Kentucky Usher fired for flipping off opposing fans

[sam_gordon]

OK, I'll try to keep this short... The University of Kentucky utilizes "Blue Coats", volunteers who serve as ushers during basketball and football games. At the end of the UK/Fla game last weekend, one of the ushers was caught on ESPN cameras "flipping off" Florida fans as they left.

That was then shown on Twitter, and the Usher, who had served 19 years as such, was "fired" (I put that in quotes because he's a volunteer). I read through a twitter thread about it, and I was surprised at how many people think he should never have been fired and should get his job back.

Personally, I don't have a problem with it (ETA: "it" = firing). While yes, the volunteers are fans, they are representing the university. And yes, he had no idea the cameras were on him, but that's not an excuse (IMO).

Thoughts?

Oh, here's a link: https://outsider.com/sports/beloved-kentucky-basketball-usher-fired-for-action-toward-florida-fans/

 

[BrianL]

I mean, yeah, he made an inappropriate action and has to suffer the consequences. I don't know if "firing" is too severe - maybe if it was his first offense I'd let it go with a warning - but I don't know. I mean, he's already a UK fan, so how much worse can it get?

 

[kymom99]

As a volunteer he attends all these events for free. So now he can pay to go to the games.

 

[kdonnel]

Sounds like they are brand ambassadors as well as ushers. I don't think that the brand of the team includes unsportsmanlike conduct as a core tenant.

I think he should have been asked if he was willing to publicly apologize and either been given an opportunity to do so or be told his services are no longer needed.

Edited to add:
Perhaps there is a long list of people willing to fill the job. Maybe a one strike policy is appropriate? Like most situations we really only have one side of the story so it is really hard to know what should be done.

 

[BrianL]

Sounds like they are brand ambassadors as well as ushers. I don't think that the brand of the team includes unsportsmanlike conduct as a core tenant.

Again, it is UK. With Calipari as their coach, I'd think it's de rigueur.

*Full Disclosure: I'm from Memphis. Never forgive. Never forget.

 

[fly girl]

Dumb move on his part. You can see he mouthed some colorful language too. I get it, caught up the game. However, you have to remember your number one priority, your job - even if you are a volunteer.

I’m sure those blue coats are a much wanted free gig, so replacing him is easy and the school wanted this to end swiftly. Can’t blame UK for that.

Sad for the guy, but it was his own doing.

 

[Mysterian]

Talk about a sore winner.
It's not appropriate, but since he's devoted 19 years to this, I can see if some UK folks are hesitant to axe him.

However, in 19 years, who's to say this wasn't the first time he flipped the bird and shouted some things? Maybe this is just the first time he was caught on tape.

 

[soccerdad72]

Probably appropriate to fire him, especially from a PR standpoint.

I don't know if it would bother me (granted, I'm an outside observer) if they gave him some sort of suspension instead.

 

[Magical2017]

Cameras are everywhere now. The University is within their right to fire him. He was probably caught up in the moment.

I wish they would apply these rules to some of the coaches/parents I have seen over the years on my kids' teams when they played travel soccer. Maybe if there had been cameras the threatening, taunting, mocking of children and refs, cursing, screaming and an actual fight would not have happened. This was all by the adults. My kids don't do travel soccer anymore because of all this behavior. Flipping someone off almost seems tame in comparison, but I am completely off topic now. Sorry.

 

[HeatherC]

OK, I'll try to keep this short... The University of Kentucky utilizes "Blue Coats", volunteers who serve as ushers during basketball and football games. At the end of the UK/Fla game last weekend, one of the ushers was caught on ESPN cameras "flipping off" Florida fans as they left.

That was then shown on Twitter, and the Usher, who had served 19 years as such, was "fired" (I put that in quotes because he's a volunteer). I read through a twitter thread about it, and I was surprised at how many people think he should never have been fired and should get his job back.

Personally, I don't have a problem with it (ETA: "it" = firing). While yes, the volunteers are fans, they are representing the university. And yes, he had no idea the cameras were on him, but that's not an excuse (IMO).

Thoughts?

Oh, here's a link: https://outsider.com/sports/beloved-kentucky-basketball-usher-fired-for-action-toward-florida-fans/

I am with you. People need to act like adults. Including parents at sporting events, etc.). He represented the University and that is not how they should be represented.

 

[fla4fun]

If you are going to be involved with sports in any way, whether as athlete, fan, or game volunteer, you should display good sportsmanship at any time you are at a sporting event. Flipping off anyone related to the opposition is not good sportsmanship. I think it is fine that he was asked not to continue as a volunteer.

 

[_19disnA]

It wouldn't be social media if someone wasn't 'outraged' about something.............LOL.

When you volunteer you generally wear some sort of uniform and even if unpaid, you are acting as an extension of that school/organization/etc. If they find your behavior inappropriate they likely won't ask you to return.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

My husband's company works in college sports venues. There are rules as to what is considered appropriate conduct. If this usher had been volunteering for 19 years, then he knew what those rules were. "Firing" was appropriate.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I bet you that usher spanked his kids and ate canned corn at the games too.

Ironic the kids were the ones behaving and the usher was the one misbehaving. No more ushering for him.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Unless this was part of an ongoing pattern, I would have thought a suspension was more appropriate.