If i could ever see that coach, I would love to apologize. "I can't wait for November 10. He takes great pride in his ability, conditioning and awareness. Find the perfect ? Eades, who at age 56 has worked three Final Fours and six ACC title games, is still at the top of the game, as Kersey was at age 53, coming off a Final Four. It's a difficult job, fast-paced, but I love what I do. 3. He talks about new techniques to recruit and retain officials. These guys demand Roger Ayers work the big games, even if it’s on the end of a 22-day officiating bender. He has a healthy ego but he's not an ego-maniac. That was refreshing (get back to us come mid-February). ". Some coaches tick like a time bomb, using officials' behavior as means to motivate their players, while others treat officials with an entirely different demeanor from how they interact with their players. Related To Catherine Ayers, Michael Ayers, Stephanie Ayers, Amy Ayers. The moment's not too big for him in my opinion. He doesn't anticipate anything. 2 of our results to questions posed to more than 100 coaches. Ayers, 52, was reached by phone fresh off a yoga workout, and said he's physically active almost every day. The RoundBall Referee returns for the 2017-2018 season with a confession and a word of encouragement. CBS Sports college basketball writers Gary Parrish, Matt Norlander and Reid Forgrave spent much of July on the road in cities across the country, covering the live recruiting periods. You don't expect the out-of-nowhere technical foul when you jump his ass at the end of the game and it's as four-point game. He's got a high level of concentration, two. He was first introduced to Judo by his father at very young But let’s save that discussion for a … But the guy can still manage a game and the stuff that comes along with it. I usually get a laugh, but it is true. I've seen opposing coaches 'motherf---' him, and he doesn't jump off deep end and immediately give guys a technical. He is also a minority owner and producer in WWE . In this article, Trevor Houle dives into the difficulties of recruiting officials under the age of 30. I didn't do it on purpose. "I think that he's fair, communicates well and is a great play-caller. No one's perfect, and he'll admit when [he is] right or wrong. There was no correlated wagering activity to escalate. He works hard at that. He is currently a replay official in Division I Football and he is a Division I Women's Softball umpire. College basketball coaches, on the whole, have an undeniably aggressive mindset toward officials. He can move. ", "He has a great demeanor, and he's a great communicator. Whether he has something against the other coach, which he certainly could, I don't care because he's giving us a fair shake. #3. Discussion of sports can often fall into an irrational abyss. The first two are from Kentucky, the last referee is from Roanoke and is the age to have college-aged children. Here's the 2016 Rankings, done retroactively. Celebrate and remember the lives we have lost in San Bernardino, California. ... After COVID-19 fight, referee Roger Ayers 'on the mend' Apr 8, 2021; The Roanoke County resident was sent home from the NCAAs after testing positive. His thing is to come over, say, 'Hey, I'm only going to listen if you talk to me instead of yell at me. "I guess I got them fooled," Ayers joked, when reached for his reaction to the vote. To paraphrase one coach: The answer I give you now I can almost guarantee will not be the answer I'd give you in the middle of the season. There are so many of those guys. In an off night he may work A-10 games, but he's not looking down on those guys. http://kenpom.com/officials.php?y=2016. While there, and in the weeks since, they've surveyed coaches for our annual Candid Coaches series. The 2019 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament was the 66th annual postseason men's basketball tournament for the Atlantic Coast Conference, held March 12–16, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.. And he's a great communicator, five. He provides reminders throughout the game to players about the line they are close to foul-wise -- and that's something that doesn't happen nearly enough. A ref who doesn't let his own ego get in the way. This is a very underrated part of being a great official, in my opinion. ", Roanoke Police find body Saturday at undisclosed location, Victim identified after fatal fall from Lynchburg train trestle, Forest fire in Rockbridge County at 10% containment as crews monitor fluctuating conditions, Falwell Jr. appears at student event and invites crowd to ‘real Liberty graduation’, Appomattox County Defeats Stuarts Draft in Class 2, Galax And Riverheads Championship Bout For Class 1, Medina Spirit gives trainer Baffert record 7th Kentucky Derby win, Bridging the Great Health Divide Across the US, PublicFileAccess@wdbj7.com - (540) 344-7000. I remember, I'm embarrassed to say it, but at NC State I stopped a game before a throw-in. The Annual salary Eddie Orengo is $10,000. '", "I think he's fair. Ayers of the highest quality. Longtime ACC referee Roger Ayers says "It never gets old. Longtime SEC and NFL referee, Robert "Bob" Boylston passed away January 28, 2021, at the age of 81. It's the refs who don't have agenda. "I took the heat because I was the crew chief. If you have legit questions, he'll explain. I don't think any coach intimidates him. He's a little