IN BRIEF : Oklahoma Coach Tubbs Censured

Oklahoma coach Billy Tubbs was given an official reprimand by the Big Eight Conference today for publicly ridiculing game officials.

During last Thursday’s game at home against Missouri, Tubbs asked fans over the public address microphone to stop throwing objects onto the floor “regardless of how terrible the officiating is.”

Under terms of the Big Eight’s new gag rule, a second violation by Tubbs this year could result in Commissioner Carl James ordering the coach of the No. 1-ranked team to be suspended for one game.

“Big Eight rules say all comments regarding evaluations of officials made by a coach shall be forwarded to the conference. Under no circumstances shall a coach comment publicly or issue statements for public release criticizing an official’s performance,” Big Eight spokesman Tim Allen said in making the announcement.