Louisiana State University has responded to governor Jeff Landry's call for state schools to impost stiff penalties, including the revoking of scholarships, for student-athlete who skip the playing of the national anthem at their sporting events.
The governor's comments seemed to be in response to the LSU women's absence during the anthem prior the team's Elite 8 appearance against Iowa.
“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 following the game.
LSU responded with a statement of its own.
"We have reviewed Governor Landry's letter on the national anthem. At LSU, we have and will always be dedicated to the flag, the anthem and the country. We consistently look at our processes and will do so again. As Louisiana's flagship university, LSU always strives to represent the higher ideals and values of our students, our state, and our country," Director of Athletics Scott Woodward said in the issued statement.
In a postgame press conference, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey denied that the team's absence during the anthem was intentional.
Louisiana senator Mike Fesi (R-Houma) last week introduced a bill that would give the governor additional control over higher education, allowing Landry sole power to appoint chairs of each of Louisiana's higher eduction governing board, as well as the commissioner of higher education.
