Colorado State University has apologized after student spectators directed a proRussian chant at a Ukrainian student at a Saturday night basketball match.
Officials stated in a tweet that they had learned that a group of students in our student section shouted “Russia” at a Utah State student-athlete who was from Ukraine.
In a follow up tweet, the school stated that “on behalf of Colorado State we apologize to the student athlete and Utah State.”
The tweet thread concluded that “Every student, participant, and fan should feel welcome in our venues.”
Representatives from Colorado State didn’t immediately respond to a question about whether students involved in the chant were identified or disciplined.
Although the university did not name the student targeted, NBC affiliate KSL in Salt Lake City reported Utah State junior guard Max Shulga was the target. The chant occurred as he attempted free throws at the end of the game.
Shulga was born in Kiev, Ukraine. He attended high school in Spain according his official biography.
KSL reported last that Shulga’s relatives still reside in Kiev and that he draped an Ukrainian flag over his head at the beginning of the first game after the Russian invasion Ukraine. Students from Utah State also displayed yellow and blue paper that resembled the Ukrainian flag at that game.
According to a United Nations investigation , the war has lasted a year and resulted in the deaths of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
Representatives from Utah State didn’t immediately respond to emails asking about the incident.
The Saturday night game between the Utah Aggies and the Colorado Rams was won by the Utah Aggies 88-79.
