Brigham Young University said Tuesday it was still investigating those responsible for the racist slurs and threats that a black player on Duke University’s women’s volleyball team said were directed at her during an Aug. 26 game.
After the game, BYU banned the person sitting in the fan section from participating in all college sporting events. But last week, the school told the Salt Lake Tribune and other local media that it had found no evidence that an unidentified spectator was responsible for shouting the slurs.
“The investigation is ongoing,” John McBride, the university’s associate athletic director, said in an email on Tuesday. “We are investigating fan behavior and BYU’s reaction to that behavior, reviewing video and audio, and taking first-hand testimony from individuals who were present.”
McBride said the banned person was noted by Duke University, but BYU “could not find evidence that the person used the slur in the match.”The university did not identify the person. No, but said it wasn’t.Student. McBride did not respond to questions asking if the ban had been lifted.
More than 5,500 people gathered in the stands. The Tribune said the school asked people who were at the game to share the video to help with the investigation.
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. In a text message on Tuesday, he said his family declined to comment on the investigation.
A police officer was placed on Duke’s bench after the episode. created a safer atmosphere for
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.”
She said that after the heckling escalated into intimidation and the issue was raised, BYU’s coaching staff and officials “failed to take the necessary steps to stop the unacceptable behavior and create a safe environment.” said.
“As a result, my teammates and I had to struggle just to get through the rest of the game instead of focusing on playing so that we could compete at the highest possible level,” Richardson said. Told.
She said the fan behavior did not reflect the behavior of competitors who showed “respect and good sportsmanship on and off the court”. said he acted on
This college is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In an opinion piece published Thursday in the church-owned The Deseret News, Holmo said the university and its athletics department had promised “no tolerance for racism” and that no racial discrimination was allowed at the venue. He said he would ban fans who use discriminatory insults.
“Let me clarify BYU’s position on this issue: racism is repulsive and unacceptable,” he wrote. “We have worked with sincere commitment and continued concern to understand and follow up on Rachel’s experience.
The BYU campus is predominantly white and Mormon. According to his February 2021 report by the University Commission that has studied race on campus, less than 1% of his student population is black, and many students of color “feel unsafe and I feel isolated.”
The Black Menaces, a group of BYU black students using social media to discuss racism on college campuses, are unnerved by a “lack of action” from people during the game. None of them had the guts or courage to condemn pure racism.” the group said in a statement.
At least one BYU competitor was dissatisfied with the school’s response.
On Friday, Dawn Staley, coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, said she canceled games scheduled for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons against BYU, including the season opener on November 7. I was. Illustrated in a volleyball match with Duke.
“My job as head coach is to do what is best for the players and staff. “Home and Home” is where each team agrees to host one home game.
In a statement on Twitter, The BYU women’s basketball team said it was “extremely disappointed” with the decision and asked for “patience” in the investigation.
“We believe the solution is to work together to eradicate racism, not to separate from each other,” the statement said.