Jordy Culotta talks rivalry, competition and insults
You’re on ESPN (Off the Bench on 104.5-FM) but you also take photos for the network during LSU games. What is the mood down there during a big rivalry game?
You can feel it in an intense game. And it’s not that the players are necessarily putting forth more effort, but you can tell that, emotionally, it means more to them because of that rivalry. It feels like a lot of pressure with that much emotion on the line.
Is that same intensity evident as a basketball referee?
When heated rivals are concerned, what’s interesting is that the rivalry is not just about that game, it’s motivation during the off-season to get better, motivation in every practice—it’s year-round. And that affects the fans. They are so dialed in at the games, and that brings the best out in me.
Doesn’t that just add pressure not to make the wrong call?
Well, when I know I’m getting the kids’ best effort out there, I don’t want to get in their way. There’s a competitive standpoint to being an official, too. Seeing them hustle and play hard definitely makes me better.
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So why be a ref?
I coached basketball throughout college, but that takes a lot of time. When I got into broadcasting, I wanted to find another way to stay around the game.
Was that a strange transition? Did you ever think, ‘Why would I want to subject myself to being yelled at?’
Without a doubt. More importantly, I was worried the veteran officials wouldn’t accept me. My first meeting with them was like, Why is he here?’ But I went in eager to learn, and they recognized that and were welcoming.
How do you handle when someone insults you as an official?
One dad waited for me in the parking lot after a game once. Things like that have happened. Thing is, I don’t want conflict, but I will come at someone a little more than some officials will, if that person is being really vocal and rude. I’ve only thrown one fan out of a game. This guy was yelling at us at every blow of the whistle. Finally, I told him he needed to leave. He said ‘Make me.’ So I called the tournament director over to get him to leave. The whole crowd erupted cheering.
I miss that intensity from my playing days—that tournament feeling of everything being on the line. I can see how remaining a part of that is rewarding.
Saturday mornings in a gym for me? That’s really incomparable. Nothing like it.
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