ACC: Hess reprimanded (8pm Update)

8pm Update:
J.P. Giglio writes that Gugs and Fire were kicked out for “excessive demonstration” (N&O):

In the email to N.C. State, Hess wrote:

“They were ejected for excessive demonstration on several calls as they came right up to the scorer’s table. The policeman at the end of the FSU bench was warned that their continual excessive demonstration that incited the crowd would result in ejection.”

ACC commissioner John Swofford issued a statement on Monday night about Hess’ role in the ejection.

“Karl Hess is one of the best on-court officials in college basketball, but the ACC has established a game management protocol, which allows the opportunity to potentially diffuse any situations before they reach the level of ejection,” Swofford’s statement read.

“This reprimand is a result of a failure to follow that protocol. We have to depend on our officials and their judgments; and the explanation from Karl Hess regarding this matter has been shared with the ACC and N.C. State University.”

As further evidence this is nothing but typical ACC bullshit, here are two examples of regular fan behavior that is in fact, not considered “excessive demonstration” by the ACC.

Meanwhile, this is Gugs and Fire completely out of control — just look at that body language!

Out of control!

Hess must not have been working this game.

*****

Not sure what’s changed since the statement Saturday Night — other than I think the ACC expected us to get over this, ignoring the fact we haven’t the proclivity for getting over stuff — but Karl Hess got a slap on the wrist (WRAL):

The Atlantic Coast Conference has publicly reprimanded official Karl Hess for failing to follow procedure when ejecting two former North Carolina State stars from the stands during a weekend game.

In a statement Monday night, the league said it had conducted a “thorough review” of the events leading up to Hess’ ejections of former Wolfpack stars Chris Corchiani and Tom Gugliotta from seats behind the scorer’s table during Saturday’s loss to Florida State.

The reprimand doesn’t reveal a reason why Hess ejected Corchiani and Gugliotta…

WTVD’s Mark Armstrong says via Twitter (@ArmstrongWTVD):

Just got word from State that the ACC is expected to release more info about Saturday’s ejections tonight.

Stay tuned.  I think we can sum up State fans’ reaction to the ACC’s latest statement:

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143 Responses to ACC: Hess reprimanded (8pm Update)

  1. hoop 02/20/2012 at 8:15 PM #

    I suppose this is some progress, using the word “reprimanded.” But you have it right. Nothing really changed. They reprimanded Rudolf Hess… Woops, I meant Carl Hess for ejecting them incorrectly. A-holes.

  2. 61Packer 02/20/2012 at 8:15 PM #

    But is this an apology?

  3. GAWolf 02/20/2012 at 8:17 PM #

    This is more of the same….problem. Without a legitimate reason to eject it doesn’t matter whether he followed protocol at all. In fact, without an explaination the reason is simply that he acted unprofessionally, not only in failing to follow protocol, but also in the bad act itself. It seems logical that the failing to follow protocol was likely another symptom of his unprofessional behavior.

    Certainly we aren’t to be satisfied with this.

  4. redsteel 02/20/2012 at 8:18 PM #

    Am I correct in noting this not really a penalty at all? There is no punishment involved here whatsoever? Am I missing something?

  5. tractor57 02/20/2012 at 8:20 PM #

    Reclaim the ACC!
    The proper response would be “your services are no longer needed”

  6. GAWolf 02/20/2012 at 8:22 PM #

    “Karl Hess is one of the best on-court officials in college basketball, but the ACC has established a game management protocol, which allows the opportunity to potentially diffuse any situations before they reach the level of ejection,” ACC commissioner John Swofford said in the statement. “His reprimand is a result of a failure to follow that protocol.

    That statement is exactly the slap in the face that blew this thing up in the first place. It’s semantics. And it actually justifies the act as opposed to apologizing for it.

    Garbage.

  7. Wilson F. 02/20/2012 at 8:22 PM #

    That statement also said he is one of the best ref’s in the ACC.
    YIKES!

