A troubling college football trend has forced the Big 12 to increase punishments for schools who violate the policy. This move by the conference should reignite a significant fan debate.

For a very long time, fans have believed the cost of their ticket entitles them to certain game-day behaviors. Cheering and booing have always been understood as a fan’s right. That understanding needs to change when it involves hate speech.

This week the Big 12 conference addressed growing concerns around fan chants that include hateful language. The policy change comes after multiple violations over the last two years. Most recently involving Central Florida after they defeated then-No. 2 BYU Cougars. 

Last week, the Central Florida Knights defeated the BYU Cougars 39-31. Following a conference review of that game, several chants of “F*** the Mormons” were heard and forced a policy change.

Per the previous policy, UCF was fined $100K after the review of discriminatory behavior. In addition, the conference updated its policy to include harsher penalties. The first confirmed incident will also include a $100K fine. A formal warning will be provided to the program and time will be given for that program to address the fans.

If a second incident is confirmed in the same game, a “competitive penalty” will be assessed. That penalty would include a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball. The second offense would also include an escalated fine of $500K.

Fans found to be guilty of this violation would be ejected and prohibited from any athletic events for the remainder of the calendar year. That fan would also be subject to University fan/student conduct policies.

The Big 12 has had to address this growing concern repeatedly over the last two years. Four instances in football and one in basketball.

Colorado Buffaloes- September 2025:

The student section at the University of Colorado chanted vulgar anti-LDS chants towards the end of the game.

Central Florida Knights- October 2026:

The previously mentioned UCF vs BYU game that forced the policy change

Cincinnati Bearcats- November 2025:

Fans began anti-LDS chants during a game against BYU. That violation led to a public apology from the Cincinnati Athletic Director, but no monetary fine was assessed.

Colorado State Rams- September 2026:

CSU proactively addressed the derogatory fan chants and offered an apology prior to a conference review of the events. Chants like the ones described in the BYU vs UCF game are described by the Big 12 Conference as “religious bigotry."

BYU defines them as “hateful and discriminatory language." In either instance, they should not be permitted. In sports or in any other context.

Following the Colorado State game, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake addressed the growing concern.

“Everyone's human, and I'm not going to dwell on that,” Sitake said. “I know amazing people that are Colorado State fans and alumni, and I'm just going to focus on the beautiful people that are positive. You can't judge the entire fan base on a few, so that's what we're going to focus on. The environment here was awesome, the fans were excited about their team."

While Sitake’s comments were gracious and forgiving, it remained a problem the conference had to address following the fourth football example in two years. The Big 12’s escalated conduct policy was effective immediately as of October 28, 2026.