NCAA Removes Referee From Chattanooga-N.C. State Game Over Background Conflict

The NCAA on Saturday removed an official during halftime of the Chattanooga-N.C. State women's basketball game over a background conflict. 

According to the Associated Press, Tommi Paris was removed from the NCAA Tournament first round game and replaced by Angelica Suffren. 

“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.

Paris' online profile says that she received a master's degree from Chattanooga. The NCAA asks all officials considered for tournament games to disclose any school affiliations to avoid potential conflicts. 

“They literally just … got me in the locker room and said they were making a change,” Chattanooga coach Shawn Poppie said of when he learned at halftime. “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.”

The decision to send Suffren back out to the court came “because it provided the most on-court experience and allowed the game to maintain a full officiating crew, plus standby,” the NCAA’s statement said.