The Big 12 Conference has issued a $100,000 fine to the University of Central Florida after what it described as “discriminatory chants” directed at Brigham Young University while the Cougars played the Knights on Saturday.
Video above: Big 12 investigates reports of ‘inappropriate chants’ from OSU student section during BYU game
In a statement released Wednesday, the conference said it had completed its review of the discriminatory chants, issued the fine, and was implementing the following new conference-wide policy measures — effective immediately — to establish escalating consequences for discriminatory conduct at its athletic events:
- A confirmed first incident during a game will result in an automatic minimum $100,000 fine.
- A formal warning will follow the first incident, providing the institution an opportunity to immediately address the behavior and prevent further incidents.
- A second confirmed incident during the same game will result in an in-game competitive penalty, e.g., a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or an unsportsmanlike two-shot technical foul in basketball, and may result in an additional $500,000 fine.
- Individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct will be prohibited from attending all athletic events for the remainder of the academic year and are subject to applicable University fan/student conduct policies.
Once paid, the fine will be directed toward student education initiatives, according to the conference.
Though the conference acknowledged that UCF followed pregame protocols and took immediate actions during the game “including removal of some individuals responsible for the conduct,” it added that discriminatory behavior “has no place in the Big 12.”
“The Big 12 remains committed to providing a respectful environment for student-athletes, coaches and fans,” the statement reads. “Discriminatory conduct will not be tolerated, and the Conference will continue working with its member institutions to prevent such behavior and ensure meaningful consequences when incidents occur.”
Saturday’s game resulted in a 39-31 double-overtime victory for UCF over previously undefeated No. 2 BYU, the highest-ranked opponent to visit the Knights in program history.
Hearst sister station WESH was at the game and can report that some UCF fans could be heard chanting, “(expletive) the Mormons.”
We are otherwise working to verify with either school what chant, or chants, prompted the fine.
“After becoming aware of the conference’s decision, we will be reviewing our options,” a UCF spokesperson said in a statement.
WESH spoke with several students on the UCF campus Thursday. They say they don’t want a few bad apples to define their fan base.
“I think it’s a bit unfair,” UCF student Alberto Socias said of the BIG 12’s fine, “but I also understand the need for keeping these comments outside of sports.”
From afar, Socias said he saw some fans removed by security from the Acrisure Bounce House for yelling the anti-Mormon slurs.
“I feel like it was a loud minority,” he said, “because they were screaming it super loud, so it seemed like a lot of people were saying it. But in reality, it was just a loud few people.”
Brock Sly from Utah said he’s still a Cougars fan after transferring from BYU to UCF. He’s also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I’m kind of conflicted,” Sly said. “I appreciate UCF’s response, but at the same time, I feel like it’s never something that should be chanted out in public. Bigotry is never OK. It wouldn’t be OK against any other religion.”
Sly said he supports the Big 12’s updated policy to crack down on fan misconduct.
“I think a fine, students don’t really recognize that,” Sly said, “but if they see the team getting penalized, they’re going to realize like, hey, that’s probably not something we can be doing. We’re actively hurting our teams, so let’s stop.”
WESH emailed UCF on Thursday asking if it will appeal the fine, how many fans were kicked out of the game, and whether any students could face discipline.
The university responded that it has nothing additional to share at this time.
