrowBones92]

Yeah, there's the Iowa/UNI game, and several other times...enough where I read an article about how much he was hated. I'm not sure I get where he's so good at his job.

You're not expected to get it. this isn't personal, so don't take it as such, but the vast majority of fans have no idea how to evaluate a good official from a bad official. There is so much you don't know that you don't know.

I've had many conversations with frustrated friends who, after our conversation regarding their frustrating with a specific game and the way it was called, will say to me, "I had no idea it was so complex. You really do have so much more going on that you have to see and think about than what I ever thought."

 

[Ronman]

I don't question the "honesty and integrity" of the officials as much as I do their competency. You just can't ignore half a team calling a TO, which everyone on the TV broadcast can hear, or be standing 3 feet away from a players trying to tie up the opposition player while he is out of bounds. It cost us a game and perhaps a spot in the NCAA's (and therefore, some serious dollars). Either you're trying to directly influence the outcome of the game or you're incompetent.