STUDENTS FILL IN FOR ANNOUNCERS, FILL AIR WITH CRUDENESS
John Krudy
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Sports
People listening on the Web or radio to the final men's home basketball game of the regular season two weeks ago heard some calls that were cruder than usual, offending some.
Junior Mike Chalberg and senior Ben Liebing served as Webcast and radio announcers for the second half of the 82-59 loss to University of Findlay. As announcers, they discussed Mario Kart and the legal problems of Findlay players, while including sexual innuendo.
Sports Information Director Brad Monastiere said Tuesday he hasn't received any complaints but wants to make sure it does not happen again.
"We have no tolerance for anything other than a straight call of the game," Monastiere said. "We need classy announcing at Hillsdale, and that's not open to interpretation."
Chalberg said he made it clear to listeners he was "joking" when he mentioned the robbery arrest but found out after the game the player had been arrested. Junior Lydia Melancon said she remembered Chalberg and Liebing accusing a Findlay player of being arrested for armed robbery.
"We were losing by 30 points - it was a blowout," Chalberg said. "We thought we should have some fun with it."
Melancon said their commentary was a poor reflection on the school and its teams.
"The guys who usually do it are amazing," said Melancon. "These two couldn't put together more than four sentences in two minutes."
Chalberg said he enjoyed announcing and looks forward to more sports announcing in the future. He said he has been approached to announce at baseball games this spring.
Junior Mike Chalberg and senior Ben Liebing served as Webcast and radio announcers for the second half of the 82-59 loss to University of Findlay. As announcers, they discussed Mario Kart and the legal problems of Findlay players, while including sexual innuendo.
Sports Information Director Brad Monastiere said Tuesday he hasn't received any complaints but wants to make sure it does not happen again.
"We have no tolerance for anything other than a straight call of the game," Monastiere said. "We need classy announcing at Hillsdale, and that's not open to interpretation."
Chalberg said he made it clear to listeners he was "joking" when he mentioned the robbery arrest but found out after the game the player had been arrested. Junior Lydia Melancon said she remembered Chalberg and Liebing accusing a Findlay player of being arrested for armed robbery.
"We were losing by 30 points - it was a blowout," Chalberg said. "We thought we should have some fun with it."
Melancon said their commentary was a poor reflection on the school and its teams.
"The guys who usually do it are amazing," said Melancon. "These two couldn't put together more than four sentences in two minutes."
Chalberg said he enjoyed announcing and looks forward to more sports announcing in the future. He said he has been approached to announce at baseball games this spring.
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