DENVER (KDVR) — The University of Colorado Boulder is adding new procedures to its football games after fans shouted “expletives and religious slurs” in the stands during a home game against Brigham Young University.
The game took place on Sept. 27, and the Buffaloes lost 24-21 to the private religious university’s team. Still, fans’ conduct during the game led to CU’s chancellor and athletic director releasing a joint statement condemning the actions taken, as well as a public apology from Coach Deion Sanders during his weekly press conference.
On the same day, the Big 12 Conference admonished the school for “inappropriate chants” that were described as “hateful and discriminatory language,” and leveled a $50,000 fine against CU.
On Monday, the school announced the Athletics Department was implementing changes starting with the game against Iowa State scheduled for Oct. 11.
“After working closely with our campus partners with the Division of Student Life and the Division of Public Safety, we have collaboratively developed these new procedures which allow us to be more proactive when it comes to addressing fan behavior during home football games,” CU Athletics told FOX31. “These new procedures also illustrate how seriously we are taking the issue of fan behavior and how committed we are to ensuring that every visitor to our campus feels welcome, safe, and respected.”
The changes include streamlining communication between fans and stadium personnel by providing a number for fans to text. The number to reach the Folsom Field Text for Assistance Line is 720-812-1769, and can be used to report “any issue,” the university stressed.
The school and athletics department are adding more security personnel both inside and outside the stadium, including in the student section. In addition, undercover police officers will be embedded in various stadium sections throughout, “for immediate removals,” according to the university.
CU also promised an increase in security response teams throughout the stadium and the installation of “new technology to proactively monitor behavior throughout the stadium.” When FOX31’s Nate Belt asked for clarity on that, the school said it did not want to go into detail to “preserve the integrity of what we’re doing.”
The university warned that any violations of the CU fan code of conduct will lead to immediate removal and “possible loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the season.”
“Disruptive behavior, including foul, abusive, obscene or discriminatory language or gestures, as well as throwing items, will result in immediate removal from the stadium,” the university said. “This can include entire rows or even sections if the disruptive behavior persists.”
The university previously said it planned to have new procedures in place for the Oct. 11 game, and this is not the first time the school has made new rules to ensure fan behavior is acceptable during and after games.
BYU Athletics made one statement, on Sept. 29, on its social media about Colorado fans’ behavior during the game.
“We denounce all forms of religious discrimination & appreciate @CUBoulder’s example in rooting out these inappropriate actions,” the BYU Cougars said. “We invite all to showcase their fandom with enthusiasm & respect.”
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