SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The Utah women’s basketball team faced unsettling challenges during this year’s NCAA Tournament, prompting a change of hotels due to alleged racial hate crimes directed at the program. Head coach Lynne Roberts revealed the distressing incidents after their 77-66 loss to Gonzaga in the tournament’s second round.
While the specifics of the racial hate crimes were not disclosed, Roberts explained that the team encountered troubling situations Thursday night after arriving at their hotel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, near host Gonzaga’s home court. According to reports from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the players were subjected to racial slurs as they walked down the street.
In response to the unsettling events, the team decided to check out of the hotel before their first-round game against South Dakota State. Both the NCAA and Gonzaga collaborated to relocate the team to a new hotel, prioritizing their safety and well-being during the tournament.
Gonzaga’s athletic department released a statement denouncing hate speech in any form and expressing disappointment that such incidents overshadowed what should have been a positive and celebratory experience for the visiting team. Roberts described the incidents as distressing and unfortunate, underscoring the impact it had on her players and their sense of safety.
Roberts emphasized the importance of addressing such issues, acknowledging that incidents like these are not uncommon but are not often discussed openly. The team’s resilience in the face of adversity and their determination to continue competing highlighted their unity and strength in navigating challenging circumstances.
As the tournament progresses, the Utah women’s basketball team’s experience serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to uphold values of respect, inclusivity, and safety in sports and society at large. The support and collaboration between different organizations to ensure the team’s well-being underscore the collective effort to address and combat instances of discrimination and intolerance.