Vanderbilt Parents Subjected To Racial Slurs At College World Series Finals — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

During Monday’s College World Series finals game between Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, racial slurs were directed at parents of some of Vanderbilt’s players by people who appeared to be Mississippi State fans.

Clinton Yates, a columnist for The Undefeated, first reported the incident.

look. I’m not gonna write a whole story about this but let me set the scene. Most of the black players’ parents sit together. They ROUTINELY deal with micro to macro aggressions that they basically just wear, bc well, black folks have to do that sometimes.

boiled over tonight

— Clinton Yates (@clintonyates) June 29, 2021

Kristyna Engdahl, Director of Communications for the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority in Omaha, on Tuesday released a statement to local media.

“We understand there was an interaction between fans on Monday night that involved use of racial slurs. We absolutely denounce this behavior and are saddened to learn that it took place in TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Tonight, we will take additional security measures to ensure that everyone may feel safe in our stadium. Also, we are reminding the public that you may text our Guest Services Department for assistance at any time by texting OMAHA [space] your issue and location to 69050.”

Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee tweeted a statement on Monday.

“I am deeply troubled that some of our student-athlete parents were subjected to racist slurs during last night’s game,” Lee said. “This is absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful behavior, and such hateful language has no place anywhere in our society.

“To the family members who were impacted, please know that you have my full support. And you absolutely have the wholehearted support of not only Vanderbilt Athletics but all of Commodore Nation.”

Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen also tweeted a statement on Monday.

“We join Vanderbilt in declaring such behavior unacceptable and in direct conflict with the values of both institutions and our fan bases. The college World Series serves as a celebration of the entire sport of college baseball. Highly inappropriate events must neither be tolerated nor allowed to detract from the on-the-field accomplishments of the student-athletes and their teams who have earned the right to participate on this national stage.”