Smith calling game involving former Tomcat coach

Local Sports

Discussion

October 29, 2009

By MARK MAYNARD / The Independent The Daily Independent Thu Oct 29, 2009, 12:01 PM EDT

Now the whistle is on the other shirt.

Darryl Smith, a veteran Mid-American Conference college basketball official, will be working a game Friday where his former high school coach is on one of the benches.

Paul Patterson, who coached Ashland from 1976-79, brings Taylor University to Ohio University for an exhibition game in Athens, Ohio, at 7:30 p.m.

The assignment happened purely by chance, Smith said.

“It’s a MAC assignment that comes from the supervisor (of officials),” Smith said. “I saw the first game was Taylor University and I thought, boy, that sounds familiar.”

Smith remembered it was where Patterson went after coaching Ashland to four consecutive 16th Region titles and an amazing unblemished record within the region during that time.

“He did something here for four years that probably will never be done again,” Smith said of the undefeated record against region competition.

Smith was a vital cog on the Tomcats’ 1977 team that went 32-2 and reached the state final four before falling to Louisville Valley.

“I may be a little partial, but when we get into these conversations, I think it’s one of the better Ashland teams that went through there,” Smith said. “He played about eight of us interchangeably. We were in tremendous, tremendous shape.”

Patterson left for Taylor University in Indiana after four years with the Tomcats. He has amassed 667-318 record with 15 conference championships and 14 appearances in NAIA national tournaments.

Patterson was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1996.

“Had he wanted to get to the Division I level, he could have,” Smith said. “He got to Taylor and found something he really loved.”

Smith said Patterson will be ready for him when the game tips off tonight.

“Coach Patterson is one of the wittiest people I’ve ever been around,” he said. “Knowing him, throughout the game, he’ll have several one-liners that’s he’s famous for. He’ll be trying to mess with me.”

Smith said officials typically don’t talk about their assignments but because it was an exhibition game, he could.

Smith, a 14-year college officiating veteran, has 46 games on his schedule, including a trip to Cancun, Mexico, for a tournament Nov. 24-25 that includes the University of Kentucky.

“I don’t think they’ll let me work them due to the fact that I live in Kentucky,” he said. “But they’ll be interesting to watch.”

Smith is also the assigning secretary and resident officiating guru for the 16th Region. He’s looking forward to watching many new young officials develop.

“This is going to be a transition year for us,” he said. “We lost about seven or eight guys, some retiring and some wanting to spend more time with their families. But we’ve got some good young ones coming up that I think are ready.”

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.

Text Only

Local Sports

AARON SNYDER: ‘Untouchables’ can be touched
On Tuesday night, I was just another awestruck observer of the show, just another dumbstruck face in the crowd.

February 9, 2012
Ashland’s Whetsel signs to play at KCU
Turns out, Kentucky Christian University has what Ryan Whetsel wanted all along.
Namely, a football program not far away that provides an opportunity to earn playing time right away. And just as importantly, a nursing program to help him reach career goals.

February 9, 2012
Terry hits 2,000 points
Fairview’s Mike Terry heard the cheers of the crowd. His head was still on the game.

February 8, 2012
Kittens look Diddle worthy
Rowan County coach Scott Tackett believes he knows Ashland’s destination in March.

February 8, 2012
Withrow, Whetsel, Gregg combine for 66 points, 21 boards in win over Rowan
Ashland’s seniors weren’t about to let Rowan County spoil the party again.
The Tomcats turned in a dominating performance on Senior Night and defeated the Vikings, 73-58, at Anderson gym.

February 8, 2012
Inside route keys Comets
West Carter isn’t accustomed to being down 13 points this season.

February 8, 2012
Fairview’s Day scores 49 in win
Basketball is a game of runs, and players get on rolls, but rarely does a scorer’s streak endure for 32 minutes.

February 7, 2012
Gambill, bench key for Kittens
West Carter coach Tex English cringed as Ashland’s Kaylyn Gambill saw a third straight 3-pointer find nothing but net.

February 7, 2012
MARK MAYNARD: From the mind of Maynard
Some random notes from the desktop:

February 7, 2012
SLIDESHOW: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI The New York Giants won their fourth Super Bowl and eighth NFL championship Sunday in Indianapolis, scoring in the final minute to defeat New England 21-17.
February 6, 2012 1 Photo
More Local Sports Headlines

Local Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Smith calling game involving former Tomcat coach

Site Map

Contact Us