Duke volleyball player racially abused at game gets support from athletes including LeBron James

A racist incident that occurred at a college women’s volleyball tournament has sparked criticism aimed at coaches and administrators while support for an athlete targeted is spread across social media.

During a match between Duke University and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah on Friday evening, a fan repeatedly used a racial epithet for Black people aimed Duke’s Rachel Richardson, the only Black woman starting on the team. Richardson is one of three Black players on the team.

Those present at the incident say the fan yelled the slur and threatened Richardson every time she went to serve the ball.

The match was not stopped and the fan was not removed from the match. After the match, the fan was identified and BYU’s athletics department says the fan has been banned from all school athletic facilities and matches. 

Another match set to take place between Duke and Rider University at the same site was moved due to that day’s events. 

Richardson posted a statement on her Twitter account giving her record of the events.

‘The slurs and comments grew into threats which caused us to feel unsafe. Both the officials and BYU coaching staff were made aware of the incident during the game, but failed to take the necessary steps to stop the unacceptable behavior and create a safe environment,’ Richardson’s statement read.

‘As a result, my teammates and I had to struggle just to get through the rest of the game, instead of just being able to focus on our playing so that we could compete at the highest level possible.

‘It is neither my nor Duke Volleyball’s goal to call BYU’s athletics out but rather to call them up. This is not the first time this has happened in college athletics and sadly it likely will not be the last time. 

‘However, each time it happens we as student athletes, coaches, fans, and administrators have a chance to educate those who act in hateful ways.

‘Although the heckling eventually took a mental toll on me, I refused to allow it to stop me from doing what I love to do and what I came to BYU to do; which was to play volleyball. I refused to allow those racist bigots to feel any degree of satisfaction from thinking that their comments had “gotten to me.” So, I pushed through and finished the game.’

According to a statement from BYU Athletics, the fan was sitting in the student section, but is not a student at the university. 

‘All of God’s children deserve love and respect, and BYU Athletics is completely committed to leading out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice of any kind and rooting out racism,’ the statement said. 

‘To say we are extremely disheartened in the actions of a small number of fans in last night’s volleyball match in the Smith Fieldhouse between BYU and Duke is not strong enough language. We will not tolerate behavior of this kind.

‘Specifically the use of a racial slur at any of our athletic events is absolutely unacceptable and BYU athletics holds a zero-tolerance approach to this behavior.’

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe addressed the student section once again before the tournament continued in Provo on Saturday. 

‘I’m the athletic director and I’m accountable for what happens in all our athletic events. And with that in mind, the process to get better and to heal has already begun. 

‘I want you to know that this morning I visited with the young athlete on Duke’s team and her coach. If you would have met her, you would have loved her. But you don’t know her and so you don’t feel that way. 

‘As children of God, we are responsible. It’s our mission to love one another and treat everybody with respect. And that didn’t happen. We fell very short.’

Duke provided a statement of their own regarding the situation, with the school’s athletic director Nina King addressing the movement of the match, saying, ‘First and foremost, our priority is the well-being of Duke student-athletes.’

‘They should always have the opportunity to compete in an inclusive, anti-racist environment which promotes equality and fair play.

‘I have been in touch with the student-athletes who have been deeply impacted, will continue to support them in every way possible and look forward to connecting further upon their return from Provo.’

Support for Richardson has made its way across social media, including from NBA superstar LeBron James. 

Responding to a tweet made by Richardson’s godmother, James tweeted, ‘you tell your Goddaughter to stand tall, be proud and continue to be BLACK!!! We are a brotherhood and sisterhood! We have her back. This is not sports. #striveforgreatness #morethanavollyballplayer (sic)’ 

Other Black athletes commented on the issue offering support; including former NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas, WNBA legends Sheryl Swoopes and Swin Cash, WWE star Titus O’Neil and USA Volleyball Olympic Gold Medalist Chiaka Ogbogu.