Arizona issues apology for 'unacceptable chant' during game vs. BYU

The University of Arizona released an apology for an “unacceptable chant” during Saturday’s game against BYU. You can read AD Desiree Reed-Francois’ statement below.

“Following tonight’s men’s basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred,” the statement read. “On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The chant is not reflective of who we are and should not have happened.”

As BYU players exited the court, following a 96-95 win over the Wildcats, the chant began in the Arizona student section known as the ZonaZoo.

The chant was allegedly “(expletive) the Mormons,” according to Yahoo Sports.

Arizona apologizes for chant towards BYU players

Arizona isn’t the first school to do this. BYU players have heard the chants during numerous road games this season, according to BYU’s associate director for communications and media strategy, Jon McBride.

“After these kinds of chants happen, we’re always thankful for an apology from a university leader or an athletic director, and we hope that productive conversations can happen on those campuses,” the statement read in part.

“We hope that opposing fan bases can understand that when they are disparaging The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and/or its members, they aren’t just disparaging BYU. There are members of their community, fans of their school and even coaches and student-athletes on their teams who are members of the very faith they are chanting about.”