  8. packfan81 02/20/2012 at 8:23 PM #

    Not only is there no penalty or apology, but according to the story posted at wral, Swofford actually managed to throw in a compliment of Hess in the release “Karl Hess is one of the best on-court officials in college basketball . . . .” Unbelievable.

  9. GAWolf 02/20/2012 at 8:23 PM #

    The punishment doesn’t bother me one way or the other….it’s the ACC failing to see why this, in light of the scheduling and the Duke debacle, has enraged anyone associated with NCState who still has a pulse.

  10. GAWolf 02/20/2012 at 8:26 PM #

    Just read it again to make sure I didn’t miss something.

    My final conclusion: this is like a parent saying “because I told you so.”

  11. Wilson F. 02/20/2012 at 8:26 PM #

    All this is typical Swoffordism in what should be called the Blue Conference!

  12. wolfbuff 02/20/2012 at 8:27 PM #

    Exactly what does a “public reprimand” mean, especially when conjoined with a compliment? Nothing. Try some transparency, ACC. Sack up, tell the truth, and take swift, decisive action. I don’t believe this incident has to end his career but he should be held accountable and punished for his irrespinsible decision, immaturity, and abuse of power. He is at home now thumbing his nose at NC State.

  13. backnine 02/20/2012 at 8:29 PM #

    Without an explanation this statement is once again worthless. Why is it so damn hard for the ACC to issue Hess’s explanation???? Unless and untill that happens, this issue is NOT over and won’t be let go!!! Those involved, as well the entire university community are OWED that explanation PERIOD!

    Anyone think Hess will ever step foot on the RBC Center court again? HESS YOU SUCK! HESS YOU SUCK!! Guess he’d have to throw out the entire crowd.

  14. packfan81 02/20/2012 at 8:36 PM #

    Maybe we should award John Swofford the inaugural rectal-cranial inversion award tomorrow night.

  15. WV Wolf 02/20/2012 at 8:37 PM #

    When Googs is 6-10 240 and his seats are front row behind the scorers table, when he stands up he’s automatically “right up to the scorers table”

    And if Swofford thinks “Karl Hess is one of the best on-court officials in college basketball” then I guess he didn’t see that goaltend at the end of the West Virginia/Syracuse game either. (yes I’m still bitter, Karl Hess has now screwed over both my teams)

  16. AirWolf 02/20/2012 at 8:39 PM #

    If you don’t wear Blue, the foul is on you.

    It’s simply the CDC………….. Carolina Duke Conference.

  17. vtpackfan 02/20/2012 at 8:40 PM #

    “Let’s cut the cake!”

  18. StandUpAndHowl 02/20/2012 at 8:40 PM #

    Translation: “We are sorry that this thing wouldn’t go away.”

  19. tractor57 02/20/2012 at 8:41 PM #

    Note to “the Swoff” – this IS NOT over

  20. wolfpacker 02/20/2012 at 8:41 PM #

    AND, what did you expect from Swoff?

  21. GAWolf 02/20/2012 at 8:42 PM #

    WV: and therein you find the horrible stretch he had to go to to get even a laughably believable explanation. This statement to the person who hasn’t seen the video would give the impression they were literally rushing the scorer’s table.

    Has Swofford or Clougherty even seen the video?

  22. SqlWolf 02/20/2012 at 8:43 PM #

    Lame is the only word that comes to mind. We can’t let this pass until Hess and Swofford issue a public explanation.

  23. wolfpacker 02/20/2012 at 8:45 PM #

    If you read a post from yesterday, someone told Hess he’d never make it to the Big Leagues, he got mad…what a pansy.

  24. wolfpacker 02/20/2012 at 8:45 PM #

    If you read a post from yesterday, someone told Hess he’d never make it to the Big Leagues, he got mad…what a pansy.

  25. john of sparta 02/20/2012 at 8:45 PM #

    ACCN…mo’ money/mo’ ratings.
    if Jeremy Lin is *Linsanity*
    could Hess be “Hessteria”?

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