Following the Arizona Wildcats' narrow 96-95 loss to Brigham Young University (BYU) on Saturday night, the University of Arizona has issued an apology for an inappropriate chant made by some fans. The incident occurred as fans were leaving the court, with video evidence capturing individuals yelling a profane phrase aimed at Mormons, in reference to BYU being affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois expressed regret over the incident, stating, 'Following tonight’s men’s basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred. On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches, and fans. The chant is not reflective of who we are and should not have happened.'
Despite the controversy, BYU emerged victorious in the game, with Richie Saunders leading the charge by scoring 23 points, including crucial free throws in the final seconds to secure the win for the Cougars. This marked BYU's fourth consecutive victory, with the team also claiming a significant 91-57 win over No. 23 Kansas earlier in the week.
It is essential to uphold respect and sportsmanship in all aspects of athletic competition, and incidents like this serve as reminders of the importance of maintaining a positive and inclusive environment for all participants and fans. Moving forward, both universities are committed to fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding among their respective communities.
For more updates and news on college basketball, stay tuned to the AP Top 25 coverage throughout the season.
Sources: AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll and College Basketball News
