March Madness can sometimes be maddening.
The Utah Utes women’s basketball team faced disturbing incidents of racial discrimination during their NCAA tournament experience. Following their second-round loss to Gonzaga, Utes head coach Lynne Roberts disclosed the unsettling events, indicating that the team had to relocate from their hotel due to the offensive treatment they encountered.
Roberts expressed deep dismay over the incidents, describing them as “racial hate crimes” directed at their program. She emphasized the shock of encountering such behavior in an environment like athletics and university settings, where diversity is prevalent.
“We had several instances of some kind of racial hate crimes towards our program,” Roberts said during the post-game press conference. “Incredibly upsetting for all of us.”
“You know, you think in our world, in athletics and university settings, it’s shocking in a … like there is so much diversity on a college campus and so you’re just not exposed to that very often.”
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Charmelle Green, Utes Deputy Athletic Director, recounted instances where strangers hurled racial slurs, including the N-word, at the team while they were out for dinner. The entire group, including players, band members, and cheerleaders, was left stunned by the verbal attacks.
Despite the distressing situation, the NCAA and Gonzaga facilitated the team’s relocation to a hotel in Spokane. The Bulls athletic department issued a statement expressing their frustration and deep sadness over the intolerable events.
The University of Utah has taken action by filing a police report regarding the incidents.
