BYU coach calls out excessive ‘hate’ after alleged anti-Mormon chants; Big 12 investigates

Oklahoma State’s win over BYU was overshadowed by allegations of derogatory fan chants. Wednesday’s BYU-Oklahoma State game marked the fourth known instance in a year that fans have been accused of using offensive chants during a college basketball game.The Big 12 Conference later said it launched an investigation into the matter. “All parties have been notified,” the statement said. “The conference has zero tolerance for behavior of this nature and will address the matter in accordance with Big 12 sportsmanship policies.”After the game, Cougars men’s basketball coach Kevin Young said he heard the Oklahoma State student section chanting, “F The Mormons.”CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMYoung also asserted that his children would once again have questions about what allegedly transpired in Stillwater.”It’s a great win for Oklahoma State University. Their fans should be proud,” he said. “It would be great if some class was warranted in there as well. I’ve got four small kids at home. I’m a Mormon. When I go home, they’re going to ask me about it, same way as they asked me about it last year at Arizona,” the second-year Cougars coach said.”There’s just too much hate in the world to be saying stuff like that. We’ve got enough problems in our world without going at people’s religion and beliefs and whether it’s in vogue or not.”BYU is the flagship school for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon Church. Fox News Digital contacted both BYU and Oklahoma State athletics departments for comment.Oklahoma State President Jim Hess sent the following statement to Fox News Digital:”I am aware of concerns raised by BYU’s coaching staff regarding the conduct of some individuals in attendance at Wednesday’s basketball game. Any behavior that targets or demeans others has no place at Oklahoma State University and does not reflect who we are as Cowboys. The Cowboy Code calls us to treat others with respect and dignity, and we are reviewing what occurred and will address any violations of our standards of conduct appropriately.”Oklahoma State University values the relationship we have with BYU and deeply respects their community and their faith. I have reached out to BYU leadership directly to express our commitment to upholding the standards we expect from our community. We will continue to work with our students and fans to ensure that the atmosphere at our events reflects the values of the Cowboy family.”BYU officials did not immediately respond.As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Oklahoma State fans rushed the court to celebrate the upset of No. 16 BYU.In February 2025, Arizona apologized after the school said some fans participated in an “unacceptable chant” after the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU in Tucson. According to online video, fans were heard yelling a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams were leaving the court.In September, Colorado apologized and was fined $50,000 by