Why Was Referee Tommi Paris Removed Mid Game By NCAA?

Due to a prior conflict, the NCAA replaced the referee Tommi Paris during the second half of Saturday’s game between Chattanooga and NC State.

Why Was Referee Tommi Paris Removed Mid Game By NCAA?

Angelica Suffren, who had worked the first game at the location, took Tommi Paris’s position in the women’s NCAA Tournament first round match.

“There was a switch of game officials at halftime of the Chattanooga-N.C. State first-round game because it was learned after the game had started that Umpire 2 Tommi Paris had a background conflict that, if known, would prevent her from working that assigned game,” the NCAA said in a statement after an inquiry from The Associated Press.

Angelica Suffren took Tommi Paris’s place for the second half of the first-round match. Suffren had presided over the site’s inaugural competition.

To avoid any possible conflicts, all officials who are being evaluated for the NCAA Tournament must reveal their school connections. The dispute in this case was not declared.

Shawn Poppie, the coach of Chattanooga, was taken aback by the halftime decision.

“They literally just … got me in the locker room and said they were making a change. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t see anything specific. Maybe the second time in my career that’s happened. But the other one there was an injury, so you knew. But this one, I’m not really sure.”

Suffren was on the floor for the second half of Chattanooga vs. NC State, having worked the previous game between Green Bay and Tennessee. The standby official for the game had been identified as Danielle Jackson.

According to the NCAA’s announcement, Suffren’s return to the court was chosen “because it provided the most on-court experience and allowed the game to maintain a full officiating crew, plus standby.”

NC State prevailed 64–45. Poppie was called with a technical foul by Suffren in the fourth quarter, with the Mocs behind 50–28.

 

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