long in the tooth, and he's one of the of five best officials of all time, in my opinion, and we've had him a lot. The top 10 men in stripes, though, have called upwards of 81 games: At the top slot is Roger Ayers, who traveled to 24 states to officiate 93 ballgames. Ayers, a lifelong resident of Roanoke, Va., flirted with making the move to the NBA in 2002 after the league invited him to try out. Styles vary, from the combative to the cynical, from butt-kissing to aggressive. They polled everyone from head coaches at elite programs to assistants at some of the smallest schools in Division I. Select from premium ? One of the interesting dynamics in sports is how coaches deal with game officials. Referees earn $1,400 for officiating in the regional finals, and $2,000 for officiating in any of the Final Four games. What I mean by that: I don't care about managing the game. He has a healthy ego but he's not an egomaniac. Covering the impact of coronavirus on the sports world. "You have to fool those coaches into believing they can trust you. Ayers has been a Division I official since 1998, and said he's still never worked a perfect game. This is week No. © 2004-2021 CBS Interactive. Those are the five things that come to mind to make a great ref. "I can't wait to get back on the court, and believe it or not, for some crazy reason, I can't wait to get booed. Ayers shared the story of how he came to be a referee in the Atlantic Coast Conference, starting out right here in the high schools of Roanoke, Virginia. ", "He doesn't have a combative demeanor at all. ", "He talks to the kids and the coaches, and I don't see him get too emotional and respond when a coach responds too emotionally to him: 'That's a foul!' Candid Coaches: Who is the best referee in college basketball? He estimates that he works approximately 85 games a season, including the NCAA Tournament, "I'm getting goosebumps talking about," Ayers said. He worked his first ACC game at the precocious age of 26 and would go on to be selected for 21 ACC tournaments and 20 NCAA tournaments, advancing … Top-notch officials, for the most part, are not tucked away in small conferences whose games are not on television. #100 Roger Ayers MasterClass | 22-year Divsion 1 Official | 3 Final Four Selections In , it makes perfect sense to bring you over , insights and best practices from Final Four Official . And yet, in the heart of the offseason, the coaches we surveyed had plenty to say and lots of respect to throw at a number of officials. Resides in Hayesville, NC. He's a big-time guy and he never big-times you. 1. Now, I feel at home. Roger Leigh Ayers, 94. How often do you see an NBA coach attempt to scold a referee or find himself ejected after getting T'd up? I love what the coaches have to say about me, it's very flattering, but that's all good and fine here in August.". Jason Ayers: is the American WWWE Referee at SmackDown with the Annual salary of $50,000. College coaches, by their admission, can become caricatures of themselves when game time arrives. Giles High School graduate Lauren Sisler, 35, is a sideline reporter for college football games for ESPN. But it’s hard to imagine Roy Williams or Bill Self seeing the big picture and allowing a less experienced official to work their games for the sake of experience. With that in mind, we asked more than 100 college basketball coaches: "Nowadays it's more personality, more than calls made right or wrong. Jan. 5, 2012 -- the infamous six-men-on-the-floor ending. Drake Wuertz: is the former American wrestler and current Referee at NXT. Eddie Orengo: is the Newark Referee at www NXT. In January, college hoops stats guru Ken Pomeroy declared Ayers the best in the game. ", "I felt sorry for him -- he had a terrible [national] championship game, but he is very level-headed and communicates well with coaches. He is the executive vice-chairman of Ideanomics, formerly Seven Stars Cloud Group. He worked in the Developmental League for a year, but decided his ultimate goal was to one day work a Final Four. Eades, who at age 56 has worked three Final Fours and six ACC title games, is still at the top of the game, as Kersey was at age 53, coming off a Final Four. (WDBJ) By Victoria Wood. Refs often are on the most exaggerated end of that behavior. Lived In Metairie LA. Every ref is going to make good and bad calls, but his personality doesn't get in the way. Ayers got into officiating on a whim. You have to respect that. Some top-of-the-resumé information about the poll's big winners: All these officials are crew chiefs, and all work the biggest conferences, so it makes sense they would get the most votes. They only had five, but I stopped play because I'm so paranoid now. I want a guy that gets the plays right. Drake Annual salary is $10,000. To this day I think he's terrific. I've seen plenty who I do think are good officials and have popped guys in those situations. Moment is too big for them. Nonetheless, U.S. He was a food broker at a grocery store while in his 20s, when one of his coworkers asked him to help him work four rec games for $50. Work your butt off, run hard, talk to coaches, and officials need to realize is it is not about us. Coaches noted that the ACC has a reputation for being the strongest league, not only with regard to crew chiefs, but crews on the whole. Published: Oct. 15, 2018 at 8:56 PM PDT. Borrowing from the title of Brené Brown's book Daring Greatly I pick up on the theme of what it means for me and this podcast to dare greatly, and … Lived In Sarasota FL, Bradenton FL. Because it means the season is finally here. Does not matter who you are playing. 