Arizona athletic director apologies for anti-Mormon chant following Wildcats loss to BYU

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Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois issued an apology early Sunday morning for fans chanting an anti-Mormon chant towards BYU following Saturday night’s Arizona basketball 96-65 loss at the McKale Center.

The incident happened postgame following a brief handshake line brawl between the Wildcats and Cougars, when Arizona fans shouted a derogatory statement — which consisted of an expletive followed by “Mormons” — toward BYU players as they left the court.

BYU, of course, is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The chant was made aware in a video on X (formerly Twitter).

“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,” Reed-Francois said.

Statement from Vice President and Director of Athletics, Desireé Reed-Francois:

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,…

— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) February 23, 2025

REQUIRED READING: BYU pulls out win over Arizona Wildcats in controversial ending at McKale Center

As alluded to above, players from both teams had to be separated at half-court during the postgame handshake line. ESPN broadcaster noted that Wildcats guard Caleb Love had to be escorted off the court himself from the incident.

“It was just talking. It was nothing crazy,” said Love about the incident after the game.

Arizona coach Tommy Llyod did not comment on the brief postgame brawl at half-court in his postgame news conference, as he was not asked about it by a member of the media.

The Wildcats had an opportunity to win the game on their last possession, but forward Trey Townsend was called for a controversial foul with…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/arizona-athletic-director-apologies-anti-173816347.html

Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Publish date : 2025-02-23 17:38:00

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