Big 12 Fines Oklahoma State for Derogatory Comments, OSU Investigates - Will Pay the Fine
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State won a huge Big 12 Conference game back on Wednesday, Feb. 4 knocking off then No. 14 BYU 99-92 for the Cowboys first Quad 1 win of the season according to the NET Rankings from the NCAA. It was a major win, but it comes with an added cost as the Big 12 announced on Sunday, Feb. 8 that they have fined Oklahoma State for derogatory comments made by the corwd, and referenced to coming from students seated on the floor.
The Big 12 Conference office released this statement:
In accordance with the Big 12 Conference Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, the Conference has issued Oklahoma State University a $50,000 fine following its investigation into inappropriate chants which referenced the Mormon religion that occurred during Wednesday’s men’s basketball game. The Big 12 Conference will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others.
The accusation was made immediately after the game in the postgame news conference and the accusation was worse than the findings by both the Big 12 and an internal investigation at Oklahoma State.
BYU head coach Kevin Young ended his time in the postgame news conference with this.
"I do want to say this before we get out of here and I hesitate to do this," Young stated. "But I'm going to do it. There was some ‘F*** the Mormons’ chants tonight by the student section that I heard. It’s a great win for Oklahoma State University. Their fans should be proud, but it’d be great if some class was in there, as well. I got four small kids at home. I’m a Mormon. When I go home, they’re going to ask me about it, the same way they asked me about it last year at Arizona.
“There’s just too much hate in the world to be saying stuff like that when we got enough problems in our world without going at people’s religion and beliefs and whether it’s en vogue or not," Young concluded.
Fans sitting on the floor that I talked to heard the comments, namedly after a call against Oklahoma State that “Referee is a Mormon.”
That seemed to be the conclusion of the internal investigation as Oklahoma State released this statement after the Big 12 announced the fine.
The university conducted an immediate investigation into the allegation that a group of students used an inappropriate chant during last Wednesday’s men’s basketball game between OSU and BYU.
It was determined that a derogatory chant followed a disputed call and referenced the Mormon faith in relation to game officials. The reference to religion did not meet our standards and expectations. Oklahoma State respects the Big 12’s decision and will not appeal the fine.
The Cowboy Code calls us to treat others with respect and dignity. Oklahoma State University values the relationship we have with BYU and deeply respects its community and faith. We will continue to work to ensure that the atmosphere at our events reflects the values of the Cowboy family.
We believe all sides have concluded the investigation and response to the situation.