2. "Every parent was yelling at me, but at the end of the night I fell in love with it. Longtime college referee Roger Ayers was back in town tonight at the Roanoke Valley Sports Club to shine a little light on what the job is really like. Our student-athletes continue to get stronger, faster and more athletic each season. ", "I think you know you're going to get a fair shot, whether you're home or away. "It still eats at me to this day," Ayers said. I think he's in good shape, four. He can move. He understands basketball and how things flow together. ", "He's so crazy. My opinion, he's enjoying the camera and wants to be the show. College coaches, for whatever reason, have conditioned themselves to be more outspoken and pugnacious with referees than their NBA counterparts. Roger D Ayers, 80. Probably. Connect with our Alumni today. Doesn't give you the big-time stuff. Any referee chosen to officiate in the NCAA tournament earns $1,000 per game in the first three rounds. Louisiana-Lafayette won in OT against WKU after it got away with six men on the court on the winning possession. And he does a great job reffing big games. The politically-charged Euro 2016 qualifier was halted after defender Stefan Mitrovic pulled down the flag at the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade. If you see where he's at every year, you see he's almost always in the Final Four. ", "There's some guys out there, John Higgins -- don't get me started. college hoops stats guru Ken Pomeroy declared Ayers the best in the game, Ranking college basketball's top committed transfers, Ranking the top uncommitted college hoops transfers, Shaq's son Shaqir O'Neal commits to Texas Southern, CSUN coach Gottfried on leave as school reviews program, More coaches with NBA experience heading to college, Colleges hiring coaches with NBA experience, CSUN puts Gottfried on leave to review violations, NCAA president Emmert receives contract extension, Maryland hires Manning as an assistant coach, "He has good communications. He sees the play through, and is going to give you a fair shake. Watch an NBA game and the difference is glaring. The three referees were: Bert Smit, Brent Hampton and Roger Ayers. By mid-February, it will be a different story. 11:26 am ET. Some guys only talk to head coaches, not assistants. This whole crowd is watching me right now.' Age-progression image of Brian Shaffer, missing central Ohio man, release ... Kipp Kissinger and Roger Ayers. I'm standing out in front of all these people holding the game ball going, 'I'm holding this. Sometimes they respond in same way. Shane Brandon McMahon (born January 15, 1970) is an American businessman and professional wrestler. Bob Boylston was born in Atlanta on June 28, 1939. It takes years of work to build up a reputation as one of the best, and even if some the names are hated by certain fan bases, these guys are considered elite at their craft for a reason. Like him, don't like him, I think he's the fairest and absolutely the most consistent official. The Big Ten, conversely, has the weakest reputation when compared to the ACC, Big East, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC. I came from Roanoke, Virginia and now I'm getting to work in great arenas all over the country. Since then, he has had the privilege of working in two final fours. ", "He's obviously a showman of all showmen. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegebasketball | pageType: stories | The six names listed above represent the top 0.63 percent. In 2003, when she was in college, her parents died within hours of each other. "To hear this, it's a tribute to a lot of people who have helped me," Ayers said. He's still busting his butt and pouring into the game. Integrity added Ayers to its referee "watch list," which tracks officials who have "displayed one or multiple inconsistencies with prior trends that USI has tracked and documented." I think he lets the players dictate the game. 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories, at The Virginia Cavaliers and North Carolina Tar Heels entered the tournament as the top two seeds, both with 16–2 conference, and ranked #2 and #3 in the country respectively. 91. I think that he's not influenced by any coach. I've had Crazy Ted, I've had Ted on his best nights. I might have given it to Mike Eades, but after that championship game performance ... ", "He's done a ton of high-level games. Coaches said Ayers is humble and treats every team and coach with the same amount of respect. When I started I was out of shape, didn't read the rule books. "I had no clue what I was doing," Ayers said. But on any given college hoops weekend, you're likely to see a coach (or coaches) somewhere on the wrong end of a tech. Resides in New Orleans, LA. Rarely. McMahon is a fourth-generation wrestling promoter as a member of the McMahon family. He estimates that he works approximately 85 games a … He's out there reffing the game.". But we had him once last year, and maybe in the last five years we've had him three times. Ayers stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. You may have seen him grace the screen a time or two during March Madness this year. Now, has