CU increases security, updates fan behavior polices after derogatory chants at BYU game

Folsom Field will see increased security, including undercover guards, to address fan behavior after inappropriate behavior at Sept. 27's game against BYU. (Photo by Zachary Giesenschlag/Sko Buffs Sports)

The University of Colorado Boulder announced new procedures Tuesday to address fan behavior at Folsom Field. The change comes after CU was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 for a derogatory chant and reported harassment from fans during the Sept. 27 football game against Brigham Young University.

In a post on the CU Athletics website, the school announced an increase in security personnel throughout the stadium, including the student section. Additionally, more security response teams will be present, and undercover police officers will be embedded in various sections for immediate removals. 

CU Athletics Spokesman Steve Hurlbert said the school is still working out the costs of the increased personnel, but that it will come out of the athletics budget. The fine and staffing increase come as the department looks for ways to cut costs and bring in new revenue for $20.5 million in student-athlete compensation and higher coaches' salaries. 

The school will also install new technology to monitor behavior throughout the stadium and provide a more streamlined way to connect fans to venue security through its stadium text assistance line. Hurlbert declined to divulge specifics on the technology.  

According to the post, violations of the fan code of conduct will result in immediate removal and a possible loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of a season. The actions could be taken against entire rows or sections if disruptive behavior, including “foul, abusive, obscene or discriminatory language” persists. 

Throughout the BYU game, fans chanted “Fuck the Mormons.” BYU is a religious university sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nearly 98% of the student body identifies as members of the church. While the hostility was directed towards the Cougars, some CU students were left in the crosshairs, facing harassment from fellow fans for their religion.

The day after the incident, CU Chancellor Justin Schwartz and Athletic Director Rick George released a joint apology and condemned the behavior at the game. In his Tuesday media conference, football coach Deion Sanders doubled down.

“That’s not indicative of who we are,” Sanders said. “Our student body, our kids, are phenomenal. So don’t indict us, just based on a group of young kids that probably were intoxicated and high simultaneously. BYU, we love you, we appreciate, and we support you.” 

All the changes will take effect on Oct. 11 when the Buffs take on Iowa State.