NCAA MARCH MADNESS
Louisiana governor Jeff Landry made headlines when he weighed in on a controversial issue involving NCAA athletes, their scholarships, and the national anthem. The incident occurred during the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament, where the defending national champions, the LSU women’s basketball team, were conspicuously absent during the playing of the national anthem before their matchup with Iowa.
The absence of the LSU Tigers from the court during the anthem caught the attention of Governor Landry. In a post on social media, he expressed his views:
“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 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.”
Governor Landry’s call for mandatory attendance during the anthem reflects his belief in honoring national symbols while recognizing the responsibilities of student-athletes but misses the most obvious point: patriotic symbols are the least of the concern for student-athletes when they need to stay focus for the match that is coming up. Moreover, sports and politics should not be mixed, as it may seem like a cheap political ploy to garnish support.
In the aftermath of LSU’s 94-87 loss to top-seeded Iowa, Coach Kim Mulkey addressed questions about her team’s absence during the anthem. She explained that their routine sometimes led them to be off the court during that time and emphasized that it was not intentional and that “doesn’t even know when the anthem is played.” Despite the explanation, Governor Landry’s stance remained firm.
The incident involving the LSU Tigers and the anthem is part of a broader controversy. A Washington Post article and a controversial column by Los Angeles Times columnist Ben Bolch have also contributed to the media attention surrounding the team. Bolch, framed the Sweet 16 matchup between LSU and UCLA as a clash of values: “good versus evil,” “right versus wrong,” and “inclusive versus divisive.”
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LSU, having secured their first-ever basketball national championship last year by defeating Iowa, now faces scrutiny beyond the court.
The clash between respecting the anthem and individual rights continues to be a topic of debate. As the conversation unfolds, it remains to be seen how colleges and universities will address this complex issue moving forward.
About the author
Andy Restrepo
Andy is a Miami native journalist and translator who is always on top of what sporting activity is taking place across the globe, and he aims to ensure all relevant information is shared with fans. Mainly focused on the US competitions of NBA, NFL and MLS, he also has a keen interest in international soccer, including Spain's LaLiga and the English Premier League among others.
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