HATTIESBURG, Miss., March 20 (UPI) -- Five University of Southern Mississippi students have been expelled from the pep band for a racial slur aimed at a rival player, officials said Tuesday.
Joe Paul, vice president for student affairs, said in a news release the students have been stripped of their scholarships, The (Jackson) Clarion-Ledger reported. Paul said they must also go through two hours of cultural sensitivity training this week.
The incident occurred at the Southern Mississippi-Kansas State NCAA basketball tournament game Thursday. Angel Rodriguez, a Kansas State point guard, was making a free throw when chants were heard of "Where's your green card?"
Rodriguez, who is from Puerto Rico, told CNN he accepted an immediate apology from Southern Miss officials. He pointed out that he is a U.S. citizen.
The chants could be heard on TV broadcasts and caused an uproar on the Internet.
"The students have been forthcoming, cooperative, contrite and sincerely remorseful," Paul said. "They acted rashly and inappropriately, and now see the gravity of their words and actions."
Southern Miss lost Thursday's game 70-64, ending the school's tournament run. Kansas State lost to Syracuse in the next round.
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