In a distressing turn of events, the University of Utah's women's basketball team became the victims of a series of racial hate crimes while participating in the NCAA Tournament in Idaho last week. The incidents were severe enough to prompt the team to change hotels for their own safety.

Utah coach Lynne Roberts revealed that her team, consisting of Black, white, and Latina athletes, encountered multiple distressing incidents on Thursday night after arriving in the Spokane area for the tournament, where they were set to face off against Gonzaga University. Although Roberts did not delve into the specifics, she expressed deep concern over the incidents, which led to their request for relocation from their original hotel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to a location closer to Spokane.

Roberts did not provide further comments, nor did the women's athletics department respond immediately when reached out to for comment. However, Utah's deputy athletics director Charmelle Green, who is Black, shared her account of the events with Salt Lake City's KSL News. Green disclosed that while the team, along with band members and cheerleaders, were on their way to a local restaurant, they were accosted by someone in a white truck who revved the engine and shouted racial slurs before speeding away. The shocking incident left the group in disbelief.

Undeterred by the racially motivated attack, the team carried on with their evening. However, as they departed the restaurant, two trucks approached them, with the drivers once again revving their engines and hurling racial slurs towards the group. Green described her emotional response, expressing that she was left feeling numb and even shed tears throughout the night.

Due to a lack of hotel space in the Spokane area, where Gonzaga University is located, the team was situated in Idaho, approximately 35 minutes away. Utah's athletic director Mark Harlan lamented the logistical arrangements, stating that "We should not have been there," in an interview with KSL. The university had chosen to stay in Idaho along with two other teams participating in the tournament.

Gonzaga University officials acknowledged the distressing situation and voiced their support for the targeted student-athletes and their families in a statement shared on social media. The statement condemned all forms of hate speech, emphasizing that it is intolerable and unacceptable. They reassured their commitment to ensuring the safety of all participants and expressed their frustration and sadness over the compromised championship experience.

The NCAA and Gonzaga University promptly worked together to relocate the Utah women's basketball team to a different hotel, ensuring their safety and well-being. As investigations into the racial hate crimes continue, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against racism and the urgent need to address it effectively within communities and sporting events.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about racism and safety within the NCAA tournament environment, highlighting the need for greater solidarity and action against such hatred. The University of Utah's women's basketball team and its supporters remain resilient, united, and determined to rise above these acts of discrimination.