The Big 12 has issued a public reprimand and $50,000 fine to the University of Colorado following offensive chants that took place during Saturday’s game against BYU at Folsom Field.
In a statement, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark addressed the incident directly. “Hateful and discriminatory language has no home in the Big 12 Conference,” Yormark said. “While we appreciate Colorado apologizing for the chants that occurred in the stands during Saturday’s game, the Big 12 maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
The chants, namely “F*** the Mormons,” were widely condemned after being reported during and after the game. The league determined that the conduct violated its Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, which prohibit discriminatory language of any kind.
Following the backlash, the University of Colorado released its own apology, calling the behavior “deeply disappointing” and stating that it does not reflect the school’s values of respect and inclusion. The university reaffirmed its expectations for fan conduct and said that the actions of those in the stands were inconsistent with the standards outlined in its Fan Code of Conduct.
For BYU, the Big 12’s action represents one of the rare times in which the league has taken formal disciplinary steps in response to behavior from opposing fans. The financial penalty makes it clear that the conference is not treating this as a minor matter, but instead as an issue that demands a strong response.
The reprimand also highlights how the Big 12 is attempting to set boundaries for fan behavior as it continues to grow and add high-profile rivalries. Heated atmospheres are a normal part of college football, but the conference has drawn a line when fan energy turns into targeted hate speech.
Both schools will now move forward with a spotlight on their handling of game-day environments. For Colorado, this incident serves as a reminder that the actions of its fans carry consequences. For the Big 12, it sends a message across the league that hateful or discriminatory chants will not only draw condemnation but financial punishment as well.