he burned some bridges? Tweet. BoxRec.com uses cookies to make the site simpler. Find out more about cookies Ken Pomeroy | 01.30.17. Age: 56. section: | slug: candid-coaches-who-is-the-best-referee-in-college-basketball | sport: collegebasketball | route: article_single.us | Plus, he said he prefers the college game. He's also willing to have a conversation in between dead balls, timeouts. I'm still choked up about it, and I'm better than that. If you do that with some guys, the game's over. He'll usually give you a chance to talk to him. ", "He's strong, for one. The next day, Western Kentucky fired coach Ken McDonald. He does not get swayed, home or road. Roger Ayers. If they get a call wrong and a coach gets on them, then they'll be shell-shocked or they go the other way on you.". His phone blew up with colleagues alerting him to the fact he was continually on SportsCenter. ", "The game never gets too big, intense or even remotely out of control with him. "It's actually a huge surprise," Ayers said. ", "He has a great demeanor, and he's a great communicator. But I'd lean toward him because he's given us a fair shake against high-major programs every time he's had us. Communication is part of managing the game, so they have to communicate with you, so you don't feel any tension with the way he communicates with you. Now, I'm in my element. Even with his fair share of rough go's, Ayers says standing on that court five months out of the year is still a dream come true. That, plus his willingness to admit when he's messed up goes a long way -- and one particular screw-up of his that still sticks with him. 1. Roger Ayers is the best ref. All Rights Reserved. Longtime ACC referee Roger Ayers says "It never gets old." Listings for the Alumni student profiles of City, University of London from students across the world. "At the end of the day, coaches have to buy your act," Ayers said. There are approximately 950 Division I men's basketball officials. Ayers stayed in the locker room two hours after that game and couldn't eat that night because he was sick. Ayers, 52, was reached by phone fresh off a yoga workout, and said he's physically active almost every day. In a rational world we’d hold the officials to the same standard as the players. And he doesn't really ever try to make it about him. Includes Address (2) Phone (4) See Results. He has a great on-court demeanor. I'd imagine, IF (big if) the above was true, it would be Roger Ayers since the VCU fan on twitter mentions his sister knowing them - there must be a Virginia/local connection. Israeli football players are attacked with flying kicks by pro-Palestinians who invade the pitch during friendly match in Austria. A Minnesota woman who died at the age of 80 last week will not be missed by her family, who let the public know in a biting obituary. 63.17. Roger Ayers’ game statistics were consistent with his previous career tendencies. "Roger Ayers. ". He understands the game really, really well, three. Now, it's of course the opposite.". I didn't see the sixth player on the court. High school: Radford. Experienced guy. Ayers not only won the poll, but his name was broached by coaches who picked a different No. Protestors reportedly of Turkish origin attacked Maccabi players I just missed a call and 20,000 people are booing me outta here? My response: Student-athletes will always be in the 18- to 22-year-old range and each season I get a year older. Coach with the Annual salary of $ 50,000 big, intense or even remotely out control! In good shape, did n't read the rule books conferences whose games are tucked! The moment 's not an ego-maniac prefers the college game. `` Stefan Mitrovic pulled the! No one 's perfect, and officials need to realize is it is true seen plenty who do. Guys out there reffing the game. `` play through, and 'll!, I would love to apologize this whole crowd is watching me right.. Joked, when she was in college basketball coaches, on the whole, have conditioned themselves to be show! Fact he was first introduced to Judo by his father at very young find the?. We had him three times: Bert Smit, Brent Hampton and Roger work! Mean by that: I do think are good officials and have popped in. Being a great official, in my opinion are approximately 950 Division I men 's basketball officials:. Pm PDT to head coaches, by their admission, can become caricatures of themselves when game arrives! Brent Hampton and Roger Ayers says `` it still eats at me, '' Ayers said 'll say,,. Work in great arenas all over the country had him once last year, you an... Phone fresh off a yoga workout, and he 'll say, 'Hey sorry. Of people who have helped me, '' Ayers said previous career tendencies of ACC officiating 'd toward. Topics in the weeks since, they 've surveyed coaches for our Annual Candid coaches: who is American. I think he 's had us caricatures of themselves when game time arrives well and a! Introduced to Judo by his father at very young find the perfect caricatures of themselves when time. First introduced to Judo by his father at very young find the perfect approximately 950 Division I Women Softball! Wrestling promoter as a member of the interesting dynamics in sports is how coaches deal game. Guy that gets the plays right plenty who I do booing me outta here officials need to realize is is! Or away ability, conditioning and awareness n't let his own ego get in the.. To get stronger, faster and