Choke Job

[Tugg Speedman]

Report: ‘Choke job’ remark leads to suspension

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/02/20/13/Report-Announcer-penalized-for-choke-job/landing.html?blockID=866977&feedID=3697

The University of North Dakota has suspended men's basketball radio play-by-play announcer Paul Ralston after The called the team's overtime loss to Northern Arizona on Saturday a “choke job."

The Grand Forks Herald is reporting that Ralston was suspended for two games for using the term in a postgame interview with coach Brian Jones following North Dakota's 74-72 loss at home. Athletic director Brian Faison announced the suspension, according to the Herald, and Ralston will be replaced by associate athletics director Kyle Doperalski on the broadcasts.

The school declined comment to FOXSportsNorth.com on Wednesday and said it would not be issuing a statement but did confirm the suspension for Ralston will include the team's upcoming games on Wednesday at Northern Colorado and Saturday at Nebraska-Omaha. Ralston will be able to resume his duties on Feb. 28 when the team plays at Portland State.

North Dakota had led in the final minutes of regulation in Saturday's loss before Northern Arizona tied the game and won in overtime.

[Tugg Speedman]

Side note ... here are the schools in the Big Sky:

Montana   15-1   19-5
Weber State   14-2   19-5
North Dakota   9-8   12-14
Southern Utah   8-8   10-15
Sacramento State   7-9   12-12
Montana State   7-9   10-14
Northern Arizona   7-9   10-16
Northern Colorado   7-10   9-16
Eastern Washington   6-10   8-18
Portland State   5-11   7-16
Idaho State

If this conference can go from North Dakota to Portland, To Sacramento to North Arizona ... and in the middle of conference play UND goes to Omaha ... why can't the C7 include Gonzaga?

[keefe]

Sounds like a Choke Job.

Back when I lived in Ann Arbor a popular T-Shirt in January was, "Hire Linda Lovelace: She Doesn't Choke on the Big One"

[wardle2wade]

Side note ... here are the schools in the Big Sky:

Montana   15-1   19-5
Weber State   14-2   19-5
North Dakota   9-8   12-14
Southern Utah   8-8   10-15
Sacramento State   7-9   12-12
Montana State   7-9   10-14
Northern Arizona   7-9   10-16
Northern Colorado   7-10   9-16
Eastern Washington   6-10   8-18
Portland State   5-11   7-16
Idaho State

If this conference can go from North Dakota to Portland, To Sacramento to North Arizona ... and in the middle of conference play UND goes to Omaha ... why can't the C7 include Gonzaga?

Without looking up the distances, all the routes you said above are significantly less than the trips from DC/Newark/Philly/NYC/Providence to Spokane. 

Also the schools you mentioned above do this because they have no other choice... most of them are located in sparsely populated areas.   Also none of them are in a position of calling the shots in the college hoops world unlike what is going on with the C7 schools.

That being said, the idea of conference games with Gonzaga would be great... but it's not without a lot of logistical headaches.

I see the point you are trying to make, but this one is a stretch and doesn't fit well.

[Tugg Speedman]

Without looking up the distances, all the routes you said above are significantly less than the trips from DC/Newark/Philly/NYC/Providence to Spokane. 

Also the schools you mentioned above do this because they have no other choice... most of them are located in sparsely populated areas.   Also none of them are in a position of calling the shots in the college hoops world unlike what is going on with the C7 schools.

That being said, the idea of conference games with Gonzaga would be great... but it's not without a lot of logistical headaches.

I see the point you are trying to make, but this one is a stretch and doesn't fit well.

Yes, but everyone else has to make one long trip.  If Gonzaga is ok with regularly making long trips to the C7, it can work.

That said, the hang-up, and probable deal killer, is non-revenue sports.  What do they do with lacrosse and cross country?

[tower912]

Did he launch into a 500 word screed about it and then defend other coaches that did the same thing?

[NersEllenson]

Yes, but everyone else has to make one long trip.  If Gonzaga is ok with regularly making long trips to the C7, it can work.

