Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah women’s basketball team faced a series of racially charged incidents during the NCAA Tournament, leading to the team being forced to change hotels for safety reasons. The team, staying in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho due to a lack of hotel space in Spokane, experienced troubling encounters that left them shaken.
Utah coach Lynne Roberts mentioned that the team encountered several “racial hate crimes,” leading to safety concerns. The incidents occurred after the team arrived in Coeur d’Alene for the tournament, prompting Utah deputy athletics director Charmelle Green, who is Black, to speak out about the details of what transpired.
During a walk to dinner, a group including the team, cheerleaders, and band members were confronted by a truck that revved its engines before racial slurs were hurled at them. The shocking incident left everyone in disbelief, with Green expressing how unsettling the experience was for the entire group.
Upon returning from dinner, the group faced a similar ordeal with two trucks repeating the hateful behavior. Green recalled the intimidation felt from the aggressive engine revving and the derogatory language used, leaving a lasting impact on her and the team.
The presence of far-right extremist groups in the region, as highlighted by the Southern Poverty Law Center, sheds light on the underlying tensions that may have contributed to these distressing encounters. Despite efforts by the NCAA and Gonzaga to relocate the team, the incidents still cast a shadow on what should have been a positive and joyous experience for the players and staff.
The gravity of the situation was not lost on Utah coach Roberts, who emphasized the realness of racism and the impact it had on the team’s morale and performance. The focus shifted from the tournament to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved, as Gonzaga University expressed deep sadness over the compromised experience.
Ultimately, Utah’s tournament journey came to an end with a loss to Gonzaga, but the ramifications of the racial incidents linger. Roberts acknowledged the distraction and negative impact on her team, highlighting the need for a thorough investigation into the events. As the investigation unfolds, the team seeks closure and justice for the unsettling and discriminatory experiences they endured.