Governor Jeff Landry is displeased the LSU Lady Tigers were not on the court for the national anthem before the Elite Eight game against Iowa.
Landry says he respects coach Kim Mulkey, but there should be a deep respect for those who serve to protect and unite us under one flag.
Mulkey says she didn’t know when the anthem was played.
“We kind of have a routine on the floor and they come off at the 12-minute mark and we come in and do our pregame stuff, listen there was nothing intentionally done,” Mulkey said.
Mulkey had a puzzled look on her face when the question was asked.
This latest controversy for the LSU women’s basketball team began when video taken by those in attendance noted Iowa was on the court for the national anthem, but the Lady Tigers were not present.
In a post on social media, Landry says he wants the Board of Regents to put a policy in place that requires student-athletes to be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship. The governor says it’s a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill.
Such a policy would impact more than just the Lady Tigers. At LSU football games, the teams are in their respective locker rooms for the national anthem.
