Referee Doesn’t Like His Call, Ejects Broadcaster During Game

Texas A&M; radio broadcaster Dave South was ejected from Reunion Arena on Friday by a Southwest Conference official who did not appreciate a hand gesture the announcer made.

The ejection came midway through the second half of Houston’s 84-68 victory over the Aggies in the opening round of the SWC basketball tournament.

South made eye contact with referee Brian Stout and gave him the “choke” sign by jerking his right hand to his throat.

Stout immediately turned and asked SWC assistant commissioner Tim Fitzpatrick whether he had the authority to eject someone from press row. When Fitzpatrick said yes, Stout recruited two security guards, crossed the floor and ejected South from the second row.

Members of the Texas A&M; sports information staff finished the broadcast for South, the school’s assistant athletic director for marketing.

Fitzpatrick said the conference would review the incident.

In a statement distributed by the conference, Fitzpatrick pointed out that the rules state “it is the official’s prerogative to remove anyone from the arena.”

“He looked at me, and I went . . . ,” South said, duplicating the gesture he made for Stout. “And he kicked me out of the game. Does he know I’m looking at him? What does this tell you about the kind of game he was having?”

Reporters monitoring the radio broadcast said South had told his listeners that “the Aggies are playing two teams today--the Cougars and the Southwest Conference officials.”