The semifinal of the Horizon League Tournament in Detroit took a bizarre turn Monday when an announcer for Green Bay was temporarily ejected from the game. The shenanigans occurred at 12:29 of the second half after a questionable foul call went in favor of Green Bay’s opponent, Valaparaiso. ESPN cameras briefly caught the referee wildly gesticulating toward someone at the scorer’s table. Then word spread around the arena.
Wow. Green Bay play-by-play announcer Matt Menzel was just ejected from the game. #MotorCityMadness #HLMBB
— Paul Oren (@TVBOren) March 8, 2016
Looks like the official is trying to get the Green Bay announcer thrown out here in the Horizon League semifinal. Isn't moving yet.
— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) March 8, 2016
Green Bay radio announcer argued a call in front of an official, who tossed him. Was brought back to the broadcast minutes later.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 8, 2016
Uproxx reader Tim Goergen was in attendance at the game and provided more information: “Yeah, he’s back. Solo radio guy. He sort of got demonstrative objecting a call. The Oakland U radio guy stood in for a moment.”
Others also noted the announcer’s return after a brief hiatus.
He did in fact leave the court for several minutes. #MotorCityMadness #HLMBB
— Paul Oren (@TVBOren) March 8, 2016
The Green Bay announcer has been reinstated and is back on the air. (After being sent to his room for a few minutes. Or something like that)
— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) March 8, 2016
In 2012, a minor league umpire ejected a stadium’s organist after he played, “Three Blind Mice.” This story isn’t nearly as good or amusing, but nonetheless, still damn funny. Don’t mess with refs, boys and girls. There are dire consequences.
