COEUR D’ ALENE, Idaho – The Utah women’s basketball team has relocated their team after what they call a “racial hate crime” that occurred in Coeur d’Alene.
Head coach Lynne Roberts said her team moved due to safety concerns after the incident.
The report of the racial incident came after Utah fell to the Zags on Monday night, and coach Roberts didn’t go into detail about the incident but gave a statement on her disappointment.
“It was a distraction and upsetting and unfortunate. This should be a positive for everybody involved. This should be a joyous time for our program, and to have kind of a black eye on the experience is unfortunate,” said Roberts.
Gonzaga gave a statement regarding the incident that said, “We are frustrated and deeply saddened to know what should always be an amazing visitor and championship experience was in any way compromised by this situation, for it in no way reflects the values, standards, and beliefs to which we at Gonzaga University hold ourselves accountable.”
Roberts mentioned in the press conference after the game that both the NCAA and Gonzaga worked to help relocate the team and she was grateful for their help and support.
The teams were staying in Couer d’Alene due to a waiver that was in place and because Spokane hotel capacity was limited due to the several men’s teams that also traveled to Spokane.
Three total teams were all staying in Idaho because of the capacity issues.
A press conference to discuss the incident will be held today at the Coeur d’Alene Resort on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
More updates on this developing story will be provided as additional information becomes available.
