Pac-10 Dismisses USC Concern
Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen just issued a statement supporting the officiating crew for the USC-Arizona State game and dismissed the notion that an official considered calling a blocking foul instead of a charge on Daniel Hackett.
PAC-10 OFFICIATING CREW SUPPORTED BY COMMISSIONER
WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--Pac-10 Conference Commissioner Tom Hansen today announced support for game officials David Hall, Randy McCall and Dick Cartmell for their work in last Sunday's (February 15) USC-Arizona State game.
Several media outlets incorrectly reported on the officiating mechanics on a play in the final minute of the game.
Officials David Hall and Randy McCall simultaneously whistled a foul with :47.9 seconds remaining in the contest. Hall called a charge on USC's Daniel Hackett. McCall did not signal a block call nor indicate a basket had been made as has been erroneously reported.
"The play was correctly officiated and the proper mechanics were used on the call," Hansen said. "Video confirms that Mr. McCall did not make any signal other than raising his right arm to indicate he had seen a foul. He then checked with Mr. Hall, and upon seeing he had called a charging foul, pointed at Hall to confirm he agreed with the call.
"It is puzzling how anyone who observed the play could have imagined that Mr. McCall signaled any specific type of foul," he added. "He definitely did not."
I didn't see the play and thus, I cannot comment on it specifically. But what I can comment on, is the fact that I find it very "puzzling" that a commissioner as piss-poor as Tom Hansen clearly is, was able to work as long as he did without getting fired. It's just utterly amazing!
Upon further reflection (via Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT8b5rJenoQ) it was a terrible call - and the two refs certainly used completely different arm motions to signal a foul. The baseline official immediately threw his arm forward to indicate a charge, while the sideline official threw his arm up (typically the beginning of a blocking signal that ends with hands on the waist). Besides, the ASU player slid underneath Hackett and never did set his feet.
It was a bad call all around - and worse for that chump Hansen to chime in about it like he did. That said, CTF does go a little nuts from time to time.
I am discovering that I disagree with every word out of Tom Hansen's mouth.
Tom Hansen and Roland Burris. Nominees for the 2009 Class of the Liars Club.