A lot has been written about the ACC and longtime referee Karl Hess parting company. Since the story first broke earlier today I have read some pretty cruel and personal things written about Karl, and my personal opinion is none of the personal insult are or ever will be justified. As someone who was a high school referee for the better part of 20-years I always drew the line at personal attacks. Tell me it was a horse crap call but don’t tell me I am horse crap, because frankly you don’t know me, and most of you don’t know Karl Hess. I have had the opportunity of interact with Karl during the course of a game. Yes, I was very vocal, some have even said I was LOUD and Annoying. I was not bashful about letting him know that I though his call was horrible, but I never personally attacked him. Sometime he would look at me and simply shake his head and on a rare occasion he would respond during a media time out. I have also had the opportunity to meet Karl off the court, in airports, and in other public and semi-public settings. On a couple of occasions he recognized me and initiated a conversation by asking me “What, you can’t speak to me unless you are yelling.” We both, enjoyed a good laugh and on more than few occasions he gave me some new material that he had picked up from other fans during his travels. Are Karl and I personal friends, No, Not by any means, but he is an acquaintance, someone that I have met and enjoy passing the time with. The point that I trying to make is it was never personal and neither of us took it personal. Did I agree with his calls? No. Could I do a better job NO! I don’t expect you to agree with his calls on the floor, yell about them, Goodness knows I have. But don’t attack the man personally, because you don’t know him.
