On Sunday, University of Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois was forced to issue an apology for an anti-Mormon chant from the student section after their team was beaten by BYU 96-65.
Arizona fans chanted “F*** the Mormons” at the basketball game tonight.
BYU beat Arizona 96-95pic.twitter.com/RForpflcr3
— The Cougar Chronicle (@TheCougChron) February 23, 2025
The video clearly shows the chant coming primarily from the University of Arizona’s home court student section, leaving critics to raise concerns about the growing bigotry against the faithful on U.S. campuses.
“The incident happened postgame following a brief handshake line brawl between the Wildcats and Cougars, when Arizona fans shouted a derogatory statement — which consisted of an expletive followed by “Mormons” — toward BYU players as they left the court,” according to the Arizona Republic.
Statement from Vice President and Director of Athletics, Desireé Reed-Francois:
Following tonight’s men’s basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred.
On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The chant is not reflective of who we are and should not have happened.
Critics say not so fast; it is reflective of the anti-faith bias found on taxpayer-funded campuses across the country.
Arizona State University philosophy professor Dr. Owen Anderson asked in the Arizona Daily Independent in 2023 “Can an Evangelical be a Scholar at ASU West?”
According to Anderson, his colleagues showed a clear anti-religious bias. “A public university needs to remain politically and ideologically neutral. That includes not allowing its faculty members to use ASU resources to push personal political opinions. And yet here in my school, during a faculty meeting, a colleague said of GCU (Grand Canyon University) professors, “they aren’t scholars, they are Evangelicals.” I was stunned since I am an Evangelical and a scholar. This colleague insulted an entire religion. They knew the bias of the faculty meeting meant they would not be held to account in any way.”
The bias doesn’t end with faculty or students.
GCU, a private Christian university, came under attack repeatedly during the Biden administration.
Despite GCU’s nonprofit approvals from the State of Arizona, the Internal Revenue Service, the Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education and the Higher Learning Commission, the Biden administration’s Department of Education refused to recognize the University’s lawful nonprofit status going back to 2019.
Finally in November 2024 after years of harassment, in a 3-0 decision, the Ninth Circuit held that the Department of Education exceeded the authority granted to it under the Higher Education Act in its unprecedented decision against GCU.
If UofA students and the community have to listen to the horrible things Brother Dean shouts on the mall on a regular basis, with the justification that it’s good for them to learn to deal with challenging opinions, why are they being forced to apologize for this?
Stopped attending and watching any UA sports years ago. Maybe due to their lack of competitiveness, the games are fueled by indiscriminate HATE from the fans. Certainly no place for children.
I also hung up the shirt and hat – because its become a gaming program – place your bets – has nothing to do with education – its about Jr Pro Sports – and gambling – as a source of ‘MONEY’ nothing more nothing less. Oh does the student get a shot at pro sports – some – and the others? That’s what the education is about.. the total body, mind, spirit education not now available – so this Knot Hole Gang Member has hung up is memebership
on reading all posted comments – there’s much to agree with. I’m Christian – Jesus being my Lord God Savior. The Mormons very industrious – will take my work and job in a heart beat to employee their clan – the Universities are breeding grounds of ‘anti-christian’ thought and ethic – just look at the treatment of the Jewish students in the recent war.. GCU – great fiscal management, education, ethic – welcome to the program? TRUE of FALSE? Yet the Az State Gov is on them about funding – even if its not theirs… ??? Huh???
Its really academic – we live in the end times – its what we are watching… oh and the EU will give its power to Russia – China – Iran and others to ‘destroy the USA’ aka as ‘mystery babblyon’ coming soon.
I can’t believe I even read that comment!
Mormons are some of the most hateful and exclusive people out there. There history is violent and they shouldn’t be defended.
Not nearly as violent and hate fueled as 90% of UA staff and students.
Study history my man.
Eliminate the Department of Education. This hatred and discrimination are the result of the commie leftists sinking their poisonous ideology into children across the country.
As I posted a couple of days ago, both ASU and Uof A are liberal cesspools of hate and bigotry against others that don’t share their marxist theories and hate for all things that are normal and good. As long as both presidents allow the inmates to run the asylum, nothing will change and I don’t see a strong leader at either place. So, they will stay the same crap holes that they already are. What a great use of state taxpayer monies.
UA is a breeding ground and indoctrination center for hate, racism, communism and destruction of American values. Parents, get your children out of public schools, especially K-12 in Tucson/Pima County and the three universities.
The UofA can go pound sand and should be fined!