A Los Angeles Times reporter who covers LSU’s weekend column apologized Monday for the widely criticized article.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey harshly criticized Ben Bolch in an article that described the Sweet 16 game between UCLA and LSU as a “reconciliation” of good and evil, and characterized Ben Bolch as a “dirty debutante.” He took issue with the comparison of games between the Tigers. The Bruins are “Louisiana Hot Sauce” and “Milk and Cookies.”
Mulkey called the piece “sexist.”
Borch, who covers UCLA for the LA Times, was panned for the article. Even Skip Bayless He criticized the publication of the article in the Times.
“Words matter. As a journalist, no one should know this better than me. But I failed miserably with my choice of words.”Borch In an apology posted online, he wrote:
“In my column previewing the LSU-UCLA women’s basketball game, I tried to cleverly describe one team’s attitude using alliteration without understanding the very offensive connotations and associations. I also used inappropriate metaphors. Our society has had to deal with so much misogyny, racism, and negativity that now I wonder why the words I used are Now I know I was wrong. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I now understand that I was terribly out of line.”
The Los Angeles Times removed the offensive language over the weekend, saying in a statement that it “does not meet the Times’ editorial standards.”
The work was seen not only by Mulkey but also by many LSU players, including Haley Van Lith, who spoke out about the work over the weekend and questioned its racial undertones.
“I sincerely apologize to the LSU and UCLA basketball teams and to our readers,” Borch said in a statement. “UCLA, which I’ve covered for nearly a decade, is known as a champion of diversity and a leader in inclusion. But I don’t live up to that standard in my writing, and I want to do better.” I intend to do so. I am truly sorry.”
Ultimately, LSU’s season ended Monday night with Iowa defeating the Tigers 94-87 in the Elite Eight in Albany.
