Hightower emotional in officiating farewell

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

Hightower emotional in officiating farewell | TheGazette

From article:

“When (Iowa) opened the new arena with Michigan State, and I had that last play of the game where (Steve) Carfino stepped out of bounds, and (Bobby) Hansen hit the 3 and I disallowed it,â€￾ Hightower said. “We were reminiscing about that. I’d been in the Big Ten, but that gave me credibility as far as not being afraid to make a call against the home team or the visiting team. A lot of great, great memories of this league, coming to Iowa City over the years, and I’m sure with Franny (Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery) here, you’re going to return to those glory days.â€￾ - See more at: Hightower emotional in officiating farewell | TheGazette

 

[judzeehawk]

Way to toot your own horn. Always got to be center of attention. Just don't care for him.

 

[longtimer]

What 30 years and 4 final 4s? Something like that. Basketball is a very very difficult sport to referee. Anyone who has tried would know that. I cant imagine how difficult at the college level with the speed size and athletes.
I dont see how you cant give the guy some credit for the run?

 

[metahawk]

Nice thing about him retiring is that we won't have to see threads about Hightower anymore.

 

[metahawk]

What 30 years and 4 final 4s? Something like that. Basketball is a very very difficult sport to referee. Anyone who has tried would know that. I cant imagine how difficult at the college level with the speed size and athletes.
I dont see how you cant give the guy some credit for the run?

We understand your son has done a lot in life. But officiating by it's nature is the subject of criticism, and your son has had more than the usual thrown his way. Respect is earned not given - don't take it so personally. I'm sure your son is a fascination person, and your an awesome mom for standing up for him.

 

[ibahawkeye]

We understand your son has done a lot in life. But officiating by it's nature is the subject of criticism, and your son has had more than the usual thrown his way. Respect is earned not given - don't take it so personally. I'm sure your son is a fascination person, and your an awesome mom for standing up for him.

Name one good official that has done it for at least 20 years at the college level.

Ya can't because all people remember of an official are the bad calls and if you've been doing it as long as Eddie, you'll have some calls that have went against your team.

 

[longtimer]

Seems to me most on this Board are the ones taking it personal. I suspect there are a lot of people (including Iowa players and coaches) that do have respect for the guy. Lets just hope that when you retire your coworkers or employees dont feel it necessary to be so critical

 

[brhawks18]

Way to toot your own horn. Always got to be center of attention. Just don't care for him.

Sorry, I disagree with your statement above. I travel often including back home to the Des Moines area 2 to 4 times during the winter months. On more then one occasion, I've been on the same plane back to St. Louis with him. It's usually the morning after he's officiated a Drake game.

He's nice and very humble. He gave me his business card from his role as the Edwardsville, IL Superintendent. He said call him anytime. If you saw the facilities this school district has you'd be amazed. He's done a tremendous job there. Some of the best academic and athletic results in the St. Louis metro area.

As an official, he's been pretty darn good at keeping games under control and making it about the players. Perfect? No. But who is? There are several other officials that unfortunately make the game about them.

Sorry, but I just never got why some Hawk fans didn't like him.

 

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

Also from article:

“When I see Aaron White improve like what he has through this period of time, and to be a great kid, your heart just goes out,” Hightower said after the game. “And those are the kinds of things that I’m going to miss.”


“I’ve always liked him since I’ve been here,” White said. “It was kind of sad to see his last game. He had told me just he follows us a lot because he likes Coach (Fran) McCaffery and he likes how we play. He just said keep getting better and he’ll be watching me and he likes me as a player so it was nice to have his last game here. He had a great career.”
- See more at: Hightower emotional in officiating farewell | TheGazette