- Oklahoma State fined $50,000 for chants against Latter-day Saints during BYU game.
- The Big 12 cited sportsmanship violations, emphasizing zero tolerance for targeted behavior.
- Oklahoma State president apologized, pledging to uphold respect and dignity standards.
PROVO — Another Big 12 opponent has been reprimanded after an investigation into chants directed at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a game against BYU.
The conference announced Sunday that Oklahoma State has been fined $50,000 for a violation of the Big 12's principles and standards of sportsmanship following what it deemed to be inappropriate chants referencing the Cougars' sponsoring faith.
BYU coach Kevin Young said after BYU's 99-92 loss to the Cowboys that some home fans inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma, used the phrase "(expletive) the Mormons" several times during the game. Audio captured by Fox Sports 1 also seemed to pick up at least one instance of the chant, though several students and fans disputed the accusation.
"The Big 12 Conference will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others," the conference said in a statement announcing the fine.
Young concluded his postgame media availability with a plea to end the expletive-laced speech, which athletic director Brian Santiago called "hateful" and "unacceptable' in an interview with the Associated Press.
"There's just too much hate in the world to be saying stuff like that," said Young, who congratulated Oklahoma State on the win and repeatedly answered questions about his team's shooting and defense in the loss. "We've got enough problems in our world without going at people's religion and beliefs, whether it's in vogue or not."
Statement from the Big 12 Conferencehttps://t.co/zFXfFoB8XF
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 8, 2026
It's at least the fourth time in the last year a BYU athletic team has been the subject of the derogatory chant in an opponent's venue. Colorado was fined $50,000 and publicly reprimanded after the conference found some students used the chant during BYU football's 25-21 win in Boulder last fall, and Arizona athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois apologized after some Wildcats fans also used the chant.
Oklahoma State president Jim Hess apologized to BYU in a statement Thursday, saying that any behavior that targets or demeans another group has no place at his school.
"The Cowboy Code calls us to treat others with respect and dignity, and we are reviewing what occurred and will address any violations of our standards of conduct appropriately," Hess said. "Oklahoma State University values the relationship we have with BYU and deeply respects their community and their faith. I have reached out to BYU leadership directly to express our commitment to upholding the standards we expect from our community. We will continue to work with our students and fans to ensure that the atmosphere at our events reflects the values of the Cowboy family."
Young's first experience with the chant likely came when Providence's student section hurled it during a nonconference game last year, and fans from Stanford to Oregon in 2022 and USC before that have also used the term.
BYU, which is currently on a four-game losing skid following Saturday night's 77-66 loss to No. 8 Houston, continues Big 12 play Tuesday at Baylor.
