Costume protest leads to postponement of basketball game

LANCASTER, PA. >> A Pennsylvania college basketball game was postponed after a pre-game protest on the court by students objecting to Halloween costumes allegedly worn by several school athletes.

Scores of students sat on the Franklin & Marshall College basketball court for 10 minutes Friday night until an announcement was made that the game against York College was being canceled.

The students said they were offended by photos circulated on social media showing five students said to be members of the men’s basketball and soccer teams wearing costumes the protesters charged embodied Asian, Hispanic and African stereotypes.

Junior Justin Kupa, a member of the basketball team, apologized on the team’s behalf, calling the actions of his teammates “stupid” and “ignorant.” He said players were willing to meet with student leaders to discuss how to move forward.

“They need to see who they affected and what they caused,” he said, to which someone shouted, “Where they at now?” Kupa responded that they were advised not to come.

The men’s soccer coach, Dan Wagner, was interrupted several times as he defended his students. He asked the group to remain civil, saying his players had received death threats.

“I know these guys,” he said. “And they’re good people.”

Margaret Hazlett, the school’s vice president, said the five students are going through the student conduct process, which will determine if they will face punishment.