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The Colorado State athletic department is in a bit of hot water on social media. An incident at a recent basketball game has led to bad press.
Fans are reacting to both inappropriate action from the student base, as well as the school’s response.
In a matchup against Utah State, the students section began shouting offensive chants at an Aggie player. Max Shulga, a junior guard on the Utah State basketball team, is originally from Kyiv, Ukraine.
A group of Colorado State fans began yelling, “Russia” at Shulga.
Ukraine currently finds itself at war with Russia. Russia invaded the country in an attempt to take over. One could see why the chants from Colorado State students would be considered insulting.
After the game, the Rams’ athletic department did its best apologize. Unfortunately, it failed miserably.
Following tonight’s basketball game, we became aware that a small group of individuals in our student section chanted “Russia” at a student-athlete from Utah State, who is from the Ukraine.
Colorado State’s using the term “The Ukraine” is what has the attention of folks online.
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) February 5, 2023
One fan wrote, “The Ukraine, SMH,” while another said, “Uh, ‘The Ukraine’ is incorrect. It’s just ‘Ukraine.’ Russia calls it ‘The Ukraine’ in reference to it being a territory and not a sovereign country.”
As that last fan notes, “The Ukraine” is no longer the correct usage. Here’s the thought behind that change from Time magazine.
“Ukraine is a country… The Ukraine is the way the Russians referred to that part of the country during Soviet times … Now that it is a country, a nation, and a recognized state, it is just Ukraine. And it is incorrect to refer to the Ukraine, even though a lot of people do it.”
Tough look for the Rams.
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