Students Goad Basketball Player With Antigay Signs: 'Stick to Grindr'

An investigation at New Jersey's Monmouth University is underway after an antigay sign was used to taunt a men's basketball player.

During a Friday game at the OceanFirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, N.J., a group of male MU students held several signs with printouts of photographs from a Siena College player's Tinder profile.

"Stick to Grindr," read a large whiteboard accompanying the signs, a reference to the hookup app popular with gay and bi men. Facebook user Kayla Rose first posted a picture of the scene along with context. "Disgusting but unsurprising homophobia coming from the Monmouth fan section," Rose stated.

Rose added that she observed the Grindr sign "targeting that specific player" at the top of the second half, but could not ascertain how long the message was held after the students turned to face the court.

The photograph from the game sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for an explanation and action on Monmouth's accounts. And now, the incident is under investigation.

Patrick Leahy, president of Monmouth University, said he was "made aware of highly offensive actions by several members of our student body directed at players on the opposing team during last night's men's basketball game," in a letter posted last weekend to his Twitter account.

"Please be assured that we are working swiftly to gather additional details and to directly address the behavior with those involved," Leahy added. "We value every member of our campus community. Strong and inclusive communities are built on a bond of trust. When that bond is broken, we take it very seriously. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated on this campus.''

A Pride night at a Monmouth men's basketball game had occurred just two days prior to the incident, reports USA Today. Monmouth ended up losing its final home game to Siena, 72 to 86.