BONUS EPISODE - Bryan Kersey and The Whistle

Send a text In this episode of At the Hashmark, longtime ACC official and administrator Bryan Kersey takes listeners behind the stripes to share the human side of officiating at the highest level of college basketball. From his earliest memories of the game growing up in Virginia under the influence of a referee father, Bryan traces the moments that pulled him from observer to participant, and eventually to one of the most respected officials in the sport. He reflects on the nerves and preparation before his first college games, the unforgettable atmospheres that define big nights in packed arenas, and the internal discipline required to process noise, emotion, and pressure in real time. Bryan also opens up about the mental toughness of officiating, the lessons learned from working alongside legendary coaches and players, and the transition from on-court official to mentor and coordinator. It’s a thoughtful, revealing conversation about judgment, resilience, and the lifelong relationships built through basketball—told from a perspective fans rarely get to hear.