It seems bad calls and questionable management are part of a normal day on any athletic stage, but after Saturday’s game between Wisconsin and Arizona State, the Pac-12 refused to let officials’ shortcomings go unnoticed.
Commissioner Larry Scott publicly reprimanded officials for inadequately handling the end of the game and announced the Pac-12 will continue to work with officials “to ensure this type of situation never occurs again.” As a spectator, a fan, and a journalist, I think Scott’s brief announcement was a strong move and healthy for the conference as a whole.
On the surface the announcement won’t result in anything dramatic. The NCAA will only get involved if there is a continuing problem with how officials are handling the games. Yes, there has been debate over how crucial the call was, but I think what stands as more important is the conference’s decision to acknowledge the poor nature of the call.
The public reprimand stands as another classic Scott move. The commissioner has already developed a reputation as an involved and active sports administrator, even before taking the reins of the conference in 2009. After four years in office, Scott appears as a commissioner out to protect his teams in players. After the infamous Oregon Blount Punch, he called Boise State’s conference commissioner and demanded a reprimand of the player who riled Blount. This week’s public announcement, calling out the officials, sends the same message: the Pac-12 will demand fairness.
Whether it’s through a conference championship, equal punishment, or even cleaning up calls, the Pac-12 and Scott are making a slow but sure climb away from mediocrity and toward respect in the collegiate athletic world. I think Scott’s announcement was proactive and hands on. Surely it won’t prevent officials from making bad calls or blowing games but it reminds the striped flag throwers that someone upstairs is keeping watch – and cares. More importantly, it’s more credible to address these problems early in the season rather than reacting to a sloppy call on a bigger more crucial stage.
There’s no question that the games and calls won’t be perfect but at least the announcement suggests the Pac-12 won’t stand by when someone fails to do their job.
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