UCF to channel $100,000 Big 12 fine into student programs after BYU game chants

The Big 12 Conference levied a $100,000 fine against the University of Central Florida.

The penalty follows incidents during a football game against BYU last Saturday where fans directed chants at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The league announced the sanction on Wednesday. It specified that the funds will support student education initiatives. BYU serves as the flagship school for the church.

Video shared on social media captured UCF supporters shouting a derogatory phrase at the church before the game began. University security staff removed several fans from the stadium. UCF defeated BYU in overtime despite the on-field disruption.

The conference introduced a new policy with escalating penalties for discriminatory conduct. The league stated that such behavior has no place in its schools. A first confirmed incident triggers an automatic minimum fine of $100,000 and a formal warning. If a second incident occurs during the same event, the school faces an in-game penalty. In football, this appears as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. In basketball, it results in a two-shot technical foul. A fine of $500,000 may also apply for the second offense. Ejected fans are banned from athletic events for the remainder of the school year. They may also face discipline under university conduct policies.

Athletics spokesman Adam Widman said UCF is reviewing its options. He noted that the university became aware of the conference decision on Wednesday night. "After becoming aware of the conference's decision, we will be reviewing our options," Widman said in an email.

This is the latest in a series of penalties involving Big 12 schools and BYU. Colorado State apologized in September after fans aimed similar chants at the team and the church. The Big 12 fined Oklahoma State $50,000 in February over chants at a men's basketball game against BYU. Colorado received a $50,000 fine a year prior for similar behavior at a football game. Comparable incidents occurred at an Arizona men's basketball game in the 2024-25 season and a Cincinnati football game in November 2025. Neither of those schools was fined.

No. 8 BYU enters Saturday's game against Arizona State with a 6-1 overall record and a 3-1 conference mark. Arizona State holds a 4-3 overall record and a 2-2 conference mark. BYU then travels to face No. 6 Utah on Nov. 7. Utah is currently 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference.