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Incident of Racial Hate Crimes at NCAA Tournament Hotel
Upon arrival at their first NCAA tournament hotel, the Utah women’s basketball team found themselves the victims of a series of racial hate crimes, resulting in the team being forced to change hotels for safety concerns. Head coach Lynne Roberts shed light on the distressing events following Utah’s loss to Gonzaga in the tournament’s second round.
Although not delving into specifics, Roberts disclosed that multiple incidents occurred on a Thursday night after the team’s arrival for the tournament, deeply disturbing the entire traveling party and raising significant safety apprehensions. The team, initially lodged approximately 30 miles away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, had to be relocated to a different hotel the next day.
“We had several instances of some kind of racial hate crimes towards our program, and [it was] incredibly upsetting for all of us,” Roberts expressed. “In our world, in athletics and in university settings, it’s shocking. There’s so much diversity on a college campus, and so you’re just not exposed to that very often.”
Moving to Coeur d’Alene
Utah, along with South Dakota State and UC Irvine, found themselves stationed in Idaho due to a shortage of available hotel accommodations in the Spokane area, where Gonzaga was hosting despite being the host school. This situation arose from the presence of a men’s NCAA tournament along with a regional youth volleyball tournament, leading Gonzaga to seek a waiver from the NCAA to house teams in Coeur d’Alene.
“Racism is real and it happens, and it’s awful,” emphasized Roberts. “For our players, whether they are white, black, green, whatever, no one knew how to handle it, and it was really upsetting. For our players and staff to not feel safe in an NCAA tournament environment, it’s messed up.”
Response and Resolution
Following Roberts’s remarks, Gonzaga issued a statement underscoring their commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants in the tournament. The statement expressed frustration and deep sadness over the compromise of what is typically a positive and celebratory event, reassuring that the incident does not align with the values and standards upheld by Gonzaga University.
The unfortunate ordeal, while serving as a distraction and casting a shadow over the tournament experience, prompted the NCAA and Gonzaga to swiftly coordinate the team’s relocation after the initial night. Despite the challenges faced, efforts were made to ensure the tournament’s integrity and the safety of all involved.
Indeed, the occurrence of such hate crimes serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive realities of racism, even within environments where diversity and inclusion are expected norms. The incident underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and actions to combat discriminatory behaviors and safeguard the well-being of all individuals, regardless of their background.
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