UCF's $100,000 Fine Funds New Student Education Efforts After Mormon Chants

UCF will pay a $100,000 fine to the Big 12 Conference following derogatory chants aimed at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The league announced the penalty on Wednesday. The money will fund student education initiatives.

The incident occurred during Saturday's football game against BYU. Video on social media captured UCF fans chanting "(expletive) the Mormons!" before kickoff. University security removed some spectators from the stadium. UCF won the game in overtime.

The Big 12 introduced a conference-wide policy for discriminatory conduct alongside the fine. A first confirmed incident now triggers an automatic minimum fine of $100,000 and a warning. If a second incident occurs at the same game, the school faces an in-game penalty. Football teams could receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, while basketball teams could face a two-shot technical foul. The league may also impose a fine of up to $500,000.

Fans ejected for this behavior are barred from athletic events for the remainder of the school year. They may also face discipline under university fan or student conduct policies. The conference stated that discriminatory conduct has no place in the Big 12.

UCF is reviewing its options regarding the decision. Athletics spokesman Adam Widman said the university will be reviewing its options in an email Wednesday night.

This is the latest in a series of penalties involving Big 12 schools and BYU. Colorado State apologized in September after fans directed similar chants at the team. In February, the Big 12 fined Oklahoma State $50,000 for inappropriate chants at a men's basketball game. Colorado received a $50,000 fine a year earlier 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 school was fined. No. 8 BYU, which is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play, hosts Arizona State this Saturday. The Cougars then travel to face No. 6 Utah in the Holy War rivalry game on Nov. 7.