Brigham Young University is a prestigious university with a sports program revered by many. But it is under attack, as several derogatory chants broke out again this year. These disgusting shouts specifically targeted the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Year after year, these chants take place, and yet very few repercussions have taken place.
These chants come from several notable universities this year and in years past. These are the same repetitive chants they’ve heard for many seasons.
The most recent example of these derogatory chants comes from the University of Cincinnati during its matchup with BYU in November 2025. As the game heats up and the BYU Cougars take the lead in the second quarter, the stadium begins to chant, “F*** the Mormons.” The chants continue throughout the game, with the school’s announcer attempting to quiet them to little success. Finally, BYU emerges victorious in a 26-14 final score. An apology was given by the Bearcats of Cincinnati, and condemnations were expressed. But these words are still heard throughout much of the college football community.
Many more incidents have taken place, not just in the college football community. In February 2025, at a basketball game where No. 13 BYU took on No. 15 Arizona Wildcats in a close game. As promised, it was a competitive game, with the Cougars emerging victorious, 96-95. The Wildcat fan base began the horrid chants after the game. The line was crossed; this unacceptable chant that has haunted BYU fans roared out across the stadium. This targeted and verbal harassment drew the attention of the University of Arizona’s athletic director, who naturally issued an apology that was accepted.
Several more incidents have taken place with major universities:
- The University of Southern California, 2021: More derogatory chanting roared through the stadium after the Cougar victory of 35-31.
- The University of Oregon, 2022: Even though the Ducks beat the Cougars by a staggering 21 points, the offensive and disgraceful chants were heard.
- Providence College, 2024: The Cougars faced the Friars in basketball, who beat BYU 83-64. The offensive cheers once more rang out through the stadium.
- The University of Colorado, 2025: BYU bested the Buffaloes 24-21, where their excessive shouts elicited a $50,000 fine from the Big 12 Conference.
Many student-athletes have commented on these incidents. BYU’s former starting quarterback JakeRetzlaff, a member of the Jewish faith, said, “This can’t be normalized.” This behavior can’t be continued and must be condemned at the national level by the NCAA. There has been little consequence given to these notable universities. Furthermore, the NCAA has not once made a comment denouncing the actions taken by these fans.
After each one of these disparaging outbreaks and unsettling chants, sincere apologies have been made, but the trend continues year after year. This is a very real pattern of disrespect and discrimination that continues to ruin sporting events for BYU fans everywhere. Even after the $50,000 fine was given to the University of Colorado, the incident at the University of Cincinnati took place. Can we attribute these targeted acts to senseless college students looking to take their angered losses or excited victors out on an easy target? Maybe, but it’s possibly an attack on a religion that appears different from everyone else’s. But isn’t this the exact freedom that we escaped from all those years ago: to worship as we please, without persecution?
Yet, those in the church community have chosen to respond with grace and forgiveness in every case. These acts of persecution and victimization would never be tolerated in any other religion; why? Nevertheless, it’s acceptable to persecute the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yet, of course, it’s unacceptable to discriminate against a religion such as the Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and even non-religious communities, such as the LGBT? Why is this church organization any different?
CONN CARROLL: NO-RULES COLLEGE BASKETBALL
The NCAA needs to take action and set a precedent for colleges and universities across the nation. By doing so, they will be showing the entire college sports community that these egregious acts are not acceptable. Yet their nonexistent condemnation is worrisome; change is needed.
The University of Colorado was fined by the Big 12. Are more fines needed? What repercussions will be implemented? One thing is for certain: attacking and targeting a religion is completely and utterly unacceptable in any setting.