Learfield’s Iowa Hawkeye Sports Properties announced their decision to suspend men’s basketball play-by-play voice, Gary Dolphin for inappropriate comments made during last Tuesday’s broadcast. The suspension will last for the remainder of the season.
The comment which led to Dolphin’s suspension was an analogy regarding Maryland Terrapins power forward, Bruno Fernando. “They (the Maryland Terrapins) had some pretty good long range shooting and then Fernando was King Kong at the end of the game,” said Dolphin who later issued an apology in a press release.
“During the broadcast, I used a comparison when trying to describe a talented Maryland basketball player. In no way did I intend to offend or disparage the player. I take full responsibility for my inappropriate word choice and offer a sincere apology to him and anyone else who was offended. I wish the Iowa Hawkeye players, coaches and fans all the very best as they head into the final stretch of the season. I will use this as an opportunity to grow as a person and learn more about unconscious bias,” read Dolphin’s statement.
Dolphin joined the Iowa Hawkeyes broadcast team in 1997 and has served as their play-by-play voice for men’s basketball and football since his arrival.
This is Dolphin’s second suspension of the season, the first coming in November after the broadcaster didn’t realize his mic was live and proceeded to criticize Iowa junior, Maishe Dailey. Following the return of his two-game suspension, the Hawkeye football team announced Dolphin would be the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Service Award.
“Gary is not only a nationally respected broadcaster, he is a tireless ambassador for Iowa football here in our state and across the country,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said in a December 2018 press release. “Right after the Nebraska game, our coaches came together and unanimously selected “Dolph” as the recipient of this year’s award. No one bleeds black and gold more than Gary Dolphin and this is our opportunity to say thank you.”
For the remainder of the men’s basketball season, the Hawkeyes radio broadcast will feature Jim Albracht and Bobby Hansen in Dolphin’s absence.
“The University of Iowa athletics department values diversity and is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all members of its campus community,” the school said in support of the decision to suspend Dolphin.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.