FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State is apologizing after fans were heard directing a derogatory chant at BYU before Saturday’s game at Canvas Stadium.
In the pregame, CSU fans were heard chanting “F- the Mormons.” Before the game was over, the university sent a statement to members of the media in the press box addressing what happened.
“Colorado State University apologizes to BYU, its student-athletes and fans, and to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the chant directed at them during Saturday’s game.
“Mocking anyone’s faith has no place at CSU. It runs counter to our community’s values and to who we are.
BYU’s players, coaches, and fans deserved better. We are addressing this with our students.”
The apology came during the first meeting between the two schools in 16 years. BYU and Colorado State were once conference rivals in the WAC and the Mountain West Conference.
This is the second straight year a BYU trip to Colorado has sparked an apology. Last season, the University of Colorado apologized after derogatory chants aimed at BYU and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Colorado State now joins Colorado and Cincinnati from last football season as schools that dealt with similar chants toward BYU.
After the game, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake was asked what can be done to keep that from happening again.
“Listen, everyone’s human. I’m not going to dwell on that.
I know amazing people that are Colorado State fans and alumni, and I’m just going to focus on the beautiful people that are positive,” Sitake said. “You can’t judge the entire fan base on a few.
That’s what we’re going to be focused on. The environment here was awesome, and yeah, the fans are excited about their team.
So, other than that, I’m not too worried about it.”
The teams are scheduled to meet again in 2029, when Colorado State travels to Provo to finish the home-and-home series.
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