Andrew Pace
Gary Dolphin, the longtime Iowa Hawkeyes basketball radio broadcaster, has been at the centre of several controversies regarding his comments about the team and players. Dolphin's remarks, which were inadvertently aired during a game, led to his suspension from the University of Iowa and Learfield Sports. Dolphin's comments about the basketball program and specific players, such as backup guard Maishe Dailey, were deemed negative and critical, causing backlash and disciplinary actions. Despite the controversies, Dolphin is known for his unique style and one-liners that have made him a popular figure among Iowa fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gary Dolphin |
| Profession | Iowa radio announcer/broadcaster, sportscaster |
| Comments | Referred to a black Maryland basketball player as "King Kong" |
| Other Comments | Negative comments about Iowa's recruiting and backup guard Maishe Dailey |
| Result | Suspended for two games, later indefinitely |
| Fan Reaction | Mixed, some supportive, some critical |
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What You'll Learn
- Gary Dolphin's 'King Kong' comment about Maryland's Bruno Fernando
- Dolphin's comments about Iowa's recruiting and backup guard Maishe Dailey
- Dolphin's suspension and the reactions from fans and the university
- Dolphin's role as the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes
- The impact of Dolphin's comments on tensions with coach Fran McCaffery
Gary Dolphin's 'King Kong' comment about Maryland's Bruno Fernando
Gary Dolphin, the longtime Iowa Hawkeyes radio broadcaster, was suspended for the remainder of the basketball season after making a 'King Kong' reference to Maryland's basketball player Bruno Fernando. During a post-game radio broadcast, Dolphin said, "Twelve (Maryland) 3s on 22 made baskets. That's some pretty good long-range shooting," referring to Maryland's 66-65 win over Iowa. While the exchange between Dolphin and his broadcast partner, Bobby Hansen, did not come across as mean-spirited, it was deemed inappropriate, especially considering Fernando is a black player.
This incident marked Dolphin's second on-air controversy that season. Earlier, during a game against Pittsburgh, Dolphin made negative comments about Iowa's recruiting and the ability of backup guard Maishe Dailey, which were inadvertently aired. As a result, Dolphin was suspended for two games and issued an apology, acknowledging his "inappropriate word choice" and offering his "sincere apology to [Dailey] and anyone else who was offended."
Following the 'King Kong' comment, Dolphin was suspended indefinitely for the rest of the basketball season. While some fans felt that his comments were taken out of context and meant as a compliment to Fernando's playing ability, others recognized the racial implications and the potential for offense. Dolphin himself acknowledged the impact of his words, stating that he would use the time away "as an opportunity to grow as a person and learn more about unconscious bias."
The University of Iowa and Learfield Sports Properties, which broadcasts Hawkeye sports events, supported the suspension. Athletic director Gary Barta emphasized their commitment to "creating a welcoming environment for all members of its campus community." Dolphin's suspension sparked discussions about the role of sportscasters and the potential for offensive comments, even if unintended. It also highlighted the political and social divisions within the state of Iowa, demonstrating that words and context matter, especially when communicating to a broad audience.
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Dolphin's comments about Iowa's recruiting and backup guard Maishe Dailey
Gary Dolphin, the longtime Iowa Hawkeyes basketball radio broadcaster and the voice of the Hawkeyes, was suspended for two games during the 2018-2019 season for negative comments about Iowa's recruiting and backup guard Maishe Dailey. During what was supposed to be a commercial break in a game against Pittsburgh on November 27, 2018, Dolphin criticised Iowa's recruiting, stating: "How do we not get anybody like that? [...] It's just year after year after year. Go get a quality piece like that. Just get one! They've got three or four." He then singled out Dailey, saying: "We get Maishe Dailey. Dribbles into a double-team with his head down. God."
Dolphin's comments about Dailey's ability caused a firestorm, with Iowa's head coach Fran McCaffery calling them "inexcusable" and saying they could inflame "ongoing tensions between Dolphin and himself. Athletic director Gary Barta also acknowledged these tensions and stated that Dolphin's remarks had negatively impacted players and staff. Dolphin's suspension was intended to allow time to work through these issues.
While some criticised Dolphin's remarks, others, including Iowa fans, came to his defence. Hawkeye fan Nick Augustine said he thought Dolphin's comments were "taken out of context" and that Dolphin "meant it as a compliment to the player." Another fan, Brian Carter, added that things "get blown out of proportion really easily."
Dolphin, who was in his 22nd season as the Hawkeye play-by-play announcer at the time, apologised on air after the game, acknowledging that his words during the commercial break had been heard by listeners. He also stated that he would use the time away from the microphone to "grow as a person and learn more about unconscious bias."
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Dolphin's suspension and the reactions from fans and the university
Gary Dolphin, the Iowa Hawkeyes' radio broadcaster, was suspended for making comments about basketball player Bruno Fernando, referring to him as "King Kong on the block". This suspension was indefinite and included the remainder of the basketball season. Dolphin's comments were deemed inappropriate and offensive by some, leading to his removal from calling men's basketball games for the remainder of the season.
