The Cowboys' Wednesday night victory over BYU has been quickly overshadowed by anti-Mormon chants, including "F the Mormons," that echoed through Gallagher-Iba Arena and is now under an official Big 12 investigation
In a battle of a Big 12 men's basketball matchup on Wednesday night, February 4, at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, the Oklahoma State Cowboys pulled off a stunning 99-92 upset over the No. 16-ranked BYU Cougars.
While the victory provided a much-needed boost for OSU's season, the game was overshadowed by reports of derogatory chants from the home student section. Specifically, chants of "F the Mormons" echoed through the arena, targeting BYU's affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Some Oklahoma State fans later claimed on social media that the chant was actually "Ref’s a Mormon," directed at an official, but witnesses, including media members and BYU personnel, confirmed the anti-Mormon version during the contest.
BYU head coach Kevin Young, who is Mormon and a father of four young children, addressed the incident in his postgame press conference with visible disappointment.
"There were some 'F the Mormons' chants tonight by the student section that I heard," Young said. "It was a great win for Oklahoma State University. I think their fans should be proud, but it would be great if some class was warranted."
He highlighted the broader societal implications, noting, "There's just too much hate in the world to be saying stuff like that when we've got enough problems in our world without going after people's religion and beliefs."
Young referenced the personal toll, explaining that his children would inquire about the chants, much like a similar experience during last season's game at Arizona.
He also pointed out that only four or five players on the BYU roster are Mormon, emphasizing the team's diverse representation and the unifying potential of basketball.
The Big 12 Conference swiftly responded, with Commissioner Brett Yormark announcing an investigation on February 5, 2026.
In a statement, Yormark declared, "The Big 12 Conference is aware of and is investigating reports of inappropriate chants that occurred during last night’s BYU-Oklahoma State Men’s Basketball game. All parties have been notified. The Conference has zero tolerance for behavior of this nature and will address the matter in accordance with Big 12 sportsmanship policies."
This echoes the league's recent actions, such as fining the University of Colorado $50,000 and issuing a public reprimand in 2025 for identical "F the Mormons" chants during a football game against BYU at Folsom Field.
Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess also issued a statement, affirming that "behavior targeting or demeaning others has no place at Oklahoma State University." He referenced the institution's "Cowboy Code," which calls for respect and dignity, and noted that the university is reviewing the incident to address any violations.
Hess reached out to BYU leadership to reinforce OSU's commitment to positive relations and respect for their community and faith.
This incident is far from isolated for BYU, which has faced a pattern of anti-Mormon hostility in recent years. Since 2021, schools including USC, Oregon, Providence, and Cincinnati have issued apologies for similar derogatory chants during games against the Cougars.
In the past year alone, this marks at least the fourth occurrence: Arizona apologized after chants during a 2025 basketball loss to BYU in Tucson; Colorado was fined for the football incident; and Cincinnati fans used the same slur in a 2025 football matchup, prompting an apology.
Providence also drew criticism for anti-Mormon chants in a basketball game last season.
These repeated episodes highlight the challenges BYU faces as a faith-affiliated program in a competitive conference, with Young noting that such behavior hurts the sport's role in fostering unity.
Oklahoma State itself is no stranger to controversy over fan behavior.
The last major backlash came in 2014 during a football game against Florida State, when OSU fans displayed a "Trail of Tears" banner mocking the Seminoles' Native American mascot and heritage.
The sign referenced the historical forced relocation of Native American tribes, drawing widespread condemnation for its insensitivity.
That incident sparked national discussions on cultural appropriation and respect in college athletics, leading to apologies and calls for better fan education at OSU.
Beyond BYU and OSU, derogatory chants have plagued other schools and teams across college sports.
For instance, Notre Dame, with its Catholic roots, has endured anti-Catholic slurs like "F the Catholics" or "Pope sucks" from rival fans during football games against teams like USC or Michigan.
Native American-themed mascots have also been flashpoints: Florida State fans have faced "Scalp 'em" chants from opponents, while the former Washington Redskins (now Commanders) controversy spilled into college with teams like Illinois drawing heat for similar racial insensitivities.
In basketball, Duke's Cameron Crazies have been criticized for personal attacks on players, such as chants mocking family tragedies or personal lives.
More recently, in 2023, Texas Tech fans chanted racial slurs at a visiting team, prompting Big 12 intervention.
As the Big 12's investigation unfolds, this serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in promoting inclusive environments.
While the on court action thrilled fans, with Cowboy fans storming the court in celebration, the off court discord and media news flare detract from the overall feeling of the Cowboys upset.