FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- An Arkansas radio personality announced that she was fired Monday, two days after wearing a Florida Gators hat to an Arkansas Hogs news conference.
Renee Gork announced on Twitter that she had been fired by KAKS, a northwest Arkansas radio station that calls itself Hog Sports Radio. Gork had worn a Gator hat Saturday to a news conference with Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino.
Petrino, whose team lost to the Gators last season 23-20 at Florida, commented on Gork's hat after answering a question she asked. "And that will be the last question I answer with that hat on," Petrino said.
Gork, a Florida graduate, said she grabbed the hat without thinking Saturday because it was raining outside. She also said she sent a letter of apology to the university and Petrino.
"Was hoping to publicly apologize to coach Petrino and UA fans on the show today ... but I won't get that chance," Gork wrote on KAKS' Twitter account. "I've been fired."
Gork could not be reached Monday for comment. There was no telephone listing in her name in the Fayetteville area.
KAKS general manager Dan Storrs confirmed in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that Gork was no longer working for the station but declined to comment further, saying it was a personnel matter.
However, he added, "This radio station is Hog Sports Radio. We are very biased. We support the Razorbacks 100 percent."
Arkansas released a statement on Tuesday saying they have no connection to The Hog Sports Radio and has no direct or indirect control over the station's management or personnel decisions.
"University of Arkansas athletic department personnel did communicate to the reporter that her attendance at Monday's practice was not recommended to allow additional time to pass," the school said in the statement. "The University wishes to be very clear that it did not request any employment action with regard to the reporter."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.