In a press conference following LSU’s 94-87 loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight, Head Coach Kim Mulkey was asked about the Lady Tigers’ absence during the playing of the national anthem before the contest began.
Mulkey says it was unintentional. She said she didn’t know when the anthem would be played and that the team’s pre-game routine involves leaving the court 12 minutes before tip-off.
“Honestly I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” she explained. “We kind of have a routine where we are on the floor then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know. We come in and we do our pre-game stuff. I’m sorry. Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.”
Video on social media showed the Iowa Hawkeyes standing for the anthem while LSU was not on the court.
Governor Jeff Landry said student-athletes should risk losing their scholarships for being absent during the national anthem.
“Above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag!” Landry posted on X. “This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill.”
A spokesperson for LSU athletics says both men’s and women’s basketball teams remain in the locker room during a portion of pregame events that include the national anthem, potentially putting dozens of athletes at risk of losing their scholarships.
“Our basketball programs have not been on the court for the anthem for the last several seasons,” LSU athletics spokesperson Cody Worsham said in a statement to the Louisiana Illuminator. “Usually the anthem is played 12 minutes before the game when the team is in the locker room doing final preparations.”
Similar protests have largely been absent from major college athletics programs. Many college athletics programs keep their athletes off the field or court during the anthem.
Landry’s comments come just days after an ally in the Legislature introduced a bill that would give him further control over higher education.
Senate Bill 403, by Sen. Mike Fesi, R-Houma, would give the governor the sole power to appoint the chairs of each of the state’s four higher education governing boards and the Commissioner of Higher Education.