Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has formalized his request to the state’s five higher education boards to create a policy that could strip college athletes of their scholarships if they aren’t present for the national anthem before games and matches.
Landry’s request comes after LSU women’s basketball Coach Kim Mulkey and her players skipped the national anthem Monday as part of their regular pregame routine before the team’s Elite 8 loss to Iowa.
On Tuesday Landry expressed his disappointment in Mulkey and the players in a post on his X social media account where he first suggested scholarships should be at risk.
On the same day, he sent letters to the state’s five education board chairs – Gary Solomon Jr. (Board of Regents), Jimmy Clarke (University of Louisiana System Board), Willie Mount (Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board), Jimmie Woods (LSU Board of Supervisors) and Myron Lawson (Southern University System Board) – asking them to formalize the policy.
USA Today Network is seeking comment from Jimmy Clarke, who represents the largest of the systems.
Landry doesn’t technically control the boards, but the governor does appoint those who serve on them.
“By choosing to miss the national anthem, the basketball team showed a lack of respect not only for the values of our country, but for the individuals who hold these values dear, including LSU alumni, current students and fans back home and accross the country,” Landry said in his letter. “Therefore, I urge the board(s) to create a policy that mandates all student athletes be present on the field, court, etc. for the national anthem or risk losing their scholarships.”
After the game, Mulkey was asked about missing the anthem.
“Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done,” she said. “Honestly I don’t even know when the anthem was played. We kind of have a routine where we’re on the floor and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. We just come in and do our pregame stuff.”
But Landry said skipping the national anthem is inexcusable.
“The spotlight during the Elite 8 tournament should have been on how well our team played and fought until the end,” he wrote. “Instead one team was recognized for being absent during the national anthem.”
More:Governor Jeff Landry scolds LSU players, Kim Mulkey for skipping national anthem before Iowa
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.