Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark addresses anti-BYU chants, vows conference action

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark revisited recent anti-BYU chants heard at game, calling the behavior unacceptable and pledging that the league will work with its member institutions to address the issue.

While addressing the media before the Big 12 Tournament, Yormark said the conference has “zero tolerance” for hateful language and that education and accountability will be key moving forward.

“Let me start off by saying we have zero tolerance for that,” Yormark said. “I speak to you both as the commissioner of the Big 12 and as someone with high integrity. It’s something that’s very personal to me.”

The chants have largely been traced to student sections during games involving BYU, which joined the Big 12 Conference in 2023. Yormark said addressing the issue requires direct conversations with students and a broader educational effort across campuses.

Here's Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark's full comment on the derogatory chant aimed at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and why he wants it eliminated from his conference 🎥 https://t.co/a6KxIs5E7r pic.twitter.com/3ulCXHe1Ou

The commissioner said he has even discussed the issue at home with his own family.

“I’ve had those conversations with my kids,” Yormark said. “I told them candidly, you’re not coming home if those words ever come out of your mouth. Regardless of what they are, I take it very seriously.”

Yormark added that his perspective comes from personal experience. He said he grew up in a diverse environment and encountered hate during his youth, experiences that continue to influence how he approaches leadership within the conference.

“I’m Jewish. I grew up in a very diverse background,” Yormark said. “I felt hate as a young man and I didn’t like it. I’m here, based on those experiences and in my position, to try to bring about change and change behavior.”

More: Adrian Autry says the quiet part out loud about Syracuse's future

Yormark said he has been in regular communication with BYU president C. Shane Reese and other conference leaders about the issue. He expects the topic to be a major point of discussion during upcoming Big 12 spring meetings.

“We’re going to roll up our sleeves and dig in,” Yormark said. “Our presidents and athletic directors are committed to getting to a better place.”

The Big 12 conference tournament opened on Tuesday. 

More college basketball news:

• Darryn Peterson situation not alarming to NBA teams, ESPN insider says
• AJ Dybantsa makes college basketball history never done by NBA stars
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
• Mike Krzyzewski fights against NCAA Tournament expansion
• Where Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. ranks among John Calipari's best NBA guards