Who remembers Ted Valentine

[Randolph Duke]

For those who weren't following Texas basketball 10 years ago, the name Ted Valentine is one that still infuriates fans that were.

Playing in the 2004 tournament in a "Sweet 16" game with less than four seconds left and Texas down by three, Valentine called a questionable foul on Texas' P.J. Tucker. When Rick Barnes made a comment to Valentine questioning the call, Valentine called a double technical on Barnes and threw him out of the game. Xavier then shot six free throws and the Horns lost. This was the same game than when Valentine called a fifth foul on Brandon Mouton and when Mouton asked for an explanation, Valentine shot back "Shut the hell up, you aren't in the NBA." Class act, Valentine is not. He has long been an example of what is wrong with college basketball. He thinks the fans are there to see him and not the players.

Well, TV Ted is getting ready for the NCAA tournament, that time in March when all college fans tune in to watch Ted Valentine and somehow tolerate the college kids on the court with him (as Valentine obviously sees things). Last night he threw out a fan in the stands in last night's Auburn/South Carolina game. The out of line behavior of the fan was to yell "Blow the whistle" at Valentine.

At some point, college basketball fans are going to have had enough of Ted Valentine. That day can't come soon enough.

http://www.theplainsman.com/view/full_story/24646433/article-Auburn-fan-ejected-from-men-s-basketball-game?instance=home_news_lead_story

 

[More Cowbell]

I was at that game in Atlanta. Valentine is a jackass. I didn't know he was still working. My favorite ref was the big guy that wore his pants up real high. I'm blanking out on his name. Seems like his first name was Steve.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I officiate THSFB.

This Ted Valentine is a colossal douchebag. I will take the time to give a kid an explanation for my call if he asks respectfully. Same with coaches on the sidelines.

 

[More Cowbell]

My favorite ref was the big guy that wore his pants up real high. I'm blanking out on his name. Seems like his first name was Steve.

Just came to me, Steve Welmer. The interwebs says he retired at the end of the 2010 - 2011 season due to a bad knee. He worked a bunch of Big 12 games.

 

[JimR]

Yep. I remember.

 

[Pancho Negro]

I was at that game in Atlanta. Valentine is a jackass. I didn't know he was still working. My favorite ref was the big guy that wore his pants up real high. I'm blanking out on his name. Seems like his first name was Steve.

Steve Welmer.

He was fired. (Kinda retired too because of foot issues)

He was one of the worst officials, but coaches liked him because he could manage a basketball game. He worked multiple BCS conferences, but, silly enough, never got the NCAA tournament. (I think one year he got the 1st round and that's it.)

Valentine can definitely be abrasive, but there's a reason he works in so many conferences and coaches want him in their games. The fans have no say so with officials so what does "the fans will have enough of him" even imply?

 

[Pancho Negro]

I officiate THSFB.
This Ted Valentine is a colossal douchebag. I will take the time to give a kid an explanation for my call if he asks respectfully. Same with coaches on the sidelines.

I ref college basketball, and I'm the same way with coaches and players. If they talk to me like an adult, I'll respond. If they yell at me like I'm their player, they'll get nothing.