BYU coach Kevin Young expressed his frustration after a recent game against Oklahoma State, where he heard anti-Mormon chants from the student section. In his postgame interview, he acknowledged the excitement surrounding Oklahoma State’s win but highlighted the need for respect: “It would be great if some class was warranted,” he said.
Young, who is a Mormon and has young children at home, reflected on the difficult conversations he has to have with them about such incidents. This wasn’t an isolated event. The Big 12 Conference is currently looking into this behavior, emphasizing that it has zero tolerance for such actions.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time derogatory chants have surfaced during BYU games. In the past year alone, similar taunts were directed at BYU during games against Arizona, Colorado, and Cincinnati. After those events, the involved schools issued apologies, and the Big 12 fined Colorado $50,000 for inappropriate conduct.
Young lamented the growing divisiveness in society, stating, “There’s too much hate in the world to be saying stuff like that.” He noted the importance of treating people with respect, regardless of their beliefs.
During the game, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa stood out with an impressive performance, scoring 36 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. However, it wasn’t enough to secure a win, marking the Cougars’ third consecutive loss. Following the game, Oklahoma State fans celebrated by storming the court.
This incident reflects a larger trend in sports where rivalries can sometimes cross the line into disrespect. It raises an important conversation about how we address hate and promote inclusivity, not just in sports, but in all facets of life.
For more insights into the impact of sportsmanship on culture, consider viewing the NCAA’s Code of Conduct to understand how these values are upheld across collegiate athletics.
