LSU Women's Basketball Team Skips National Anthem

The 2023 championship rematch between Iowa and LSU in this year’s Elite Eight was a scintillating production that stockpiled praise from celebrities, athletes and fans alike, while shattering the record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever.

But Louisiana Gov.

Jeff Landry was unimpressed before a basketball even bounced Monday after LSU was not present for the national anthem, calling for a policy to be put in place that risks a student-athlete’s scholarship if the player is absent during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“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,” Gov. Landry wrote on X on Tuesday. “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.”

LSU coach Kim Mulkey said postgame that she was unaware of what time the anthem played and that her team’s routine is to head from the court into the locker room at the 12-minute mark.

Iowa was present for the anthem and lined up along its foul line with all players holding hands.

“I’m sorry, listen, that’s nothing intentionally done,” Mulkey said postgame.