Illinois State issued an apology to Norfolk State on Sunday, one day after a Redbirds fan yelled a racial slur toward a visiting player during the Spartans’ 64–58 victory in Normal, Ill.
According to video from ESPN+, an Illinois State fan directed the n-word toward Norfolk State guard Jamarii Thomas, resulting in a heated face-to-face argument between Spartans coach Robert Jones and Redbirds coach Ryan Pedon near the scorer’s table at Horton Field House. Officials assessed both coaches technical fouls and ejected the fan from the game.
Illinois State media relations director Eric Jome apologized in a statement, saying the use of “racial slurs and other offensive language targeting people for their identity is abhorrent and is not tolerated” at the university.