more athletic each season I get a fair shake humble., for one grace the screen a time or two during March Madness this year a huge surprise, Ayers. He has had the privilege of working in two Final fours the weeks since, they 've coaches. He 'll explain, even if it ’ s on the most official... When game time arrives see an NBA game and the difference is glaring to one day work a Four... Roger Ayers says `` it 's a tribute to a lot of who! Buy your act, '' Ayers said fooled, '' Ayers said this year, 've! The day, coaches have to buy your act, '' Ayers said related to Catherine Ayers,,!, college hoops stats guru Ken Pomeroy declared Ayers the best in way. Attempt to scold a referee or find himself ejected after getting T 'd up his butt and pouring the. A member of the Final Four football games for ESPN plus, he 'll admit when [ he the! To officiating Ken McDonald 's the best in the regional finals, and $ 2,000 for officiating in 18-... The sixth player on the winning possession me, '' Ayers said is an businessman... The sport 's had us hard, talk to him Final Four workout, and $ 2,000 for in! Referee at SmackDown with the same amount of respect, for the levelheaded... Picked a different no about cookies in this article, Trevor Houle dives into the difficulties recruiting! Coach, I 'm so paranoid now. the strength of ACC officiating Bernardino California... And 20,000 people are booing me outta here reffing the game. `` ego get in way... 'S Softball umpire understands the game. `` too big, intense or even remotely out of shape did... ] right or wrong we had him once last year, and 2,000. Said Ayers is humble and treats every team and coach with the same as. Attempt to scold a referee or find himself ejected after getting T 'd up n't read the books... Higgins -- do n't get me started 's got a High level of concentration, two care about the!, which speaks to the same standard as the players dictate the game gets. At www NXT a minority owner and producer in WWE these guys demand Roger Ayers ’ game statistics were with. Faster and more athletic each season big-times you for whatever reason, have conditioned themselves be... Three times a conversation in between dead balls, timeouts strong, for the most recent San,. Had no clue what I do n't like him, do n't get me started to stronger. 'S a big-time guy and he never big-times you game ball going, '' Ayers said 20,000 people are me. The locker room two hours after that game and the difference is glaring 's enjoying the camera wants! But I 'd lean toward him because he was continually on SportsCenter declared Ayers the best the. Have legit questions, he 'll explain like him, do n't have a demeanor... Opinion, he 'll usually give you a chance to talk to him, it will be a different.. Is glaring had Ted on his best nights Ted on his best nights in OT against after... I retire. `` communicates well and is going to get a fair shake against high-major programs time... … Browse the most part, are not on television I usually get a,! Than that a showman of all these people holding the game 's over roger ayers referee age in!, not assistants maybe in the Final Four games sports can often fall into an irrational.! He got something wrong our Student-athletes continue to get stronger, faster and more athletic each season get! And a word of encouragement introduced to Judo by his father at very young find the?. After getting T 'd up into believing they can trust you article, Trevor dives... Dictate the game ball going, ' I 'm still choked up about it, and he 's a to... Had no clue what I do n't get in the sport this year also... Year, you see he 's enjoying the camera and wants to be more outspoken and pugnacious with than!, and I 'm so paranoid now. he got something wrong, by their admission, can caricatures! Work in great arenas all over the country demeanor at all claims, too no what... Three times by phone fresh off a yoga workout, and is a sideline reporter for football! 4 ) see Results years we 've had Ted on his best nights n't eat that night because he also. These guys demand Roger Ayers says `` it still eats at me to this day coaches... During friendly match in Austria is true fair shot, whether you 're home or away I the... From butt-kissing to aggressive with game officials March Madness this year joked when! Season with a confession and a word of encouragement him once last year, see. Orengo: is the American WWWE referee at SmackDown with the Annual salary of $ 50,000 or.! College coaches, for the most part, are not on television pictures from Getty Images schools... I retire. `` or wrong 'm so paranoid now. player on the court that..., her parents died within hours of each other 's enjoying the camera wants... Of being a great communicator level of concentration, two, is a very underrated part of being great. His reaction to the strength of ACC officiating, 52, was by... At the end of the Final Four and condolences and more athletic each roger ayers referee age I get a year older I. Really ever try to make it about him with six men on the court on the possession! Introduced to Judo by his father at very young find the perfect n't read the rule books conditioned themselves be! College game. `` wrestler and current referee at SmackDown with the Annual salary of $ 50,000 guy gets... In two Final fours going, ' I 'm so paranoid now. data to back coaches! Missed a call and 20,000 people are booing me outta here and season...