Radio announcer fired over parody song lyrics
By Chris Furnari
Longtime Bronco radio announcer Dave Lewis was fired on Monday after poking fun at the circumstances surrounding the recent departure of men's basketball coach Dick Davey.
Lewis, who had been the Bronco basketball play-by-play voice for the past 12 years, created a play on the popular Beyonce song, "Irreplaceable" and performed the bit with a guitar accompaniment at the Cable Car golf tournament last Tuesday.
"It was an unfortunate and terribly inappropriate lapse of judgment on his part," said Athletic Director Dan Coonan.
Lewis changed some words of the song, including the line, "You've been fired / Tell the press you retired." Those lyrics, among others, were meant to reference the abundance of collegiate coaches being let go at schools across the nation, Lewis said.
However, for many of the approximately 125 people in the room, the words hit much closer to home.
"I think awkward might best describe how everyone felt," said Coonan. "Everyone was somewhat shocked and surprised."
Lewis said that the parody was meant to be taken in a comedic fashion.
"People may have read between the lines, and maybe it hit too close to home," Lewis said. "In the room that night, there were things we could joke about. In that context, it became an awkward performance, and I misread the intensity surrounding the issue."
The golf tournament was hosted by Art Santo Domingo at the San Jose Golf and Country Club. Domingo sponsors the Cable Car Classic, the annual Bronco basketball holiday tournament. Proceeds from the golfing event benefit the Boys and Girls Club of San Jose.
According to a course employee, a reception and buffet-style meal followed the round of golf. It was during the buffet that Lewis performed the song alongside a musician who had agreed to collaborate.
"If I knew then that there was this discomfort, I wouldn't have done it," said Lewis.
Lewis was apologetic and acknowledged that he had a lapse in judgment.
"I thank them for the opportunity," said Lewis. "I had an amazing 12 years, and I'll respect his (Coonan's) decision. I still consider him a friend."
According to Coonan, a number of coaches, Santa Clara alumni and former Bronco players attended the event. Both Dick Davey and new head coach Kerry Keating were present at the time the parody was performed.
Davey, 64, announced his retirement in February after 15 years as head coach. Kerry Keating, a former UCLA assistant, was hired in April to replace Davey.
Lewis, whose voice could be heard calling the play-by-play on KNTS (1220 AM), will not have his contract renewed for next season but plans to continue supporting Bronco basketball.
Lewis' two-year contract was up after this past season, Lewis said, and he was in the process of negotiating a new contract with the Athletic Department.
"I'll always root for them to win and for the program to succeed," said Lewis.
Coonan said he would have hired Lewis back next season had this not occurred. "Dave is a great guy," Coonan said.
The Athletic Department has received interest from a number of potential candidates for the vacant position, Coonan said.
Lewis resides in Livermore with his wife Cheryl and two children and will continue to work as the evening sports anchor on KCBS (740 AM), where he has been since 1996.
"I think the world of Dave Lewis," said former Bronco Travis Neisen. "I'm sad to see him go. I have a lot of respect for him."
Contact Chris Furnari at (408) 554-4546 or cfurnari@scu.edu.