In this March 27, 2022 file photo, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley speaks with officials during the first half of a college basketball game against Creighton during the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Gerry Broome, Associated Press).
Estimated duration: 3-4 minutes
PROVO — The fallout from the alleged racism incident during last week’s BYU women’s volleyball game against Duke took an unfortunate toll on Friday afternoon.
South Carolina immediately canceled its home-and-home women’s basketball series with the Cougars. Head coach Dawn Staley said in a statement.
The Gamecocks are set to begin a two-game series against BYU in their home opener in Columbia, South Carolina, on November 7, and have been contracted for a return trip to Provo during the 2023-24 season. A new opponent has yet to be decided, according to the school.
“My job as head coach is to do what’s best for my players and staff,” Staley said in a statement released by the state of South Carolina. I’ve come to appreciate it, but I don’t feel now is the right time to join this series.
South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner said he supports the coach’s decision.
“Dawn and I have discussed her thoughts on the situation,” Tanner said in a statement. “
Staley cited the incident during BYU’s home volleyball game with Duke. Sophomore Rachel Richardson claimed fans used racial slurs against her and other black teammates at Duke as a reason to stop the series. BYU Athletic her director Tom Holmo and other officials were quick to denounce racism in launching an investigation. One fan claimed by Duke said defamation was banned indefinitely From the campus athletic meet.
“I ask everyone at every game that represents BYU to have the courage to stand up and to be able to care for each other,” Holmo said to a crowd of fewer than 5,700, which set an attendance record of 5,700. Last Friday night, Smith Fieldhouse said, “And more importantly, we invite you to come and perform so that we may become disciples of Christ and show it in every way possible.” I am a guest who will
BYU police, in their incident report, said: The department found no direct evidence that the slur was saidand the responding officer did not believe the slur was used by a fan who was not a BYU student but was sitting or standing near the BYU student section.
The day after the incident, Holmoe called on BYU’s student section to respect guests, especially athletes from other schools, on campus. BYU has already updated its Fan Code of Conduct, which is read out at all athletic events on campus. women’s soccer match on monday Continue this week with the BYU Nike Invitational Women’s Volleyball Tournament in Provo.
That tournament, like last Saturday’s game, will be played without the student section directly behind the server on the south side of Smith Fieldhouse. BYU has said it is undecided how the space will be used going forward, but will reserve it for non-competing teams to scout their opponents during the invite.
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