Chadron State fined for racially-insensitive comments made during a home softball game

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has fined Chadron State College for behavior by a student athlete who was attending a softball game against New Mexico Highlands University last month.

In an archived broadcast from the game on Feb. 23, a Chadron State student athlete can be heard shouting, “I just got my green card.” The comment in the bottom of the sixth inning prompted the home plate umpire to say something to the home crowd during a stoppage of play.

In a Facebook post, a New Mexico Highlands patron in attendance said there were other comments, including fans shouting "immigrant" and chanting "U-S-A." The chant can also be heard on the broadcast.

No one was removed from the game.

The RMAC said in a statement, “an individual at the game directed a disparaging comment toward the New Mexico Highlands team referencing ethnicity or national origin."

Many of the women listed on New Mexico Highlands’ softball roster are Hispanic.

“Such comments are unacceptable, and both the RMAC and CSC strongly condemn them," the statement said. "Chadron State’s administration worked cooperatively with the RMAC to investigate the incident and the individual and others involved were identified. Due to their status as student-athletes, those individuals will receive appropriate sanctions. Chadron State athletics has received a reprimand and monetary fine and has also committed to providing additional education to all its student-athletes.”

The RMAC did not report a specific amount the school was fined and declined to share specifics on how the student athlete was sanctioned, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Chadron State shared the following statement with Nebraska Public Media last Tuesday.

“Chadron State College is cooperating fully with the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and New Mexico Highlands regarding this sportsmanship review. CSC remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for students and spectators, and improper behavior is not tolerated."