Brigham Young University said Friday it completed an investigation into accusations of racial taunting and slander at last month’s volleyball game with Duke University and found no evidence confirming the conduct took place.
At a game on Aug. 26, a black player on the Duke University women’s volleyball team said she and her African-American teammates were heckled at their race. record crowd Over 5,500 people were in the stands for the game at the college arena in Provo, Utah.
On game night, BYU said a person sitting in the fan section would be banned from all Cougars sporting events, but the Salt Lake Tribune later found evidence that an unidentified spectator was responsible. said no. he shouted slander. John McBride, the university’s associate athletic director, said on Tuesday that an investigation was ongoing.
In a statement provided by McBride on Friday, the school said an investigation was complete.
“After our extensive investigation, we found no evidence to support claims that fans had racially taunted or uttered racial slurs at the event,” the statement said. As I said earlier, we do not tolerate behavior that puts student-athletes at risk.”
Duke’s father, Marvin Richardson, told The New York Times after the game that slurs were repeatedly yelled from the stands while his daughter Rachel Richardson was serving, fearing a “loud” crowd. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday’s BYU findings.
Two days after the game, sophomore Richardson said in a statement posted on Twitter. She and her African-American teammates were “targeted and racially heckled throughout the match.”
“The slander and comments turned into threats and made us feel unsafe,” she said. “Both officials and BYU coaching staff were made aware of the incident during the game, but were unable to take the necessary steps to stop the unacceptable behavior and create a safe environment.”
Duke University said in a statement Friday that it supports the volleyball player.
BYU did not directly address why its findings contradicted Richardson’s account, leaving the universities’ statements questionable. As part of the investigation, BYU said it reviewed security footage and footage shot on the school’s television channel with broadcast audio removed to hear noise from the stands more clearly.
The school also said it reached out to more than 50 people who attended the event, including athletes and staff from both Duke and BYU, event security and administration personnel, and “many fans of the student section on the court.” It was not clear how many people were actually interviewed.
“While we were unable to find evidence of racism from many recordings and interviews, all concerned acknowledge our sincere efforts to make all student-athletes competing at BYU feel at ease. I hope you will understand.”
BYU said it would no longer ban the attendance of the fan that Duke’s Blue Devils originally identified as using racist slurs during the game. We sincerely apologize,” the statement said.
In a statement from Duke University, the university’s vice president and director of athletics, Nina King, said the school sided with the women’s volleyball team, but she did not comment on the university’s role in the investigation or how BYU was interviewed. He did not mention anyone who may have done so.
“The 18 members of the Duke University volleyball team are very strong women who represent themselves, their families and Duke University with the highest integrity,” King said. “We unequivocally support and defend them, especially when their character is called into question. Duke Athletics believes in respect, equality and inclusion, and we do not tolerate hatred or bigotry. plug.”
After the allegations were made during the game, a police officer was placed on Duke’s bench for the rest of the match. Duke also changed the venue for his games after the tournament from his fieldhouse in Provo, Utah, to creating a safer atmosphere for both teams. .
On Sept. 2, Dawn Staley, the coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, announced that he would be banned from BYU for scheduled games, including the season opener on Nov. 7, for behavior described at a volleyball game. He said he would cancel the match with
“My job as head coach is to do what’s best for my players and staff,” Staley, who became the first black person to win two NCAA championships as a head coach in April, said the week after the game. said in a statement.
In a new statement Friday, Staley defended himself not playing the game.
“I will continue to stand my ground,” she said. “After personal research, I made the decision for the well-being of the team.” I added that there is.
BYU is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The student population is predominantly white and Mormon. Less than 1% of her students are black. Schools are struggling to create an inclusive environment for students of color, according to a February 2021 report by a college commission that studied race on campus.
Alan Blinder contributed to the report.