Student Conduct in McCarthey Arena

February 5, 2024

Dear Students and GU Community Members:

This past Saturday night – when the Gonzaga Men’s Basketball team faced St. Mary’s Basketball team here, in the Kennel – was an important seasonal match-up between two excellent WCC teams. For what has become widely regarded as one of the country’s most significant in-conference rivalries, fans of Gonzaga, St. Mary’s and college basketball tuned in to watch the game across the nation and around the world.

The McCarthey Athletic Center has, through the commitment and dedication of many students who consistently bring positive support and energy to every game, earned a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most exciting game environments in college basketball. Unfortunately – and in a major departure from the conventional experience – numerous incidents of inappropriate behavior on the part of some students on Saturday were observed by attendees and noted by sports commentators on national television. Expressions of profanity towards the opposing team and throwing of material and liquids onto the court impacted play and reflected a student community wholly atypical and unbecoming of our university. As a result, these behaviors negatively impacted the hard work of the student-athletes, coaches, officials, and staff as well as the experience of our fans, guests, and home audiences.

Notwithstanding the excitement that comes with college athletics and the desire to cheer on our athletic teams, the environment we seek to create in the McCarthey Arena is one that reflects the mission-based values of our institution and our commitment to creating a respectful, supportive environment for the student-athletes, coaches, officials, staff, and spectators. Gonzaga has a hard-earned reputation for being one of the best homecourt environments in the country, which is the result of an enviable combination of passionate enthusiasm, civility, and goodwill.

Saturday’s inappropriate conduct was, quite simply, unacceptable. The Athletics department is currently coordinating with our colleagues in Student Affairs to address students who interfered with play and negatively affected the experience of others. Those who acted out through verbal abuse or by throwing items or substances onto the court will be held accountable. Admission to the McCarthey Athletic Center, including the student section, comes with standards of conduct and all those who have the privilege of participating as spectators in upcoming contests will be expected to uphold them. We therefore request that all who choose to participate as spectators in Gonzaga Athletics events act in an enthusiastic, energetic, and respectful manner. Students who refuse to do so will be escorted from the venue and held accountable under the University’s Code of Conduct.

We look forward to the contests to come and the respectful support of all those who make Gonzaga Athletics the amazing experience it is. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,