That said, the hang-up, and probable deal killer, is non-revenue sports.  What do they do with lacrosse and cross country?

Since they are talking about having an Eastern Division and Western Division - don't think adding Gonzaga is that big of deal travel wise - get to a 12 team league with an 18 game schedule, where you play each team in your division home and away (10 games) and then 4 home out of your division and 4 away - that way the Gonzaga and the East Coast schools only travel the big trip 4 times per year....manageable...across all sports.

[Niv Berkowitz]

Having an east/west, IMHO, would make it easier to make-up "premier" match-ups for TV purposes.

For instance, the week before finals at Gonzaga, have them play at G-town or at the Garden vs. St.Johns or something. Flip it around the other way too.

That's admittedly easier for me to say here since the longest distances I have to travel are from Haifa to/from Jerusalem. But...the guns. I do have to worry about the guns.

[tower912]

A problem with Gonzaga is a 7 PM start for a home game is a 10 PM start in the east.    Now, having that as the second game of a double header makes some sense, but I predict the powers-that-be won't like it. 

[Lennys Tap]

They talked about the whole "choke job" controversy on Homer's show yesterday - asked the audience what should have transpired - a) firing b) 2 game suspension or c) nothing. Consensus was b or c.

Homer then talked about what would have happened to him had he made those comments about Marquette. Said Kevin O'Neill would have punched him, then forgotten about it, Buzz would have talked to him about it off the air and TC would have had him fired.

[MUfan12]

Homer then talked about what would have happened to him had he made those comments about Marquette. Said Kevin O'Neill would have punched him, then forgotten about it, Buzz would have talked to him about it off the air and TC would have had him fired.

Ha! He's got that spot on.

[Lennys Tap]

Ha! He's got that spot on.

Then he told a funny story about the only time he'd ever been called on the carpet. 2003, and Marquette had just been blown out by UAB in the CUSA tournament and some guy called in to say we stunk and were due for an early out in the NCAAs. Homer said so what, we took a dump against UAB. It's one game, the team is really good and it's headed to at least the Elite 8. Marquette complains, but when everyone listens to the tape all agree it's no big deal - all, that is, except TC. Turns out he's the one who launched the complaint, and he boycotts Homer and his show.

[MarquetteDano]

Marquette complains, but when everyone listens to the tape all agree it's no big deal - all, that is, except TC. Turns out he's the one who launched the complaint, and he boycotts Homer and his show.

Wow. If that story is true TC must ultimately not be happy at IU.  To be that thin skinned at a place like Indiana, with their expectations, must be brutal.

[MU82]

Then he told a funny story about the only time he'd ever been called on the carpet. 2003, and Marquette had just been blown out by UAB in the CUSA tournament and some guy called in to say we stunk and were due for an early out in the NCAAs. Homer said so what, we took a dump against UAB. It's one game, the team is really good and it's headed to at least the Elite 8. Marquette complains, but when everyone listens to the tape all agree it's no big deal - all, that is, except TC. Turns out he's the one who launched the complaint, and he boycotts Homer and his show.

And then TC almost coached us to a first-round loss against Holy Cross. If Diener hadn't played out of his mind, we'd have taken the dump of all dumps!

[jsglow]

Then he told a funny story about the only time he'd ever been called on the carpet. 2003, and Marquette had just been blown out by UAB in the CUSA tournament and some guy called in to say we stunk and were due for an early out in the NCAAs. Homer said so what, we took a dump against UAB. It's one game, the team is really good and it's headed to at least the Elite 8. Marquette complains, but when everyone listens to the tape all agree it's no big deal - all, that is, except TC. Turns out he's the one who launched the complaint, and he boycotts Homer and his show.

Good story Lenny.  I guess I hope that Homer (or any broadcaster) has some level of journalistic freedom and that a well reasoned opinion that isn't 'coolaid induced' is always welcomed.  One has to be careful with word choice but ...

