UCF Pays $100,000 Fine After BYU Chants Spark Big 12 Policy Change

The Big 12 Conference fined UCF $100,000 on Wednesday for fan behavior during last Saturday's football game against BYU. The penalty stems from derogatory chants directed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. UCF won the contest in overtime.

The league announced that the fine will go toward student education initiatives. The conference also unveiled a new policy for discriminatory conduct at athletic events. This policy carries escalating consequences for teams that repeat offenses.

Video posted on social media showed UCF fans chanting a profanity followed by "the Mormons" before kickoff. University security removed several fans from the stadium. UCF athletics spokesman Adam Widman said the team is reviewing its options regarding the fine.

Under the new Big 12 rules, a first confirmed incident triggers an automatic minimum $100,000 fine and a warning. A second incident at the same game results in an in-game penalty. For football, that means a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. In basketball, it is a two-shot technical foul. A second incident can also trigger a $500,000 fine.

Fans ejected for such conduct are banned from attending athletic events for the rest of the school year. They remain subject to university conduct policies. This is the latest fine against a Big 12 school over fan treatment of BYU.

Oklahoma State paid $50,000 in February for similar chants during a men's basketball game. Colorado paid a $50,000 fine a year ago for a football game. Colorado State apologized in September after fans targeted BYU. Similar incidents occurred at Arizona and Cincinnati, but neither school was fined.

BYU, currently ranked No. 8, hosts Arizona State on Saturday. The Cougars play at No. 6 Utah in the Holy War rivalry game on Nov. 7.