(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- All is well in Peoria.
Bradley University received foul calls across the country last weekend after its men's basketball coach reportedly barred local beat reporter Dave Reynolds from having access to players, following the team's entry into the NCAA Tournament. Reynolds said the message he received was he'd been too critical while covering the Braves, and Coach Brian Wardle was imposing the snub as payback.
Cue the expletive-storm. The shutout drew national attention and withering coverage, during what should have been a fabulous time for Bradley, which hadn't made it to the Big Dance in more than a decade. Those taking shots included 670 The Score's Dan Bernstein, who echoed many when he said, "... it's national embarrassment, all due to an entirely avoidable and petty overstep by a coach more focused on avenging perceived slights than ensuring that his players have the most rewarding and successful experience they can."
Bradley issued a written apology that came across as half-hearted to many. On Sunday, at a public event with Reynolds present, Coach Wardle and the university's athletic director apologized personally to the Peoria Journal Star reporter. For his part, Reynolds said he accepted and was ready to move on.