Colorado State Apologizes for Derogatory Chants Aimed at BYU
University condemns fan behavior after chants targeting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during football game.
Colorado State University has issued an apology to Brigham Young University (BYU) following derogatory chants directed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by fans during Saturday night's football game. The chants originated primarily from the student section, mostly before the game began.
"Mocking anyone’s faith has no place at CSU," the university stated in a release late in the fourth quarter, as the 11th-ranked Cougars defeated the Rams 41-23. "It runs counter to our community’s values and to who we are. BYU’s players, coaches and fans deserved better. We are addressing this with our students."
BYU, the flagship academic institution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the target of the offensive chants. Head coach Kalani Sitake commented on the incident, acknowledging that while a minority of fans engaged in the behavior, he did not want to judge the entire fanbase.
"The guys are motivated to play football, no matter what," Sitake said when asked if the chants provided extra motivation. "We’re not going to judge an entire fan base on a few — a few of the ones that made their chants."
Running back LJ Martin, who rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns in the game, stated that the team is self-motivated and that external noise does not add to their drive. "Of course, you just hear them talking," Martin said. "It makes it a lot funner when you do go out there and perform the way you do. It makes it a lot funner just to see them go from real loud just to real quiet."
This incident follows a similar event last September when Colorado was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 Conference for expletives and religious slurs directed at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a game against BYU. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark condemned those chants at the time. Additionally, in November, Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham apologized to BYU and the church for derogatory chants made by fans during a game between the Bearcats and the Cougars.