Hightower to retire somewhat soon.

[spliff45]

Got this nugget from an Illinois writer. Everyone's favorite ref will retire within the next 2 years.

5 O'Clock Shadow - Illinois Fighting Illini Sports Men's Basketball News - IlliniHQ.com

 

[sioux34]

I was hoping for within the next two minutes.

 

[H8IAST8]

Somewhat soon would have been 1997

 

[sportstalent]

No matter when, it wasn't soon enough

 

[Hawk4Life76]

This is terrible...Imagine how much air time he's going to want over the next 2 years.

 

[tm3308]

This is terrible...Imagine how much air time he's going to want over the next 2 years.

WINNER!!!!

 

[JHHawk]

Can we get Mike Sanzere,Ted Valentine and a few others to join him?

When I watch the NBA, it seems like the old refs, despite being cranky,like Joey Crawford, are the better refs overall. The younger guy doing the Bulls-Heat game the other day,Jason Phillips, was so bad that even Reggie Miller and Steve Kerr made note of his run of 4 bad calls against the Bulls in a row,which they rarely do.

But in college ball, the old guys seem to be the worst,generally. I do not think they really get graded,and it is more of a seniority rules type of deal.
I know, the NBA guys are professionals,but still, need some quality control on these college refs. My brother,a high school ref, is better than Hightower.

 

[1hawkeye1]

The sad thing is, the national media just drools over him.
"oh, Ed is the best of the B1G refs."
Whoever started that BS should be ***** slapped.

 

[dmShortSaledude]

Somewhat soon would have been 1997

Exactly.

Hightower is way past his prime, and we didn't like that. He is old. Period. He needs to hit the pasture, before he seriously screws up a game call(s). He has been throttling game momentum for decades. That needs to end.

Having Hightower ref an important game today (or any game for that matter), would be like my grandfather flying jumbo jets. Not a good idea... Retirement ages are set for reason.

The B1G needs to have the age limits for referees revisited.

 

[storminspank]

not soon enough

Hopefully he takes Ted Valentine with him

 

[sioux34]

. Retirement ages are set for reason.

The B1G needs to have the age limits for referees revisited.

This isn't about his age. He sucked 25 years ago.

 

[seepig]

Ed Hightower hates Iowa...or he's incompetent either way. Ed don't let the door hit you on the A _ S on the way out buddy! Hallelujah things are looking up for the Hawks to win a conference title in 3 years.

 

[leiserom]

Maybe he can go back and call D3 ball or HS ball. That would be interesting. Actually there is a guy I know in Houston who was an NBA official. He now calls D2,D3, JUCO and HS. But it doesnt bother him. He loves the game. Worked a girls scrimmage with him last year. Eddie needs to go back down and work with some younger officials where he lives. A friend of mine who was a top womens official(worked a couple of regionals) went back down and called HS ball after he didnt make the staff when the B12 and SW conference combined. He and I became good friends. He only finally quit when he had knee surgery and his wife told him the lower levels werent worth the money.

However given Hightowers ego, he will probably just quit period

 

[braytonra]

Hightower is the equivelent of all star wrestlers. He is an actor that thinks he is performing in the spotlight. He uses exaggerated hand gestures, makes calls from 50 feet away, favors the home court wherever he performs. ESPN is the two little old ladies in the front row that worship his acting. I for one, am sick and tired of his antics. I blame the Big 10 for letting this go on.