The Big 12 Conference announced on Sunday afternoon it had levied at $50,000 fine against Oklahoma State following a controversial chant during the OSU basketball game vs. BYU last week.
The Big 12 said, “In accordance with the Big 12 Conference Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, the Conference has issued Oklahoma State University a $50,000 fine following its investigation into inappropriate chants which referenced the Mormon religion that occurred during Wednesday’s men’s basketball game. The Big 12 Conference will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others.”
Oklahoma State put out its own statement saying in part, “It was determined that a derogatory chant followed a disputed call and referenced the Mormon faith in relation to game officials. The reference to religion did not meet our standards or expectations. Oklahoma State respects the Big 12’s decision and will not appeal the fine.”
The Big 12 Did the Right Thing
No matter what was said, the Big 12 did the right thing. There has been online debate as to whether or not Oklahoma State fans were chanting, “F the Mormons” or “Ref’s a Mormon.”
Frankly, it doesn’t matter as much as some of the defenders of “Ref’s a Mormon” seem to think. Using the religion as a way to abuse or heckle an official is not really something that’s very defensible. Leave the religion out of the game and out of the chants. There’s nothing good to come from it, and there is no silver lining to any of it.
The Fine is Appropriate
A derogatory chant took place in Boulder this past football season between Colorado and BYU. At the time, the Big 12 issued a public reprimand and $50,000 fine to the University of Colorado following offensive chants that took place in their September game against BYU at Folsom Field.
So this $50,000 fine is in line with what the Big 12 has done against other universities as well. It’s LONG past time for the other 15 fan bases to drop this commentary from their chants. Get over it. Knock it off. And cut it out with the bigotry. This shouldn’t be hard, and it remains an ongoing stain of the Big 12 Conference.
