Illinois State Investigating Fans' Alleged Use of Racial Slur

Illinois State University is investigating claims that an ISU fan used racial slurs toward a Norfolk State player during the second half of a men's basketball game Saturday night at ISU's Horton Field House.

“The men’s basketball game on Saturday between Illinois State and Norfolk State was regrettably marred by the report of a racial slur directed at a Norfolk State player by an Illinois State fan,” the university said in a statement sent to WEEK-TV in Peoria on Sunday night. “The use of racial slurs and other offensive language targeting people for their identity is abhorrent and is not tolerated by Illinois State University. Among Illinois State’s core values are respect for others, diversity, and inclusion. Illinois State has moved swiftly to investigate the report and will respond appropriately. Illinois State University and Redbird Athletics extend sincere apologies to Norfolk State University, its student-athletes, and its athletics staff for the deep upset caused, and university leaders have personally reached out to colleagues at Norfolk State.”

As reported by WEEK, Norfolk State head coach Robert Jones addressed the incident after the game in a post on X reading, “I’m not letting anybody call my players a racial slur,” continuing, “Those are my kids and I will fight for them. We have come too far in society to be called the N word at [a] college basketball game.”

Video of the incident from the broadcast of the game on ESPN+ shows Norfolk State guard Jamarii Thomas interacting with fans sitting courtside at Horton Field House. The commentators of the game noted that the fans Thomas had been interacting with were ejected from the game in the aftermath of the incident.

The situation continued with Jones walking onto the court during the dead-ball situation to speak with officials and the fan that allegedly used the racial slur toward Thomas, an interaction that can also be seen in the video.

Upon seeing Jones walk farther onto the court, Illinois State head coach Ryan Pedon became visibly upset and started yelling.

“I was upset he was on the floor and I was raising hell with the referees,” Pedon said in his postgame press conference Saturday. “It was never personal towards him”

As Jones walked back to the sideline, he’s told other media outlets that he was trying to explain the situation and that’s when things escalated. The two coaches began screaming at each other and got face-to-face before being separated by game officials, staff and players from both teams. Pedon says he did not know what Jones was trying to say to him during the beginning of the interaction.

In a statement released via the team’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday night, Pedon said, “I reached out this morning to Coach Robert Jones to offer my apology for my reaction during our game last night,” continuing, “I take full responsibility for my actions. I was wrong for allowing the situation to escalate. I expressed to Coach Jones after the game - I absolutely did not hear what he was saying to me. Had I heard Coach Jones, my response would be completely different. This was a misunderstanding in which I reacted to him without understanding the situation, and I own that mistake 100%. I would also like to apologize for any negative reflection my response may have brought to either institution, its student-athletes or basketball programs.”

Norfolk State president Javaune Adams-Gaston and drector of athletics Melody Webb issued the following statement Sunday:

"We are profoundly disappointed at the events that transpired during the men's basketball game yesterday at Illinois State University where racial epithets were shouted at our student-athletes. We are at a critical time in this nation and world as it relates to race relations, and any type of hate speech or language is unacceptable.

"This type of behavior and language has no place in society or in athletic competition. College athletics is rooted in sportsmanship, camaraderie and exhibiting school pride. We appreciate Coach Jones for standing up for our student-athletes, and we commend our student-athletes for exhibiting restraint during a stressful ordeal. Our student-athletes followed in the footsteps of the late Bill Russell and basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during their collegiate careers, and successfully played through racial slurs meant to traumatize and disrupt the team. Our students remained Spartan Strong, but that is not something they should have to overcome during an athletic event in 2023. We are so proud of our team maintaining a competitive game and spectacular performance for a win against Illinois State University.

"We have heard from the president and athletic director of Illinois State University. They have stated the behavior shown to our student-athletes at the Horton Field House is not representative of their institution and they will fully investigate this incident. We acknowledge their apology and look forward to hearing the results of their investigation."