Take this for what it's worth: a friend of mine went to the Auburn game and sat next to an Auburn fan who knew each official by first name and said they were all from Alabama. Again, take it for what its worth.
Where do you think these guys come from? Of course it's local people ... local as in living in the southeast. And I'm sure some of them live in the area of the team they are officiating. It's been like that forever. Conferences hire these officials, not the NCAA. Unlike pro sports, this is a part-time gig for these people. Most of them worked their way up from the high school ranks. They work a regular job, then fly/drive to the game on a Friday evening or Saturday morning. College football is big business, yet we have overlooked the need for big time officiating.
SEC officials are not allowed to work games that include a team that he is associated with. Officially referees that are LSU alumni or live near Baton Rouge or have some other connection with LSU will not be assigned to LSU games.
These refs might have hidden ties to Auburn- like grown up being fans, decided they would help steal games, and then gone to 'Bama to REALLY hide their tracks. It could happen.
Actually this case coudn't happen because then the official would have to hate Auburn wich would also be a bias. So they wouldn't have let him officiate. :thumb:
Ok, did some research Referee Jeff Roberson. Auburn Grad. currently works as Opelika Police officer. Umpire Rick Lowe. Born and raised in Selma, AL. right outside Auburn. Both parents attended Auburn. Currently works in construction in the Montgomery area. Linesman Gary Jayroe. Attended Beuregard HS. 10 miles from Opelika. Retired from State of Alabama. Line Judge Mickey Haddock. Lives in Pheonix City, Al. Works as manager of the Dixie Dog restaurant. Field judge Dan Moore. Resident of Birmingham, Al. On his myspace page lists LSU as team he hates most. Current Employment unknown. Side Judge Matt Moore. Lives in Mobile. Works as a Social Studies teacher at Williamson HS. Really pissed Jamarcus Russell did not attend Auburn. Back Judge Mike New. Current residency Unknown. Unemployed. Recently made deposit of $25,000 into his personal bank account from the University of Auburn. Check memo states the funds were for "Services provided to the University." Replay Official Bob Patrick. Does not work or live in Alabama, but once tried to walk on at LSU in the Fall of 1985. Was demoted to waterboy before finally parting ways with the program in October of that year. Take it how you want. But I promise you this, every bit of it has as much validity as the calls they made on Saturday.
