Recently, the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team caused a stir when they weren’t present for the national anthem before their NCAA tournament game against Iowa Hawkeyes.
During the pregame introductions for the Elite Eight matchup, footage showed the Iowa Hawkeyes lined up for the anthem, while the LSU Tigers were absent from the court.
As the video went viral, this sparked controversy on social media, with many interpreting it as the LSU team intentionally disrespecting the anthem.
However, to shut down the naysayers, LSU coach Kim Mulkey denied any intentional disrespect. She claimed the team has a pregame routine that involves leaving the court at a specific time, and it unintentionally coincided with the anthem.
Now, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has taken a strong stance. He criticized LSU and went further, suggesting athletes could lose scholarships for missing the anthem in the future.
Now, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has taken a strong stance. He criticized LSU and went further, suggesting athletes could lose scholarships for missing the anthem in the future.
On Tuesday morning, Jeff Laundry wrote on X, formerly Twitter:
“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. However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag!”
He added:
“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.”
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. 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…
— Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) April 2, 2024
Well, the controversy overshadowed LSU’s loss to Iowa in the game. The LSU Tigers and Iowa Hawkeyes faced off in a dramatic NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite Eight matchup on April 1. This was a rematch of the 2023 National Championship game, which LSU won.
Iowa, led by performance from Caitlin Clark who poured in 41 points and dished out 12 assists, emerged as winners with a final score of 94-87. The Hawkeyes avenged their loss from the previous year and punched their ticket to the Final Four.
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