Big 12 Action: UCF Hit With $100,000 Fine for Anti-BYU Chants
The conference cited discriminatory behavior during a double-overtime football loss and announced new penalties for future incidents.
By Lauren Foster ·
The University of Central Florida faced a $100,000 fine from the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday following a review of conduct during its Saturday football game against Brigham Young University in Orlando, Florida. The conference identified the issue as discriminatory chants directed at BYU, a school with a large student body affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The fine will go toward student education initiatives. While the Big 12 acknowledged that UCF followed pregame protocols and removed some individuals responsible for the behavior, the conference stated that discriminatory conduct has no place in its games. At least one video shared on social media showed an explicit chant targeting Mormon followers.
UCF Athletics told ABC News that the school is reviewing its options after learning of the decision. The penalty comes after UCF defeated the then-No. 2 ranked BYU team in double overtime. The victory ended BYU's undefeated season and improved UCF's record to 4-3.
The Big 12 also announced updates to its conference-wide policy on discriminatory conduct at athletic events. Under the new rules, a first incident triggers an automatic minimum fine of $100,000, along with a formal warning. If a second incident occurs at the same game, teams face an in-game competitive penalty, such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball, plus a potential additional $500,000 fine.
Individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct are barred from attending all athletic events for the rest of the academic year. This is not the first time the Big 12 has penalized teams for chants aimed at BYU. In February, the conference fined Oklahoma State $50,000 for inappropriate chants during a men's basketball game. Colorado also received a $50,000 fine last year for similar behavior at a football game.
ABC News has reached out to BYU Athletics for further comment on the incident and the new conference guidelines.
Source: KOIL
