Six of the top college basketball officials for the NCAA Tournament – including Ted Valentine, John Higgins and Roger Ayers – were removed from the NCAA Tournament due to a positive COVID-19 test, resulting in contact tracking involving others.
The NCAA brought 60 officers instead of the normal 100 to Indianapolis to work at the NCAA Tournament during March Madness. One of the protocols in effect was that referees could not leave the hotel after arriving, unless they went to the arena.
The referees were instructed to arrive on Sunday night and check in to their hotel, but several officials said the rooms were not ready on arrival, nor was there any food. Instead of having the officers waiting in a safe area, they were allowed to go out to dinner and the group of Valentine, Higgins, Ayers, John Gaffney, Kipp Kissinger and Ray Natili all went to the Harry & Izzy steakhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Upon returning to the hotel, they did the COVID-19 tests and one of the referees tested positive, sources told Stadium. He then took the test twice on Monday morning and tested positive.
Due to the fact that they ate together and did not wear masks, the Indiana Department of Health found them unable to work at the NCAA Tournament.
Higgins worked eight Final Fours, Valentine worked six, Ayers worked three and Kissinger worked one.