Louisiana governor Jeff Landry wants officials in higher education to implement stiff penalties, including the revoking of scholarships, for student-athletes who are not present for the playing of the national anthem at their sporting events.
Landry's comments come after some criticized the LSU women's basketball team for being absent during the playing of the anthem prior to their Elite 8 appearance against Iowa at the NCAA Tournament.
Kim Mulkey if leaving the court prior to the playing of the national anthem was a conscious decision on her part:
— OutKick (@Outkick) April 3, 2024
(Via OutKick's @RealDanZak) pic.twitter.com/fXGlH4eWbl
In a postgame press conference, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey denied that the team's absence during the anthem was intentional.
“It is time that all college boards, including Regent [sic], 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,” Landry posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Louisiana senator Mike Fesi (R-Houma) this week introduced a bill that would give the governor additional control over higher eduction, allowing the Landry the sole power to appoint chairs of each of Louisiana's higher eduction governing board, as well as the commissioner of higher education.
