RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) athletics department issued an apology Wednesday after the University of Rhode Island's Associate Athletics Director Shane Donaldson said he wasn't able to do a radio broadcast for their Tuesday night match-up of the school's basketball teams due to VCU's radio crew accommodations in the Siegel Center.
Donaldson posted a picture to his Twitter that showed a stepladder next to a railing surrounding the call box area for radio.
"Not ideal for anyone. Certainly not for someone with cerebral palsy," the tweet said.
Not ideal for anyone. Certainly not for someone with cerebral palsy. @TheStoneFreeman will have the solo call tonight. To the listeners, I’m sorry. pic.twitter.com/RMgxQeaQ1E
— Shane Donaldson (@Rhody_Shane) February 8, 2022
"I knew right away looking at it, it's not something I would have been able to do," Donaldson told CBS 6. "To ask you to climb a ladder and hop a fence...it's just not something I would do, wasn't willing to even try. It would have been a disaster for me."
VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin issued a formal statement to CBS 6 Sports Director Lane Casadonte about the incident:
“We are aware of the incident involving Rhode Island’s radio team prior to Tuesday’s men’s basketball game. Once made aware of the situation, our facilities staff offered accommodations immediately, which the Rhode Island radio team chose not to accept. We pride ourselves in delivering a first-class product across the board, and we did not meet those expectations.
I spoke with Shane Donaldson this morning, as well as Rhode Island’s Director of Athletics, Thorr Bjorn. In both open and honest conversations, I apologized on behalf of VCU Athletics for causing undue emotional harm. I have a great deal of respect for the entire Rhode Island Department of Athletics and for the work that Shane does.
Access and inclusion are central to our values, and we fell short last night. VCU Athletics has done extensive work throughout the last 10 years, and especially in the last 18 months since we restarted our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, to foster an environment of inclusion and belonging. We clearly have work still to do.
We will continue working with the University’s ADA office to evaluate and rectify the situation immediately.”
Donaldson said while VCU offered to make other arrangements for him, it appeared they didn't have a set plan to do so.
"When when they offered to make other arrangements, they didn't have a specific plan," he said. "It was kind of like they were looking over the arena. And saying, we'll try to figure out somewhere else to put you."
And with it being so close to tip-off, Donaldson could not access the broadcast area leaving Rhode Island's play-by-play announcer to call the game alone.
He went on to say that fixing the problem for him, in the moment, was not enough.
"The fact that this is a setup that they had in the first place is really egregious. The lack of thought that was involved in that decision is kind of appalling," Donaldson said. "And if I just accept that they fix something for me, in the moment, then I'm not doing anything to make it better for the next person."
The radio positions were permanently moved to the new location before the 2021-22 season and replaced with more floor seating for fans.
The Atlantic 10 Conference does not have any specific requirements about where the radio booths are, just that they are provided.
Donaldson said he appreciated McLaughlin's personal apology Wednesday morning, but he hoped the conversation would lead to change for future radio broadcasters in the VCU Siegel Center.
"I'm aware of my limitations, I deal with them on a daily basis. I'm aware of what I've had to work through my entire life," said Donaldson. "Last night was one of the first times in my life that I've experienced that feeling of being subhuman."
Other sports media professionals responded to Donaldson's tweet about the issue sharing his sentiment.
"Embarrassing. VCU used to be the best radio location in @A10MBB. Haven’t been there yet this year, but it appears to now be the worst," tweeted Bob Black, who broadcasts for the University of Richmond.
Embarrassing. VCU used to be best radio location in @A10MBB. Haven’t been there yet this year, but it appears to now be the worst. Hang in there, @Rhody_Shane!
— Bob Black (@spidervoice) February 9, 2022
Figure it out @VCUAthletics this is outrageously unacceptable @A10MBB @atlantic10
— DOMINIQUE TURNER (@DomTurnerABC6) February 9, 2022
Oh, they are there. Right next to visiting radio. And with no ladder. Did a game there in November. Astonished it is still the set up
— John Emmett (@VSU_Voice) February 9, 2022
