Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Arizona's athletic director apologized for an offensive chant targeting Latter-day Saints during BYU's basketball game.
- The United Jewish Federation of Utah condemned the chant, emphasizing the need for unity against religious intolerance.
- BYU's win over Arizona was marked by tensions, including a post-game scuffle between players.
PROVO — It didn't take long following BYU's 96-95 win over No. 19 Arizona for the ugly chant that has permeated opposing arenas from coast to coast to find its way into the stands at the McKale Center.
It also didn't take long for Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois to condemn it.
Reed-Francois — who signed a five-year contract with the Tucson-based school last year after a career at Missouri, UNLV, Virginia Tech, San Francisco and Santa Clara, among others — issued a swift apology on behalf of the university and its athletic department after a segment of Wildcat fans chanted, "(expletive) the Mormons" inside the 14,545-seat arena Saturday night.
"Following tonight's men's basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred," Reed-Francois said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. "On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The chant is not reflective of who we are and should not have happened."
Later Sunday, the United Jewish Federation of Utah released a statement that "expressed deep concern and disappointment" over what the federation called "derogatory" chants directed at BYU and its sponsoring institution, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Such incidents of religious intolerance are unacceptable and have no place in our society," read the statement in part from the federation that was founded in 1943. "They not only harm the targeted community but also undermine the principles of respect and unity that bind us together.
"In times like these, it is imperative for all communities to stand together against hate and bigotry. The Jewish community, having faced its own history of prejudice, understands the profound impact of such actions. We extend our solidarity to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and BYU, reaffirming our commitment to fostering an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect."
The group also called upon "educational institutions, athletic organizations, and community leaders" to "actively promote inclusivity and to educate against all forms of discrimination."
"Together, we can build a society that celebrates diversity and stands united against intolerance."
Statement from Vice President and Director of Athletics, Desireé Reed-Francois:
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) February 23, 2025
Following tonight's men's basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred.
On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU,…
The chant followed Richie Saunders' free throws that helped seal the win for the Cougars, part of a 23-point outing for the junior from Riverton who is also a returned missionary for the church in Seattle. Among Arizona's roster is Addison Arnold, a 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman from Simi Valley, California, who served a two-year mission for the church in Argentina.
Arnold is the grandson of former BYU basketball coach Frank Arnold. His father, Gib, played college basketball at Arizona State and UC San Diego before a coaching career that included time leading Hawaii from 2010-14.
Emotions also spilled over on the court, when moments after the final whistle, Arizona star Caleb Love — who had a game-high 27 points with five assists — also appeared to briefly scuffle with BYU's Mawot Mag, who scored 11, in the post-game handshake line.
Both players were escorted from the court by players, coaches and staff members from both teams without further incident.
As for the chant, the taunt made an appearance at a BYU men's basketball road tilt for the second time this season, and the first since the same phrase was used at Providence College — a small Catholic school with 4,363 undergraduate students in Providence, Rhode Island — during the Friars' 83-64 win over the Cougars during the Big East-Big 12 Battle in December.
Like Reed-Francois, Providence athletic director Steven Napolillo swiftly condemned the chant, posting an apology on social media calling the chant "unacceptable."
"Once it was brought to my attention, I went to the student body and had them stop," Napolillo said. "That does not represent who Providence College is & what we stand for. We are sorry."
BYU continues its two-game road swing Wednesday at Arizona State (7:30 p.m. MST, ESPN+). The Cougars are back home Saturday to host West Virginia (8 p.m. MST, ESPN/2/U).