The University of Iowa and Learfield Sports, which broadcasts Hawkeye sports events, supported the suspension. Iowa's athletic department released a statement saying it "values diversity and is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all members of its campus community." Gary Barta, Iowa's athletic director, acknowledged the existence of "ongoing tensions" between Dolphin and head coach Fran McCaffery.
However, Dolphin's comments also elicited mixed reactions from fans. Some Iowa supporters stood by Dolphin, believing his words were taken out of context and intended as a compliment to Fernando's dominant playing style. They argued that the suspension was an overreaction to a comment that was not meant maliciously or in a racist manner. Others criticised Barta, claiming he was overly sensitive and questioning his ability to lead the athletic department.
This incident marked Dolphin's second suspension within a few months. Earlier, he had received a two-game suspension for negative comments about Iowa's recruiting and backup guard Maishe Dailey, which were aired during a game against Pittsburgh. Dolphin had criticised Iowa for their failure to recruit talented freshmen guards and singled out Dailey as a player who struggled against defensive pressure.
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Dolphin's role as the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes
Gary Dolphin is a well-known American sports broadcaster and the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football and men's basketball teams. Affectionately known as "Dolph", he has been the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes since December 1996, bringing his unique brand of commentary to Iowa radio.
Dolphin's journey to becoming the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes began in the early 1990s. He had various stops in both radio and television before landing a job calling Northwestern University men's basketball games in 1990. In 1993, Dolphin was a contender for the radio play-by-play job on Chicago Bears football broadcasts, but despite being a strong candidate, the Bears chose another broadcaster. Dolphin's big break came in December 1996 when he was offered the coveted role of being the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes. He accepted the job, and his distinctive style soon made him a hit with Iowa fans.
Dolphin's commentary style is often described as comedic, with his one-liners and quips poking fun at Iowa's rivals and fellow Big Ten competitors. His sense of humour and passion for the Hawkeyes have made him a beloved figure among fans. However, Dolphin has also found himself in hot water on a few occasions due to his careless on-air remarks about players and the basketball program. In 2019, he was suspended for making a "King Kong" reference to a black Maryland basketball player, Bruno Fernando. This was not the first time Dolphin had made controversial comments, as he had previously received a two-game suspension for negative remarks about Iowa's recruiting and the ability of backup guard Maishe Dailey.
Despite these missteps, Dolphin has remained an integral part of Iowa sports broadcasting. In addition to his role as the play-by-play broadcaster for football and men's basketball, he hosts the weekly radio program "Hawk Talk", where fans can call in and discuss topics with Dolphin and Iowa coaches. He also hosts weekly television coaches' shows, providing a platform for in-depth analysis and game recaps. Dolphin's dedication to his craft and his love for the Hawkeyes have earned him a special place in the hearts of Iowa fans, and he continues to be a beloved figure in the world of Iowa sports.
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The impact of Dolphin's comments on tensions with coach Fran McCaffery
Gary Dolphin, the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball radio broadcaster, was suspended for two games after making critical comments about the team that were inadvertently aired during a game against Pittsburgh in November 2018. During what was supposed to be a commercial break, Dolphin criticised Iowa's recruiting and the ability of backup guard Maishe Dailey. He singled out Dailey, saying: "We get Maishe Dailey. Dribbles into a double-team with his head down. God.".
This incident caused tensions with head coach Fran McCaffery, who called Dolphin's comments "inexcusable.". Athletic director Gary Barta acknowledged "ongoing tensions" between Dolphin and McCaffery and said the suspension would allow time to work through these issues.
Dolphin's suspension ignited a social media firestorm, with some Iowa fans sticking by him and arguing that his comments were taken out of context or meant as a compliment. However, it is clear that his words caused offence and impacted the team's players and staff. Dolphin apologised for his remarks and acknowledged the need to learn more about unconscious bias.
In February 2019, Dolphin was suspended again for the remainder of the basketball season after making a reference to a black Maryland basketball player, Bruno Fernando, as "King Kong." Although the comment was not intended to be derogatory, it was deemed inappropriate and further inflamed the tensions between Dolphin and McCaffery. This second incident meant Dolphin had to work to regain trust, not only with McCaffery but also with Barta and the athletes, if he wanted to resume his role as the voice of Iowa basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
During a commercial break in November 2018, Dolphin criticised Iowa's recruiting and the ability of backup guard Maishe Dailey. He said: "We get Maishe Dailey. Dribbles into a double-team with his head down. God."
Gary Dolphin was suspended for two games.
Yes, in February 2019, Dolphin called a black Maryland basketball player "King Kong" during a postgame radio broadcast.
Yes, Dolphin was suspended indefinitely for the rest of the basketball season.
Reactions were mixed. Some people thought the comments were inappropriate and offensive, while others thought they were taken out of context and meant as a compliment.
