Karl Hess is done officiating Atlantic Coast Conference basketball games, apparently after offending a Wake Forest booster during Sunday’s game against the University of Louisville. The ACC has cut ties with Hess, according to reports.
The turning point for Hess came at a key point midway in the second half after Wake Forest had closed to with one point, 56-55, of the Cardinals. Hess called WF’s Darius Leonard was called for a block on a Chris Jones layup attempt.
Sitting courtside was Wake Forest booster Mit Shah, chairman of Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group, who reacted angrily, protesting to Hess about the call. According to a Shah tweet, Hess responded, “When I’m older, I want to sit in your seat & watch your Egyptian ass ref a game”
If Hess did make the comment, it was the wrong thing to say, especially for a white guy in today’s racially- and culturally-charged climate. Not cool. Certainly not forgivable.
But he has been involved in a number of other controversies. In 2012, he ejected two former North Carolina State players from their seats behind the scorer’s table during during a game against Florida State, an act that would earn him a reprimand from the ACC. Last month Hess assessed N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried a technical foul four minutes into the game.
The call UofL fans will recall most was Hess assessing a technical foul against Coach Rick Pitino during a game against Georgetown in the 2011-12 season. Pitino claimed he was yelling at one of his own players when he was tagged. UofL was 11-0 at the time but lost that game, 71-68.