FORT COLLINS — Colorado State University has issued an apology to a Utah State basketball player following their contest on Saturday night.
Ukrainian guard Max Shulga was peppered with "Russia" chants while shooting late-game free throws.
Shulga -- who is from Kyiv, Ukraine, where his family still resides -- was 3-for-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to help the Aggies to an 88-79 win.
CSU offered the following series of tweets apologizing for the incident.
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 Rams 🐏 (@CSURams) February 5, 2023
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.
— Colorado State Rams 🐏 (@CSURams) February 5, 2023
Every participant, student, and fan should feel welcomed in our venues, and for something like this to have occurred is unacceptable at Colorado State.
— Colorado State Rams 🐏 (@CSURams) February 5, 2023
Shulga issued a statement on Sunday afternoon accepting the apology.
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