Mike Lucas Speaks Out: The Inside Story of His Controversial Departure from Wisconsin Sports Broadcasting
The Sudden Exit of a Wisconsin Sports Icon
Veteran radio announcer Mike Lucas recently lifted the curtain on his sudden departure from the University of Wisconsin's sports broadcasting scene. Sharing his side of the story on his new podcast, "Lucas and Oates," Lucas expressed his frustration over how the exit unfolded.
How It All Came to an End
Lucas, who worked alongside play-by-play announcer Matt Lepay since 1994, revealed he was "blindsided" by the decision. "I got kicked to the curb by (UW athletic director) Chris McIntosh," Lucas stated. He had also been a writer for UWBadgers.com and Varsity Magazine, making him a well-rounded figure in Wisconsin sports journalism.
What Happens When "Jocks" Take the Booth
"It's their prerogative to pick who they want in the booth, and they wanted jocks in the booth," Lucas admitted. He was replaced by former Badgers and Packers offensive lineman Mark Tauscher, who has been co-host of the "Wilde and Tausch" show on ESPN Milwaukee since 2016. Despite acknowledging the university's freedom to choose, Lucas expressed disappointment over the manner of his exit. "Handle it with dignity, handle it with class," he urged.
Mike Lucas' Take on What Lies Ahead
"These are the cards that I have been dealt, and I'm fine with that," Lucas said, focusing on the future. He has returned to The Capital Times, where he worked for 39 years before taking a full-time job at UW in 2010. His experience and resilience suggest that the next chapter in his career could be as promising as the last.
"This is not about grievance. But I felt in fairness to some people who still thought I retired, but in fact I was retired, I thought it was important just to get it out there. Now that it's out there, it's done; like I said, I'm playing the cards I have in my hand, and I'm glad to be doing so." - Mike Lucas
Concluding Thoughts: The Cards in Lucas' Hand
While Mike Lucas' departure from Wisconsin sports broadcasting was sudden and less than ideal, he remains optimistic about what's next.