Updated 5/29 11:40 a.m. to include statements from Saluki Athletic Director Liz Jarnigan and Head Baseball Coach Lance Rhodes.

SIUC released a statement about a SnapChat video created by former Saluki baseball player Mason Hiser in which he repeatedly uses the N-word.

The video went viral on Facebook and Twitter Friday and shows Hiser using a Martin Luther King Jr. day filter and going on a racist rant.

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“Today we say fuck n*****,” Hiser said. “Fucking n***** I fucking hate n*****.”

SIU tweeted a two-paragraph statement that said Hiser had graduated and was no longer enrolled at the university.

“We condemn the extremely offensive, hateful comments in the post which are in direct opposition to our values as an institution,” the statement said. “Diversity and inclusion are embedded in our mission. We urge all members of our community to model our values and demonstrate respect for others.”

“Now more than ever we need to come together to oppose racism through education and constructive action,” the statement said. “We will continue to focus on creating a welcoming, inclusive culture and take the necessary steps to evaluate and improve what we do.”

The video can be viewed here.

Saluki Athletic Director, Liz Jarnigan, released a statement in response to the video calling it appalling.

“We condemn these statements in the strongest terms,” Jarnigan said. “They are antithetical to everything we stand for.”

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Head Baseball Coach Lance Rhodes also condemned the comments.

“The comments disgusted me,” Rhodes said. “There is no place for racism on our team. I apologize to everyone who has been affected by his racist comments. Diversity and inclusion are welcomed in our baseball program. As the head coach I will do everything in my power to demand our staff and players model a culture of unity.”

Their full statements can be found here.

As of publication Hiser had not responded to the DE’s request for comment, and his athletic information was still published on the SIU Athletics website.

(See more: here).

 News Editor Kallie Cox can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @KallieECox.

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