Everyone needs to re-read the description of the encounter from the GB newspaper:
UWGB radio announcer Matt Menzl briefly was off the air during the game after referee Pat Adams kicked him off press row for what Menzl described as a misunderstanding.
Menzl said Adams thought he was waving him off after a call went against the Phoenix.
“I talk with my hands,” Menzl said. “I was trying to describe that we had two guys fighting for the ball, and he took it as I waved him off, like saying that’s a horrible call.
“At first he gave me a warning. Then two seconds later said, ‘I want this guy removed and I won’t start the game until he gets removed.’”
Menzl had to hand over his headset to an Oakland play-by-play announcer and went into the tunnel, where he explained the situation to UWGB athletic director Mary Ellen Gillespie and Horizon League spokesman Bill Potter.
Potter told Menzl to go back and that they’d deal with it.
“I maybe missed actual game action, a couple minutes,” Menzl said.
To reiterate, the radio announcer was not complaining about the call. Pat Adams completely misinterpreted what was happening and decided to interject himself into the situation. It was inappropriate, petty, and sanctionable. Just as I suggested when he changed the outcome of the A&M game, I think this league should fine Adams exactly the same amount that he was paid to officiate the game. The same penalty should be assessed for each game where he loses control and does something that affects the integrity of the outcome or the reputation of the sport.
This is the single best way to eliminate Adams and other "veteran" officials who should have been pushed out long ago. The independent contractor system used to assign referees is broken, so there's no way that the problem will go away on its own. But this approach will ensure problem officials no longer have any incentive to continue to request assignments. Either they'll stop asking for work, or they'll change they way they do their jobs. Money talks.
More generally, there is simply no justification for Adams to continue to be employed as a sports official at any level. He's repeatedly demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of the role of the referee, and it's obvious that he doesn't have the temperment to handle the often emotional circumstances involving highly competitive people that are a huge part of the game.
Adams might be a great guy. I'm sure there's a job out there that he can do well. But there's one thing we know for sure--He's terrible at his current job, and his incompetence is an embarrassment to the NCAA and the conferences who continue to employ him. Enough is enough.
