Post by David Foley on Feb 15, 2008 23:43:41 GMT -5
Since today was supposed to be my last broadcast as the USC Trojans play-by-play announcer I feel like I owe all of you an explanation why I wasn't there for the Pac-8 Title game.
Pac-8 Commisioner Roger Kulpa decided I shouldn't be allowed to do the game because of comments I made about Oregon's hockey team after their 16-2 win over WSU. I called Oregon's team "dirty" several times, and said something along the lines of "I'm embarrassed for the Pac-8, and for Oregon themselves."
I stand by everything I said in that broadcast. Oregon ran up the score on Washington State, and then proceeded to repeatedly cheap shot and mock them over the course of the 60 minute game. It was difficult to watch, and even harder to broadcast.
I'm proud to say that over the past 3 years I've broadcasted for USC, I've never held a bias against a player or team. No, not even UCLA. If a team played great, then I praised them; likewise if a team played poorly (even my Trojans) I'd criticize them. I take broadcasting very seriously and one of the essential parts of being a great broadcaster is being neutral.
Oregon's display in the semifinals disappointed me, as did several people affiliated with Oregon's accusation that I am biased. In the past, Coach Scott McCallum has had classy and talented teams, and nothing like this had ever been an issue with his team (at least not in my view). That all changed on Thursday afternoon.
I'm not going to go into any further specifics, but I fully stand by what me and my partner said about the Ducks in that particular game. It wasn't their whole team partaking in the melee, but their whole team certainly looked bad as a result. As important as neutrality is, it is also important to me that I call it as I see it. I'm not going to spin anything in anyone's favor, and I'm not going to hide facts from my listeners. Roger Kulpa felt like I should have kept my opinions to myself: to do this in my eyes would be deceiving the fans, and unfairly protecting Oregon.
Understandably, Oregon fans were upset by the call. I would be too, and it's easy to shoot the messenger and redirect a lot of anger my way. The fact is, if those fans had been at the game, and seen what I saw, they would be blaming Coach McCallum and not myself for how the game occurred.
I apologize for nothing, except the fact that I couldn't be there today for all the fans (particularly USC fans) who stood by me and watched me grow as a broadcaster since I joined the team. It was a great 3 years, with an unfortunate ending.
Roger Kulpa and Scott McCallum can believe and stand for whatever they want, but I believe in being completely honest with my listeners no matter what the cost. That means everything to me, and if I'm wrong and make a mistake then I will readily admit it. In this case, however, I feel I was unfairly and unnecessarily punished because of the complaints of a few. I will not let those people affect the way I perform my craft.
Thanks again for 3 amazing years USC fans, I will always be grateful for your support and your kind words. I will never forget you, and I will always cherish my years working for this great program. Here's to getting that Pac-8 trophy back to where it truly belongs.
Goodnight, and Fight On!
Pac-8 Commisioner Roger Kulpa decided I shouldn't be allowed to do the game because of comments I made about Oregon's hockey team after their 16-2 win over WSU. I called Oregon's team "dirty" several times, and said something along the lines of "I'm embarrassed for the Pac-8, and for Oregon themselves."
I stand by everything I said in that broadcast. Oregon ran up the score on Washington State, and then proceeded to repeatedly cheap shot and mock them over the course of the 60 minute game. It was difficult to watch, and even harder to broadcast.
I'm proud to say that over the past 3 years I've broadcasted for USC, I've never held a bias against a player or team. No, not even UCLA. If a team played great, then I praised them; likewise if a team played poorly (even my Trojans) I'd criticize them. I take broadcasting very seriously and one of the essential parts of being a great broadcaster is being neutral.
Oregon's display in the semifinals disappointed me, as did several people affiliated with Oregon's accusation that I am biased. In the past, Coach Scott McCallum has had classy and talented teams, and nothing like this had ever been an issue with his team (at least not in my view). That all changed on Thursday afternoon.
I'm not going to go into any further specifics, but I fully stand by what me and my partner said about the Ducks in that particular game. It wasn't their whole team partaking in the melee, but their whole team certainly looked bad as a result. As important as neutrality is, it is also important to me that I call it as I see it. I'm not going to spin anything in anyone's favor, and I'm not going to hide facts from my listeners. Roger Kulpa felt like I should have kept my opinions to myself: to do this in my eyes would be deceiving the fans, and unfairly protecting Oregon.
Understandably, Oregon fans were upset by the call. I would be too, and it's easy to shoot the messenger and redirect a lot of anger my way. The fact is, if those fans had been at the game, and seen what I saw, they would be blaming Coach McCallum and not myself for how the game occurred.
I apologize for nothing, except the fact that I couldn't be there today for all the fans (particularly USC fans) who stood by me and watched me grow as a broadcaster since I joined the team. It was a great 3 years, with an unfortunate ending.
Roger Kulpa and Scott McCallum can believe and stand for whatever they want, but I believe in being completely honest with my listeners no matter what the cost. That means everything to me, and if I'm wrong and make a mistake then I will readily admit it. In this case, however, I feel I was unfairly and unnecessarily punished because of the complaints of a few. I will not let those people affect the way I perform my craft.
Thanks again for 3 amazing years USC fans, I will always be grateful for your support and your kind words. I will never forget you, and I will always cherish my years working for this great program. Here's to getting that Pac-8 trophy back to where it truly belongs.
Goodnight, and Fight On!