Salt Lake City, Utah – The women’s basketball team from the University of Utah found themselves at the center of disturbing events upon their arrival in Idaho for the NCAA Tournament. According to Utah coach Lynne Roberts, the team, composed of Black, white, and Latina athletes, experienced what she described as “racial hate crimes” last week in the Spokane area where they were set to face Gonzaga University.
Roberts expressed her concern about the incidents that took place on Thursday night, prompting the team to request a change of hotels due to safety reasons. While she did not provide specific details about the events, Roberts emphasized the unsettling nature of the occurrences, stating that they left the players and staff feeling unsafe in an environment where they should have felt protected.
As a response to the incidents, the NCAA and Gonzaga, the host school, assisted in relocating the team to a different hotel closer to Spokane. Utah’s deputy athletics director, Charmelle Green, who is Black, recounted a disturbing encounter with individuals in trucks who shouted racial slurs at the team while they were out for dinner in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Despite the unsettling events, the team continued with their plans, only to encounter further instances of racial harassment as they left the restaurant. Gonzaga University officials acknowledged the situation and condemned the hate speech directed towards the visiting athletes and staff members, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved.
The team’s stay in Idaho, instead of Washington, where the tournament games were scheduled to be held, was due to a lack of hotel space in the Spokane area. Utah’s athletic director, Mark Harlan, expressed regret over the circumstance, highlighting the need for a more suitable arrangement for the team.
The incidents in Idaho have cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a positive and competitive experience for the University of Utah’s women’s basketball team. As investigations continue and measures are taken to address the situation, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and security of all participants in the NCAA Tournament.