[ATWizJr]

Wow. If that story is true TC must ultimately not be happy at IU.  To be that thin skinned at a place like Indiana, with their expectations, must be brutal.

Maybe he has learned from the experience and is leading a more mindful life.

[Lennys Tap]

Wow. If that story is true TC must ultimately not be happy at IU.  To be that thin skinned at a place like Indiana, with their expectations, must be brutal.

I think taking them over at the bottom with no place to go but up made it easier. And IIRC, the media in Bloomington are pretty much cheerleaders.

And to be fair, TC claimed that the "take a dump" line outraged him because his son Riley was with him in the car when he heard it, though that only makes it more bizarre IMO.

[Niv Berkowitz]

Good story Lenny.  I guess I hope that Homer (or any broadcaster) has some level of journalistic freedom and that a well reasoned opinion that isn't 'coolaid induced' is always welcomed.  One has to be careful with word choice but ...

Jsglow, you must not watch/listen to many broadcasts, or you don't know how they work.

The broadcasters on the radio/local TV are hired by the school/team, not the station they are on. So, they work for MU. When Homer's on the radio, he works for MU. That's why you rarely hear the broadcasters openly dump on the teams. They say things like "they really struggled tonight", or "the other guys were just lights out" instead of saying "we sucked tonight and had no energy" and "our defense is the worst".

[Dawson Rental]

They talked about the whole "choke job" controversy on Homer's show yesterday - asked the audience what should have transpired - a) firing b) 2 game suspension or c) nothing. Consensus was b or c.

Homer then talked about what would have happened to him had he made those comments about Marquette. Said Kevin O'Neill would have punched him, then forgotten about it, Buzz would have talked to him about it off the air and TC would have had him fired.

And Larry Williams would have given an interview to Mike Hunt in which he said a part of his job was to make Homer "a better play by play guy."

[Strokin 3s]

Jsglow, you must not watch/listen to many broadcasts, or you don't know how they work.

The broadcasters on the radio/local TV are hired by the school/team, not the station they are on. So, they work for MU. When Homer's on the radio, he works for MU. That's why you rarely hear the broadcasters openly dump on the teams. They say things like "they really struggled tonight", or "the other guys were just lights out" instead of saying "we sucked tonight and had no energy" and "our defense is the worst".

However, Homer also has a radio show in which he is employed by the radio station and not Marquette.

[Lennys Tap]

However, Homer also has a radio show in which he is employed by the radio station and not Marquette.

And it was on said radio show where the discussion took place.

[Coleman]

Homer could dump on MU and not worry about losing the day job on 540.

However, if he wants to keep doing MU broadcasts, he has to walk the company line somewhat, even on his normal show. And I'm fine with that, as long as he's not all Kool-Aid

[keefe]

Then he told a funny story about the only time he'd ever been called on the carpet. 2003, and Marquette had just been blown out by UAB in the CUSA tournament and some guy called in to say we stunk and were due for an early out in the NCAAs. Homer said so what, we took a dump against UAB. It's one game, the team is really good and it's headed to at least the Elite 8. Marquette complains, but when everyone listens to the tape all agree it's no big deal - all, that is, except TC. Turns out he's the one who launched the complaint, and he boycotts Homer and his show.

Coach Tom Crean, who has done a magnificent job turning around the storied Indiana University basketball program, had every right to seethe with rage at Homer for his most unfortunate choice of words. This is all the more true given that Coach's young son Riley was in the car and was therefore unnecessarily subjected to the brutality of Homer's outburst. Riley, who was destined to sweep all the awards at Coach Crean's basketball camp, was in dire need of focused positive attention; fortunately Riley had a third birthday just days away. This child could have been scarred for life.

Coach Crean was correct in demanding that Homer be disciplined and disciplined severely. I am surprised that Coach Crean did not demand that Homer be relieved for cause and therefore forfeit the ability to provide for his family.

[keefe]

Maybe he has learned from the experience and is leading a more mindful life.

I trust you are speaking of Mr Steven True?

