NC State radio broadcaster suspended for ‘illegal aliens’ remark during bowl game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A radio broadcaster calling North Carolina State University’s football bowl game on Friday was suspended indefinitely after he referred to “illegal aliens” while announcing the score of another game in El Paso, Texas.

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Gary Hahn, who was calling the Wolfpack’s play-by-play against Maryland in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, paused during the game to give a score from the Sun Bowl, ESPN reported.

“Amongst all the illegal aliens down in El Paso it’s UCLA 14 and Pittsburgh 6,” Hahn said during the broadcast. “That’s with 11:15 to go in the second quarter.”

Hahn works for Learfield Communications, the N.C. State rights holder for sports broadcasts, and was disciplined by that company, the cable sports news outlet reported. N.C. State athletic director Boo Corrigan deferred comment to Learfield.

“Learfield has suspended Wolfpack Sports Network play-by-play announcer Gary Hahn from his agreement indefinitely following comments made during today’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl radio broadcast,” Wolfpack Sports Properties general manager Kyle Winchester said in a statement relayed by the school.

Maryland (8-5) defeated N.C. State (8-5) in Friday’s game, 16-12.

The Sun Bowl canceled its annual fan fest last week because El Paso’s convention center is being used to house migrants awaiting immigration decisions, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported.

Hahn has been the radio voice for N.C. State’s football and men’s basketball teams since 1991, according to the newspaper. He was named the North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year in 2011 and 2020.

Hahn did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

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