Photo: Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via APUkrainian basketball playerMax Shulgawas met with unsettling chants during a game between theUtah State Aggiesand theColorado State Rams.The 20-year-old junior at Utah State was standing at the free-throw line during the final minute of Saturday’s game when the chants broke out.According toThe Washington Post,fans seated in Colorado State’s student section began chanting “Russia” repeatedly, likely to distract Shulga from scoring at the line while Utah State was up 83-77 on the home team.The Utah State guard later said the chants taunting him with the name of the country that invaded Ukraine were “disappointing” and “extremely upsetting.“Shortly after the game,the Colorado State Rams released a statementregarding the taunts via Twitter. The team said they “became aware” of the chants after the game, per the team’s post. “On behalf of Colorado State, we apologize to the student-athlete and Utah State. This is a violation of our steadfast belief in the Mountain West Sportsmanship Policy and University Principles of Community.“The team also said that “something like this” from its students is “unacceptable at Colorado State.“An additional apology came fromColorado State Rams' basketball coach Niko Medved. “I have so much respect for@USUBasketballand Max Shulga,” Medved tweeted. “We have amazing fans and students but this is not acceptable! My sincere apologies.“Steve Marcus/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Shulga released a statement in response to Medved and the Rams' statements, thanking Colorado State for their “immediate support and understanding” after the incident.“This has been an extremely difficult and challenging year with my family and loved ones so far away and living in constant danger,” Shulga said. “I pray daily for the conflict to come to a close and for peace to be restored for my people in Ukraine.“The Utah State basketball player said that the chants were “extremely upsetting in the moment,” but he understands that “emotions can run high during competition.“Shulga’s statement also said that he accepts and appreciates Colorado State’s apology. “I hope you will all join me in praying for peace in Ukraine,” he added.
Photo: Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP
Ukrainian basketball playerMax Shulgawas met with unsettling chants during a game between theUtah State Aggiesand theColorado State Rams.The 20-year-old junior at Utah State was standing at the free-throw line during the final minute of Saturday’s game when the chants broke out.According toThe Washington Post,fans seated in Colorado State’s student section began chanting “Russia” repeatedly, likely to distract Shulga from scoring at the line while Utah State was up 83-77 on the home team.The Utah State guard later said the chants taunting him with the name of the country that invaded Ukraine were “disappointing” and “extremely upsetting.“Shortly after the game,the Colorado State Rams released a statementregarding the taunts via Twitter. The team said they “became aware” of the chants after the game, per the team’s post. “On behalf of Colorado State, we apologize to the student-athlete and Utah State. This is a violation of our steadfast belief in the Mountain West Sportsmanship Policy and University Principles of Community.“The team also said that “something like this” from its students is “unacceptable at Colorado State.“An additional apology came fromColorado State Rams' basketball coach Niko Medved. “I have so much respect for@USUBasketballand Max Shulga,” Medved tweeted. “We have amazing fans and students but this is not acceptable! My sincere apologies.“Steve Marcus/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Shulga released a statement in response to Medved and the Rams' statements, thanking Colorado State for their “immediate support and understanding” after the incident.“This has been an extremely difficult and challenging year with my family and loved ones so far away and living in constant danger,” Shulga said. “I pray daily for the conflict to come to a close and for peace to be restored for my people in Ukraine.“The Utah State basketball player said that the chants were “extremely upsetting in the moment,” but he understands that “emotions can run high during competition.“Shulga’s statement also said that he accepts and appreciates Colorado State’s apology. “I hope you will all join me in praying for peace in Ukraine,” he added.
Ukrainian basketball playerMax Shulgawas met with unsettling chants during a game between theUtah State Aggiesand theColorado State Rams.
The 20-year-old junior at Utah State was standing at the free-throw line during the final minute of Saturday’s game when the chants broke out.
According toThe Washington Post,fans seated in Colorado State’s student section began chanting “Russia” repeatedly, likely to distract Shulga from scoring at the line while Utah State was up 83-77 on the home team.
The Utah State guard later said the chants taunting him with the name of the country that invaded Ukraine were “disappointing” and “extremely upsetting.”
Shortly after the game,the Colorado State Rams released a statementregarding the taunts via Twitter. The team said they “became aware” of the chants after the game, per the team’s post. “On behalf of Colorado State, we apologize to the student-athlete and Utah State. This is a violation of our steadfast belief in the Mountain West Sportsmanship Policy and University Principles of Community.”
The team also said that “something like this” from its students is “unacceptable at Colorado State.”
An additional apology came fromColorado State Rams' basketball coach Niko Medved. “I have so much respect for@USUBasketballand Max Shulga,” Medved tweeted. “We have amazing fans and students but this is not acceptable! My sincere apologies.”
Steve Marcus/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Shulga released a statement in response to Medved and the Rams' statements, thanking Colorado State for their “immediate support and understanding” after the incident.
“This has been an extremely difficult and challenging year with my family and loved ones so far away and living in constant danger,” Shulga said. “I pray daily for the conflict to come to a close and for peace to be restored for my people in Ukraine.”
The Utah State basketball player said that the chants were “extremely upsetting in the moment,” but he understands that “emotions can run high during competition.”
Shulga’s statement also said that he accepts and appreciates Colorado State’s apology. “I hope you will all join me in praying for peace in Ukraine,” he added.
source: people.com
