Kentucky athletic director permanently bans fan who yelled racial slur at Tennessee fan
University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart tweeted on Thursday that they have “permanently revoked ticket privileges” to all Wildcats sporting events for the fan who was caught on video yelling a racial slur in response to taunts from a Tennessee fan at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night.
The female fan has since apologized.
We have permanently revoked ticket privileges for all UK Athletics events from the person who made the abusive remark at Tuesday night’s game, effective immediately. This misconduct is unacceptable, unwelcome at the University of Kentucky and not reflective of our values.
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) March 5, 2020
Barnhart also tweeted that the fan in question is not a season-ticket holder, and that the recipient of the slur had received a personal apology.
We also have reached out to the patron who was the victim of this abusive and inexcusable language to apologize personally. That’s not who we are as an athletics department.
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) March 5, 2020
The incident occurred in the wake of Tennessee’s road upset of No. 6 Kentucky, which blew a 17-point lead in the second-half against the Volunteers.
In the video, the fan can be seen exchanging words with a Tennessee fan as she walks up the Rupp Arena steps. After the Tennessee fan yelled “Why are you leaving?” the Kentucky fan responded by stopping and yelling the slur and walking away. There is a second video of the incident as well.
After the video was posted, a woman identifying herself as Ashley Lyles reached out to Lex18 and issued the following statement:
“My reaction after the game was unacceptable, period. It was against all values of the University and state of Kentucky. I humbly apologize to the individuals at which my words were directed," writes Lyles, "My words were hurtful and hateful and have no place in this world. I apologize to the University and state of Kentucky for the embarrassment I have caused. I want my apology not just to be in words, but in actions moving forward.”
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