The head coach of the University of Utah women’s basketball team, Lynne Roberts, disclosed that her squad encountered a chilling series of racial hate incidents soon after they checked into their hotel for the NCAA Tournament. The team, consequently, had to switch accommodations over safety apprehensions.
Speaking of the distressing events, Roberts commented post Utah’s loss to Gonzaga in the NCAA’s second round on Monday evening. Without delving much into specifics, she mentioned that the team was targeted last Thursday night, not long after their arrival in Spokane, Washington, for the tournament. The gravity of the violations engendered genuine safety concerns.
Initially hosted approximately 30 miles away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the Utah team moved to another hotel by Friday.
“We had several instances of some kind of racial hate crimes directed at our program, which was incredibly disturbing to us all,” shared Roberts. She remarked on the rarity of encountering such bias amid the collegiate athletic and university milieu, citing the diversity and inclusivity typically championed in these environments.
Due to accommodation shortages in Spokane, linked to regional events and pre-bookings, Utah, along with South Dakota State and UC Irvine, had to stay at Idaho hotels despite the proximity of host school Gonzaga. An exemption from the NCAA allowed this arrangement.
The reality of racism hit hard, with its occurrence leaving everyone, regardless of their background, baffled and distressed, according to Roberts. She emphasized how unsettling it was for the team and staff to feel unsafe during what should have been an exciting NCAA tournament period.
Roberts appreciated the NCAA and Gonzaga’s efforts in re-accommodating the team post the initial incidents.
Nevertheless, Roberts deemed the entire episode a tarnish on what should be an exhilarating experience. Meanwhile, Gonzaga expressed regret over the incidents in a statement, assuring that such experiences do not align with the institution’s values and community standards.
Concerns over extremist activities in the area are not unfounded, with notable groups recorded by the Southern Poverty Law Center as active in the Spokane and northern Idaho region.
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FAQ
- What happened to the University of Utah women’s basketball team at the NCAA Tournament hotel?
- The team experienced a series of racial hate crimes that caused safety concerns and led to them changing hotels.
- Where was the Utah team staying for the NCAA Tournament?
- Initially, the team was staying in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, approximately 30 miles from Spokane, Washington, where the tournament was hosted.
- Why did Utah and other teams stay at hotels in Idaho instead of Spokane?
- Due to limited hotel availability in Spokane because of pre-booked events, including a men’s NCAA Tournament round and a youth volleyball tournament.
- How did the NCAA and the host school Gonzaga respond to the incidents?
- They promptly worked to move the affected Utah team to a different hotel and Gonzaga issued a statement emphasizing that such events do not reflect their values.
Conclusion
The alarming racial hate incidents experienced by the University of Utah women’s basketball team during the NCAA Tournament in Spokane is a stark reminder that despite the progressive nature of collegiate environments, racism does rear its ugly head. The swift actions taken by the NCAA and Gonzaga University to ensure the safety and welfare of the participants are commendable. However, the unfortunate events highlight the continuous need to address and fight against racism in all spheres, including sports.