OMAHA, Neb. — Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee on Tuesday condemned the use of racially offensive language directed at some of the parents of the Commodores players during Game 1 of the College World Series finals.
“I am deeply troubled that some of our student-athlete parents were subjected to racist slurs during last night’s game,” Storey Lee tweeted. “This is absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful behavior, and such hateful language has no place anywhere in our society.”
I am deeply troubled that some of our student-athlete parents were subjected to racist slurs during last night’s game. This is absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful behavior, and such hateful language has no place anywhere in our society.
— Candice Storey Lee (@VandyAD) June 29, 2021
Vanderbilt is playing Mississippi State in the best-of-three finals. The Commodores won 8-2 Monday, with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday night.
The NCAA said in a statement that racist and abusive language has no place in college sports and is not tolerated at NCAA championships.
“Any parties responsible for unacceptable actions during the games will be removed by stadium security,” the NCAA said.
Kristyna Engdahl, communications director for the agency that operates TD Ameritrade Park, said stadium officials were aware of an interaction between fans that involved the use of racial slurs.
Engdahl said the person or persons who used the offensive language left the stadium once security personnel were notified. She said she didn’t know whether the person or persons left on their own or were ejected.
“We absolutely denounce this behavior and are saddened to learn that it took place in TD Ameritrade Park Omaha,” Engdahl wrote in an email. “Tonight, we will take additional security measures to ensure that everyone may feel safe in our stadium.”
Engdahl said officials were talking to event staff to gather additional information.
“We do stand behind the guests who were subjected to this unacceptable and appalling language, and we’re sincerely sorry for their experience in our stadium,” she wrote.
