The Big 12 hit UCF with a $100,000 fine after anti-religious chants from fans broke out during Saturday’s game against BYU.
The conference said those chants came during a 39-31 UCF win in double overtime at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium. BYU is founded and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
According to the Big 12, warnings were shown on the scoreboard throughout the game and the public address announcer also addressed the issue. Security then moved through the stadium to remove people involved in the chants.
Even with the penalty, the league noted that UCF had pregame protocols in place and reacted right away once the chants were identified, including ejecting the individuals responsible. The conference still made its position clear: “discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12.”
The money from the fine will be used for student education initiatives.
UCF responded in a statement to the Sentinel: “After becoming aware of the conference’s decision, we will be reviewing our options.”
The Knights’ upset of then-No. 2 BYU triggered a storm of celebration at the end, with fans rushing the field after the double-overtime finish. The Big 12 said UCF was not fined for the field storming because proper protocol was followed to allow the BYU team a safe, secure exit.
Along with the penalty, the Big 12 announced a new conference-wide policy on discriminatory conduct at athletic events. Under the updated rules, a confirmed first incident during a game brings a minimum $100,000 fine and a formal warning.
A second confirmed incident during the same game can lead to an in-game penalty - such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball - and could also mean an additional $500,000 fine. Individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct will be barred from athletics events for the rest of the academic year.
The situation was not isolated. The source said BYU has been targeted by similar chants before, including reported incidents at Colorado State on Sept. 19 and at Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Colorado last season.
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