Have you heard the story out of Texas Tech?
I sure did, because a good friend of mine and former college roommate was one of the officials working the Texas Tech/Iowa State game.
I’m still friends with him to this day; exchange texts regularly and got a chuckle when I heard his name read aloud by the furious Texas Tech radio crew. Perked my ears up.
You see, the radio guys felt my pal --- along with the other zebras --- were doing a terrible job in last weekend’s game against Iowa State that Texas Tech eventually won.
So Red Raiders play-by-play man Brian Jensen and color commentator John Harris roasted Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, going so far as to say, “I’ll say it right now, the Big 12 does not want Iowa State to lose this game.”
The radio guys, as I mentioned, also went so far as to read off the individual names of the officials working the game so as to publicly shame them, I guess.
As a result, the conference stepped in and suspended the two men for the upcoming game against Oklahoma State.
In doing so, the league commissioner issued this:
“I understand the roles of the play-by-play and color analyst. However, as University representatives they also have an obligation to adhere to Conference policy regarding comments about game officials. The comments by the Red Raider Radio Network booth announcers were contrary to expected levels of respect and professionalism. Questioning the integrity of Conference officials and specifically calling out members of the officiating crew is well beyond appropriate and permissible behavior.”
Is it though? Really? And, again --- let me remind you a very good friend who I have known about 25 years was one of those people “called out” by the radio crew.
The names of the officials are readily available in the program and/or in a box score that you can find. It isn’t as if they are cloaked in secrecy. Now, I can and do understand protecting their safety --- however I don’t think it was the goal and aim of the Texas Tech radio crew to have anyone do anything untoward to the gentlemen officiating the game.
Nope. I just think it was their silly way of “exposing” them; of thinking they were getting back at the officials by putting names to what they felt were injustices.
Oh, and by the way, the league hasn’t said if the calls in question were bad --- something that will be interesting to see if Texas Tech fans follow up on.
But back to the main point: It isn’t something I would have more than likely done had I been announcing that game. It felt a tad childish, laughable and probably a bit babyish.
It sounded like a whole lot of whining. I’ll give it to Jensen and Harris, though, it felt sincere. They live and die with their Red Raiders and you could tell.
But, then again, don’t we love college athletics and college radio crews because of the homerific aspect of them?
They ebb and flow with their teams.
They aren’t just tilted a little toward pulling for their side, they are full-on cheerleaders, supporters and homers.
All that said, a talking to might have been in order. Maybe.
Asking the guys to tone it down a bit might have been in order. Maybe.
Suspending them a game? Totally ridiculous.
They are paid to deliver the game with a Texas Tech slant to a Texas Tech audience. And last weekend, they sure as hell delivered.