Feb 4, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams assistant coach Aaron Katsuma (L) and head coach Niko Medved (R) look on in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Moby Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports Feb 4, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams assistant coach Aaron Katsuma (L) and head coach Niko Medved (R) look on in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Moby Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah State Aggies defeated the Colorado State Rams, 88-79, on Saturday night to advance to 19-5 on the season.

However, the game was marred by a horrific chant of “Russia” from the hometown crowd aimed at a Ukrainian student-athlete on the Aggies.

The statement, in full:

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.

On behalf of Colorado State, we apologize to the student-athlete and Utah State.  This is a violation of our steadfast belief in the Mountain West Sportsmanship Policy and University Principles of Community.

Every participant, student, and fan should feel welcomed in our venues, and for something like this to have occurred is unacceptable at Colorado State.

The college football was quick to react to the disgusting chant:

“As a CSU alum, this isn’t who most of us are. Democracy and dignity beats amateur sports every time. I know the RamNation apologizes. And I hope those students take this as a learning experience,” one fan wrote.

“The Ukraine”….unm that is what they were called until 1991 but many…unfortunately only Russia still calls em that,” one fan wrote.

“Rare example of not saying anything at all would’ve been a better move,” one fan said.

“What would you even gain from doing this? Making him feel really really bad?” asked another fan.

“This is ridiculous and completely unacceptable,” said Big Game Boomer.

Only time will tell if this will end the horrible saga.