Statement from President Price on Duke-BYU Volleyball Game

I am outraged by the racist slurs and taunts directed at members of our volleyball team at BYU this weekend. Duke is fully committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment for competition, and we will not tolerate any racism or harassment of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, or fans.

As Vice President and Director of Athletics Nina King noted yesterday, our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of our student-athletes and coaches. I have expressed to Coach Nagel and her team that they have Duke’s and my full support, and we will be working with them in the days and weeks ahead to provide any assistance and resources they may need.

I am grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Duke Volleyball’s players, coaches and staff and am proud to call them members of our university community.  And I call upon all of us— here at Duke and in the wider sports community—to continue our work toward inclusion and stand together against racism and all forms of hate.

Vincent E. Price
President
Duke University