B.Y.U. Says It Found No Evidence of Racial Slurs at Volleyball Match

“Despite being unable to find supporting evidence of racial slurs in the many recordings and interviews,” the school’s statement said, “we hope that all those involved will understand our sincere efforts to ensure that all student-athletes competing at B.Y.U. feel safe,.”

B.Y.U. said it would no longer bar attendance by the fan who was first identified by Duke as having used racial slurs during the match because no evidence could be found that the person actually used them. “B.Y.U. sincerely apologizes to that fan for any hardship the ban has caused,” the statement said.

In the statement from Duke, Nina King, the university’s vice president and director of athletics, said that the school stood by the women’s volleyball team, but she did not address the university’s role in the investigation or who might have been interviewed by B.Y.U.

“The 18 members of the Duke University volleyball team are exceptionally strong women who represent themselves, their families and Duke University with the utmost integrity,” King said. “We unequivocally stand with and champion them, especially when their character is called into question. Duke Athletics believes in respect, equality and inclusiveness, and we do not tolerate hate and bias.”

After the allegations were made during the game, a police officer was placed on Duke’s bench for the remainder of the match. Duke also changed the venue of a later tournament game from B.Y.U.’S George Albert Smith Fieldhouse to a location in Provo, Utah, in an effort to create a safer atmosphere for both teams.

Later that week, Dawn Staley, the coach of the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team, said she was canceling scheduled games against B.Y.U. this season, including the season opener on Nov. 7, because of the behavior described at the volleyball game.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/09/sports/byu-racial-slur-duke-volleyball.html