Dec 20, 2006 7:36 pm US/Central
Radio Host Mike North May Lose Senn H.S. Honor
Detractors Site Comment Offensive To Asian Americans
by Joanie Lum
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Mike North makes his living by making his opinions known on the radio, and he is no stranger to controversy.
Now, the host of a sports radio talk show is in trouble for something he said on the air.
CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports on the honor he was to receive, that may be taken away.
Trenches are being dug for a new drainage system on Senn High School's campus. The renovated softball field sports emerald green, professional grade turf.
The local school council planned to dedicate the field to Mike north, Senn's most famous alumnus, who never graduated.
But time out, they just learned the wise guy sports broadcaster has a tarnished record.
Last summer, when Korean Chicago Cubs pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu gave up several home runs, effectively losing a game to Atlanta, North reportedly said on his show, "Who was that Chinaman?", a racial slur.
"Chinaman is a charged and offensive term to justify lynchings in Chinatowns and the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II," said Myron Guon of the Asian American institute.
"If we had known those kind of comments he made, that would have been a different story," said Linda England of the Senn local school council.
North apologized, but mocked racial sensitivity. Asian American groups say North is no role model.
But supporters say the hot dog vendor-turned millionaire broadcaster is a success story.
"He could bring some resources into Senn High School maybe even his youth aspect, he could talk to kids in trouble," England said.
Score sports radio management referred all questions to North, who is on vacation and did not return our requests for an interview.
WSCR radio is owned by CBS.
Senn's local school council will reconsider the issue next month.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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