[Badgerhater]

The big sky and summit leagues will eventually reorganize themselves to get smaller geographically.  The Dakota schools were once all in the same D2 league and are looking to reestablish those rivalries.

[Tugg Speedman]

Homer could dump on MU and not worry about losing the day job on 540.

However, if he wants to keep doing MU broadcasts, he has to walk the company line somewhat, even on his normal show. And I'm fine with that, as long as he's not all Kool-Aid

A good broadcaster can get the same point across without resorting to words like "choke job" or "dumped" and still have their job the next morning.

And to be fair, these are college age kids competing at (high) amateur level.  They do deserve some deference.  It is not fair to rip a 17 year old college kid (like Vander was two years ago) the same way you would rip an overpaid/underperforming veteran on the Bucks.

But, once they go to the next level and get millions of dollars, the assessments can and should be a little more blunt.

[Niv Berkowitz]

Homer could dump on MU and not worry about losing the day job on 540.

However, if he wants to keep doing MU broadcasts, he has to walk the company line somewhat, even on his normal show. And I'm fine with that, as long as he's not all Kool-Aid

The best would be for Homer to lose BOTH jobs, not just one. Because...no more Homer!!!

(winner winner chicken dinner)

Then again, we'd be left with the "EVERYTHING-IS-A-DECLARATIVE-STATEMENT-AND-I-REALLY-MEAN-IT!" Thunder if Homer's wake and nobody wants that, either.

[keefe]

It is not fair to rip a 17 year old college kid (like Vander was two years ago) the same way you would rip an overpaid/underperforming veteran on the Bucks.

What about the well paid/underperforming members of the Kentucky basketball team?

[jsglow]

Jsglow, you must not watch/listen to many broadcasts, or you don't know how they work.

The broadcasters on the radio/local TV are hired by the school/team, not the station they are on. So, they work for MU. When Homer's on the radio, he works for MU. That's why you rarely hear the broadcasters openly dump on the teams. They say things like "they really struggled tonight", or "the other guys were just lights out" instead of saying "we sucked tonight and had no energy" and "our defense is the worst".

I know exactly how it works Niv.  I'm simply saying that a responsible institution doesn't unnecessarily force the Kool-Aid.  I'd argue that Homer isn't forced into an unreasonable position in my experience.  A better example is Bob Uecker who knows that it's time to tell stories when the Brewers are down by 7 runs.  Sometimes those are the best broadcasts.

[keefe]

I know exactly how it works Niv.  I'm simply saying that a responsible institution doesn't unnecessarily force the Kool-Aid.  I'd argue that Homer isn't forced into an unreasonable position in my experience.  A better example is Bob Uecker who knows that it's time to tell stories when the Brewers are down by 7 runs.  Sometimes those are the best broadcasts.

Uecker has obviously told a lot of stories over the years...

[ChicosBailBonds]

Side note ... here are the schools in the Big Sky:

Montana   15-1   19-5
Weber State   14-2   19-5
North Dakota   9-8   12-14
Southern Utah   8-8   10-15
Sacramento State   7-9   12-12
Montana State   7-9   10-14
Northern Arizona   7-9   10-16
Northern Colorado   7-10   9-16
Eastern Washington   6-10   8-18
Portland State   5-11   7-16
Idaho State

If this conference can go from North Dakota to Portland, To Sacramento to North Arizona ... and in the middle of conference play UND goes to Omaha ... why can't the C7 include Gonzaga?

One time zone difference, not three time zone difference.  The miles also pale in comparison.

[ChicosBailBonds]

And then TC almost coached us to a first-round loss against Holy Cross. If Diener hadn't played out of his mind, we'd have taken the dump of all dumps!

LOL, this again.  "He almost coached us to a first round loss"....but then he wasn't responsible for coaching us to a win over #1 Kentucky, #6 Pitt, etc....its hysterical reading some of this stuff.  Did Buzz "coach us to a first round collapse against Washington?"

