How was this missed? Higgins to hang up whistle.

[77ncaachamps]

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/25/longtime-officials-bob-donato-tim-higgins-to-hang-up-their-whistles/

Longtime officials Bob Donato, Tim Higgins to hang up their whistles
Raphielle Johnson May 25, 2012, 1:35 PM EDT

Getting fans to say positive things about the officiating in the midst of a basketball game can at times seem like one of life's most arduous tasks.

College basketball lost two officials earlier this week, as longtime Big East referees Bob Donato and Tim Higgins have decided to retire according to Mike Waters of the Syracuse Post-Standard.

The two combined to work 12 Final Fours, with Higgins being selected for ten of them.

"I still love to do it," Higgins told The Record during last season, choosing to answer questions for the story while in his car – where he spends so much time and where he gets much of his work done.

"It's like when the fire bell goes off – you go. It's like the horse that's got to run. It's hard to imagine not doing it."

Higgins was also a part of one of the most bizarre moments in the history of the Big East Championship back in 2011, when St. John's escaped with a win despite Justin Brownlee both traveling and stepping out of bounds before time expired.

[mileskishnish72]

This came out last week - too bad he's not taking Burr with him.

[mu03eng]

This came out last week - too bad he's not taking Burr with him.

Or Hightower and Driscoll

[ecompt]

Hopefully somewhere in the crop of young officials across the country there is someone who can step in and make the thousands of wrong calls Timmy did.

[BrewCity83]

We should throw a retirement party for him at MU so we can all boo him one last time.

[Canadian Dimes]

never thought either of those two were all that bad...burr and hightower tho are horrendous

[Dawson Rental]

How was this missed? Higgins to hang up whistle.

I don't know, maybe because Higgins was the referee?

[Benny B]

How was this missed? Higgins to hang up whistle.

I don't know, maybe because Higgins was the referee?

You beat me to it (although I would have said Burr was the referee).

[Bocephys]

How was this missed? Higgins to hang up whistle.

I don't know, maybe because Higgins was the referee?

Exactly what I was thinking.  This is awesome news though.

[Dawson Rental]

My cat wants to worship your avatar.

[marquette09]

So I'm watching this North Carolina v. Butler game, and I see Higgins running around out there.  I thought the old, slow moving, out of shape, overweight man decided to call it quits. 

Apparently the economy really is that bad...

[TallTitan34]

The retirement of Higgins has been announced years ago only to have him return. 

[Benny B]

As luck would have it, so is Jim Burr.

Ironic.