A junior college player was arrested on Saturday night for punching a referee during a game between Mt. SAC and Ventura College in Ventura, Calif.
Mt. SAC was driving in the third quarter and had the ball in field goal range when offensive lineman Bernard Schirmer got into it with a referee. Schirmer was being pushed and then held by the official, and the lineman ended up decking the ref.
VIDEO: Mt. SAC lineman punches referee between plays at Ventura College (video by @SoCalCollegeSpo) @scfafootball pic.twitter.com/ZD4vejJRYp
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
The official, who was a side judge, went down immediately. According to the Ventura County Star, the referee was replaced in the game after being punched.
Referee who was punched was a side judge. Did not remain in game. Replaced by spotter. Punishment is ejection pending video review.
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
Play halted as officials from both sides talked about what happened. Police reviewed video of the incident during the game and then took statements from each of the officials after the game.
Gives a new meaning to "under review" @VCAthletics @VCPirateFB @scfafootball @MtSAC_athletics pic.twitter.com/eovwo95CtS
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
Ventura College police taking statements from other members of officiating crew after the game. pic.twitter.com/TeFAI6FhcX
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
The Star says police decided to arrest Schirmer on suspicion of battery and transferred him to the county jail.
OL Bernard Schirmer has been arrested on suspicion of battery of a game official. Transferred to county jail, per Sgt. Mike Pallotto @vcstar
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
The VC Star says that punching the official could result in a five-year ban for Schirmer.
This is a serious deal, not unlike a story we covered last year when during a junior college game a referee punched a coach. Because there was video, police were able to act swiftly here.