You guys put so much nonsense into this.  At times, guess what, best plans go south because kids aren't hitting their shots, or the other team is playing out of their minds.  It happens.  One thing as sure as death and taxes on this board is whenever a Crean team loses, it's because of Crean.  When they win, he has nothing to do with it.  When MU loses, it's just one of those days.  Hilarity...I wished I lived in that pink sky world.  LOL

[MU82]

LOL, this again.  "He almost coached us to a first round loss"....but then he wasn't responsible for coaching us to a win over #1 Kentucky, #6 Pitt, etc....its hysterical reading some of this stuff.  Did Buzz "coach us to a first round collapse against Washington?"

You guys put so much nonsense into this.  At times, guess what, best plans go south because kids aren't hitting their shots, or the other team is playing out of their minds.  It happens.  One thing as sure as death and taxes on this board is whenever a Crean team loses, it's because of Crean.  When they win, he has nothing to do with it.  When MU loses, it's just one of those days.  Hilarity...I wished I lived in that pink sky world.  LOL

I wrote that just for you, Chicos.

I actually think Crean did a good job when he was here and don't begrudge him now that he's gone. He helped resurrect the program, led us to a Final Four and left the program in far better shape than when he arrived.

It's all good. I was just havin' a little fun.

[Golden Avalanche]

Wow. If that story is true TC must ultimately not be happy at IU.  To be that thin skinned at a place like Indiana, with their expectations, must be brutal.

Lot of coaches are sensitive when trying to build their program. They maximize every slight, real or perceived, to fit the agenda and exploit that trope with their kids. Buzz does this every day with the "we're not real good at anything" routine even though his program is established.

Considering Crean has rebuilt two programs successfully his tactics (including the PR, sideline maniac, Lord's blessing, et al.) clearly work regardless of the thickness of his skin. You can see why he won't change.

[Niv Berkowitz]

I know exactly how it works Niv.  I'm simply saying that a responsible institution doesn't unnecessarily force the Kool-Aid.  I'd argue that Homer isn't forced into an unreasonable position in my experience.  A better example is Bob Uecker who knows that it's time to tell stories when the Brewers are down by 7 runs.  Sometimes those are the best broadcasts.

Agreed, but unlike baseball where you have 10-15 seconds of dead-air in between every pitch, it's impossible to do that in hoops.

Didn't mean to be crass in my reply. But, unlike AM1250, Homer can't get diarrhea of the mouth against MU whenever he wants and not face consequences. He can try to be "fair" and critical, but not overly and he rarely ever is.

[Lennys Tap]

Isn't it ironic that the douche whom Chicos defends with the passion of Braveheart would have had him fired and permanently blackballed for the "choking dogs" piece?

[MarquetteDano]

Lot of coaches are sensitive when trying to build their program. They maximize every slight, real or perceived, to fit the agenda and exploit that trope with their kids. Buzz does this every day with the "we're not real good at anything" routine even though his program is established.

Considering Crean has rebuilt two programs successfully his tactics (including the PR, sideline maniac, Lord's blessing, et al.) clearly work regardless of the thickness of his skin. You can see why he won't change.

Agreed.  The tactics do work.  I guess we will never know if this was a PR move, something that bothered him personally, or both.  If it is the latter two I am still amazed.  I have heard much, much worse comments about a team from college play-by-play guys.

[keefe]

Lot of coaches are sensitive when trying to build their program. They maximize every slight, real or perceived, to fit the agenda and exploit that trope with their kids. Buzz does this every day with the "we're not real good at anything" routine even though his program is established.

Considering Crean has rebuilt two programs successfully his tactics (including the PR, sideline maniac, Lord's blessing, et al.) clearly work regardless of the thickness of his skin. You can see why he won't change.

You are not seriously suggesting Crean used Homer's comment to motivate his team by threatening the man through the SID? That is too convoluted for belief. It was 100% Crean ego at play. His attacking Homer was Crean swinging his dick around. Boycotting Homer was throwing a petulant tantrum.