Photo: Rick Bowmer/AP
The game, between BYU and Duke University, took place at BYU’s Smith Fieldhouse on the Provo, Utah, campus. During the game, a fan allegedly called Duke player Rachel Richardson, who is Black, a racial slur.
Richardson’s Godmother, Lesa Pamplin,tweeted about the incidentfirst, writing, “My Goddaughter is the only black starter for Dukes volleyball team. While playing yesterday, she was called a n—– every time she served.”
“All of God’s children deserve love and respect, and BYU Athletics is completely committed to leading out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice of any kind and rooting out racism,” the statement began.
“To say we are extremely disheartened in the actions of a small number of fans in last night’s volleyball match in the Smith Fieldhouse between BYU and Duke is not strong enough language. We will not tolerate behavior of this kind, specifically the use of a racial slur, at any of our athletic events,” it continued. “It is absolutely unacceptable and BYU Athletics holds a zero-tolerance approach to this behavior.”
Richardson said that it was not her intention “call out” BYU, but to “call them up,” noting a positive anti-racism seminar she and her fellow Duke athletes participated in.
The statement is in full on her account:
“We wholeheartedly apologize to Duke University and especially its student-athletes competing last night for what they experienced,” the statement added.
Duke later said that its match Saturday against Rider was moved from BYU’s Smith Fieldhouse to a different venue in Provovia a statementthey released following Friday’s game.
“First and foremost, our priority is the well-being of Duke student-athletes,” said Duke Vice President & Director of Athletics Nina King. “They should always have the opportunity to compete in an inclusive, anti-racist environment which promotes equality and fair play.
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“I have been in touch with the student-athletes who have been deeply impacted, will continue to support them in every way possible and look forward to connecting further upon their return from Provo,” King’s statement concluded.
BYU’s Athletic Director, Tom Holmoe,spoke to fansat the relocated venue ahead of the follow-up game.
“I want you to know that this morning, I visited with the young athlete on Duke’s team and her coach. If you would have met her, you would have loved her, but you don’t know her so you don’t feel that way. As children of God, we are responsible, it is our mission to treat everyone with respect,” he said.
Pamplin later detailed ina follow-up tweetthat not “one freaking adult” protected her goddaughter.
“For far too long, individuals have been subjected to racist slurs, taunts, and threats like the unfortunate incident that happened to my goddaughter, Rachel Richardson, at BYU. It is unfortunate that this incident has only received attention after I tweeted about it,” Pamplin said in an official statement.
source: people.com
