Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

I heard something on the radio yesterday that caught my attention. Been trying to find it on the internet, but it was on the Dan Patrick radio show. I will try and summarize the story.

Northern Iowa, from the MVC, is a bubble team. There Athletic Director is also a referee. Last week, Northern Iowa lost a game it should not have lost. The very next day, Indiana played Wisconsin. I am not sure if many of you seen the Indiana - Wisconsin game, but clearly Indiana should have won that game and there were some very suspectible calls in the second half. I noticed this while watching the game. Several non-calls which should have been fouls. Cheap calls on Indiana that may not have been called earlier in the game. It all appeared that one ref was either making calls against Indiana or not making calls when calls should have been made. Who was that ref? The ref was the AD for Northen Iowa, who remember, is a bubble team, that lost the prior day. Could it be he wanted Indiana to lose thinking that if they win it may vault them ahead of Northern Iowa? I do not think any AD should be allowed to be a referee in any sport. Heck they make over 100,000 at the bare minimum, what more do they need.

This was in the Chicago Tribune by Teddy Greenstein.


Whistle-blowing

Days after the Big Ten criticized ESPN analyst Doug Gottlieb for pointing to a potential conflict of interest involving an official, the network will examine the issue at 11 p.m. Tuesday on "Outside the Lines."

Gottlieb last week questioned why Rick Hartzell, the athletic director at Northern Iowa, was assigned to officiate a game between Indiana and Wisconsin. Both Indiana and Northern Iowa are "bubble" teams for the NCAA tournament, and Hartzell's non-call late in the game contributed to Wisconsin's two-point victory.

"I'm not saying there is a clear-cut conflict of interest, but there is at least that appearance," Gottlieb said, according to a transcript.

The Big Ten released a statement Friday to express its "extreme disappointment and concern" over the comments.

ESPN on Monday responded with a statement: "Doug's job is to offer opinions on college basketball issues. In this case, he raised a thought-provoking topic and we stand by him. . . . He was not drawing conclusions nor was he questioning Hartzell's integrity, as some have maintained."

Hartzell, who officiates about 100 games and has worked 17 NCAA tournaments, told CBS Sportsline.com he understands the conflict-of-interest concerns but "I just try to get calls right. Honest to God, it's that simple."

Hartzell also praised Gottlieb for calling him to apologize.

"I think he wishes it didn't come out like it did," Hartzell told the Des Moines Register. "I think it takes a pretty

stand-up guy to call you."

Still dont think its right for an AD to be an official. Sure if you want to be an offical be one in Div 2, or NAIA, not in the same division. Thanks for the follow-up post. I knew I wasnt dreaming when I heard that story.

That is VERY interesting. I think Oliver Stone should look into it as well.
I did see some of that game (IU-Wisc) and remember some crappy officiating.
I didn't think too much of it because it's been pretty prevalent at most levels these days.