Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana has reprimanded a college women’s basketball team for skipping the national anthem at the NCAA tournament.
The Louisiana State University women’s basketball team and its head coach, Kim Mulkey, left the court after warms ups before the anthem was performed.
“My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey,” wrote Landry on X. “However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag !”
“It is time that all college boards, including Regent, put a policy in place that student athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship! This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill,” he continued.
Chessa Bouche, a local reporter in BR Proud News, noted on social media that the LSU team has a history of missing the national anthem.
Others defended the team, suggesting they are not obligated to participate.
“Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects were all over LSU's decision, even though this has been the consistent move for the Tigers all year long,” reports The Spun. “Everyone is free to do whatever they please and after all, this is an athletic event, not a competition of patriotism.”
Mulkey denied the move was intentional or symbolic when speaking with the press.
"Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played," the coach said, per Outkick. "We kind of have a routine when (our players are) on the floor, and they come off at the 12-minute mark (prior to the game)."
"I don't know, we come in and we do our pregame stuff. I'm sorry, listen, that's nothing intentionally done," she said.
Dan Zaksheske, the OutKick reporter who asked Mulkey about her team’s absence during the national anthem, noted that “LSU pays Kim Mulkey to win basketball games.”
“It's her job to get her players in the best physical and mental shape to play basketball, whether that's during the week, in the off-season or on game day,” he wrote on April 2. “Clearly, Mulkey believes that the best thing for her team is a pre-game routine that does not include standing on the court for the U.S. National Anthem.”
“America is a free country, she's free to make that decision for her team,” Zaksheske added. “Just as people are free to criticize that decision.”
LSU was ultimately defeated by Iowa 94-87 and eliminated from the tournament.
Governor Landry was not the only person angered by LSU’s absence during the national anthem.
Social media users denounced LSU and celebrated the team’s loss. LSU players left the court during the National Anthem.
What a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/nct3thKamh
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) April 1, 2024 Another reason to not watch women's basketball as LSU's pathetic dribblers walk out during national anthem. Even more pathetic, the coach makes an excuse for their anti American stance. pic.twitter.com/VC9RCJSDQE Caitlin Clark is cooking LSU, who refused to stand for the national anthem
— NorCal SA (@NorCalSmartAss) April 2, 2024
Love to see it 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rKBKrEeot8
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) April 2, 2024
