Idaho play-by-play announcer fired after calling Salt Lake Community College basketball players ‘thugs’

A play-by-play announcer has been fired after calling Salt Lake Community College basketball players “thugs” during a broadcast Wednesday night.

The College of Southern Idaho, which played SLCC this week, denounced its announcers’ comments on Thursday and immediately terminated his contract.

“The College of Southern Idaho and the CSI Athletic Department want to apologize to the Salt Lake Community College players, coaches, and fans for the comments made during the broadcast,” Southern Idaho athletic director Joel Bate said in a prepared statement.

“CSI does not condone and will not tolerate these types of remarks. They do not reflect our values as an institution of higher education or as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association. We have the utmost respect for the SLCC Athletic Department and for their student-athletes,” Bate finished.

The comments were made on the broadcast after SLCC player Jordan Brinson committed a foul in the open court.

During the foul, Southern Idaho player Chris James fell hard to the floor. The announcer then said Brinson “hammered” James.

“Who are these thugs?” the announcer said. “That is the third time he has been pounded down to the floor at the bucket by these guys.”

Brinson is a former Utah Valley player who is in his first season with SLCC. He also played for the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

“This is really an opportunity for all of us to become more aware and mindful of the words we use to describe others, which can potentially be inappropriate and insensitive,” SLCC athletic director Kevin Dustin said in a statement.

“We do not believe the comment reflects the values of [Southern Idaho] as we’ve come to know them over the years.”