University of Utah Women’s Basketball Team Faces Racial Harassment During PAC-12 Tournament

The University of Utah women’s basketball team is making headlines this March Madness, but not for their performance on the court. While staying in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for the PAC-12 Women’s Tournament, the team faced racial harassment that has sparked outrage and condemnation.

During a dinner outing, the team was targeted by individuals who revved their engine and yelled racial slurs at them. Later that night, two trucks approached them outside a restaurant, once again hurling racial slurs. The team, already feeling unsafe in a town known for its association with hate groups, was left shaken by the incidents.

Coach Lynne Roberts, a white woman, expressed her disgust at the situation, emphasizing that racism is real and unacceptable. Local authorities are now investigating the incidents, with calls for the perpetrators to be prosecuted for their hateful actions.

This incident is not an isolated one in the world of NCAA women’s basketball. LSU star Angel Reese has also faced death threats and attacks since rising to fame after winning a championship last year.

In response to the harassment, the NCAA has relocated the University of Utah team to a different hotel closer to the tournament venue, ensuring their safety and well-being. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by athletes of color in the sports world.