I'm glad to see other conferences will be doing more back round checks on those college referees. They need to start doing it in the MAC conference more than anywhere else IMO
Background checks of refs will increase
By LINDSAY JONES
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2007
HOOVER, Ala. — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive said Wednesday that conference officials and referees should expect increased background checks in the wake of the scandal involving a former NBA referee who is accused of fixing games to help pay off gambling debts.
"You can't watch what's going on in the NBA without realizing the need to be ever vigilant," Slive said.
NBA referee Tim Donaghy resigned July 9 amid allegations that he gambled on NBA games he officiated.
The NCAA instituted background checks for officials in 1999. The SEC has not conducted its own checks, though any SEC referee who wants to officiate in a bowl game or the NCAA Tournament must submit to a background check, Slive said.
"I feel the focus in the NCAA has been on gambling and student athletes and we need to make sure we have a program that is just as intense for our officials as it is for our student athletes," Slive said.
Slive plans to meet with conference athletic directors in three weeks to discuss specific changes to the way officials are screened. He will meet with football officials today in Hoover and plans to have a "very serious conversation" about gambling.
"What we expect from our coaches is what we'll expect from our officials," Slive said.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, one of four coaches to meet with reporters on the first day of the SEC's football media days, said he agrees that referees need to be scrutinized.
"We'll all have to be careful now of not saying, 'It appeared that guy had money on a game.' You can't say that anymore," Spurrier said. "Anyway, hopefully it will be a good scare that will help every sport."
Background checks of refs will increase
By LINDSAY JONES
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2007
HOOVER, Ala. — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive said Wednesday that conference officials and referees should expect increased background checks in the wake of the scandal involving a former NBA referee who is accused of fixing games to help pay off gambling debts.
"You can't watch what's going on in the NBA without realizing the need to be ever vigilant," Slive said.
NBA referee Tim Donaghy resigned July 9 amid allegations that he gambled on NBA games he officiated.
The NCAA instituted background checks for officials in 1999. The SEC has not conducted its own checks, though any SEC referee who wants to officiate in a bowl game or the NCAA Tournament must submit to a background check, Slive said.
"I feel the focus in the NCAA has been on gambling and student athletes and we need to make sure we have a program that is just as intense for our officials as it is for our student athletes," Slive said.
Slive plans to meet with conference athletic directors in three weeks to discuss specific changes to the way officials are screened. He will meet with football officials today in Hoover and plans to have a "very serious conversation" about gambling.
"What we expect from our coaches is what we'll expect from our officials," Slive said.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, one of four coaches to meet with reporters on the first day of the SEC's football media days, said he agrees that referees need to be scrutinized.
"We'll all have to be careful now of not saying, 'It appeared that guy had money on a game.' You can't say that anymore," Spurrier said. "Anyway, hopefully it will be a good scare that will help every sport."
