Protocol is the issue -- not distraction
If you do a follow-up to the article, can you please address the issue of fan ejection protocol? My understanding is that Hess did not attempt to control the situation by informing the State staff of the issue prior to ejection. To me, that's the issue here -- courtesy (as well as the rule book) should require an official to attempt to control the situation through home-team staff unless the behavior of the fan is threatening; I haven't seen any indication at all that either of the former players did anything the least bit threatening. Distracting? Maybe. But handling potential distraction should demand the courtesy of protocol.
I thought the Playcaller's article was excellent
...and as good a brief for Hess' case as can be made. It, however, left me unconvinced.
Here's what I focus on. An official throwing a fan, no matter who they are, out of a game, is a very unusual action. To me, taking that action requires a specific explanation that is more than a 2 days later opaque description of what happened.
And seriously, it wasn't two random fans he threw out, it was two recognizable State alums, both of whom have their jerseys in the rafters.
In my profession, people I work for tend to do a lot of things for which they are criticized very publicly. and they make those decisions anyway. But they know when making them, that the more public and controversial the decision,, the more it requires a good explanation.
Hess may have had good reasons for tossing out Corchiani and Gugliotta - though the evidence I have seen is not compelling. But the idea that this was just another decision, and requires no greater care or explanation is a fundmental failure, both of the official and of the league.
Thinking About the Incident...
My two cents: the truth will never be known. Suppose Hess was on solid grounds for seeking some action against Corchiani and Gugliotta: they were not only riding the officials but interfering with the official scorer and timekeeper functions. No way the ACC is going to go after two legends of ACC basketball. Suppose there was no basis whatsoever in Hess's actions. Then it becomes a personnel matter (year, I know he's a contractor, but whatever), and there is no reason for the ACC to air out this particular bag of laundry. The Conference found a serious procedural discrepancy and used that for discipline and as the public release on l'affaire C&G. If there is more wrongdoing on Hess's part, we will see it a loss of assignments or a severing of ties to the ACC.
If C&G were out of line, what clearly should have happened was that Hess discuss the problem with the State official responsible for the game. That official would have said something to C&G, and the problem probably would be over (either because they piped down or changed their seats). That did not happen. If it was not resolved, Hess could then have asked State to move (or remove) the former players.
Anyway, change freely given.
sagegrouse
You read too much into what I said
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jderf
Well, if this is the colossal error that is the culmination of a career filled to the brim with grandstanding, inconsistency and generally poor work, it really isn't all that bad when you think about it. It didn't really affect the outcome of the game at all, and although he clearly didn't follow protocol, it is probable that Hess had his reasons. He obviously underestimated the timing of such a gaffe, in the wake of questionable officiating (from NC State's point of view) in a brutal loss, with a severely wounded and vulnerable fanbase. But it apparently wasn't even his worst call of the month, though I have to admit I haven't seen a video of the missed goaltending call. While the decision was certainly a bad one, executed improperly, and at a very bad moment for the fanbase--I feel like the reaction has largely been overblown. Now, the ACC's Orwellian response to the situation hasn't helped, fueling even more anger from the fans. But in the grand scheme of things, is this really that big of a deal?
I don't think it is the colossal error or the culmination of a career filled with grandstanding, inconsistency and generally poor work. I merely think this is a symptom or an indication as to how overblown Hess's ego has become. It's not the error, but its a strong indication that he thinks he's above reproach, and that what he's been doing all these years, which vascilates between simply ruining otherwise watchable game and out and out effecting the outcome of games, is right.
The missed goaltend was attrocious, but hell, so too was the screw job he gave us in the 2004 ACC title game.
It's a wonder we all don't aspire to be officials. There's no accountability, it seems, and unlike most other professions, no correlation between the quality of your work and the success of your career.
