Gov. Jeff Landry joined the list of voices who criticized Kim Mulkey and the LSU women's basketball team for missing the national anthem prior to Monday's Elite Eight game against Iowa in Albany, New York.

Landry issued a statement Tuesday morning challenging Louisiana lawmakers to help implement policy that would require that the state's student-athletes be present for the national anthem.

"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," Landry said in a post on X. "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."

Mulkey said after Monday's game that her team was not intentionally absent for the anthem prior to the game against the Hawkeyes in Albany, New York.

"Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played. We kind of a routine where we're on the floor and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don't know ... we come in and we do our pregame stuff. I'm sorry ... Listen, that's nothing intentionally done."

LSU's absence was made more notable by the fact that the Iowa team was on the court for the anthem.

Neither the USC or UConn teams were on the court for the national anthem prior to the other Elite Eight game Monday night.

Email Patrick Magee at PMagee@TheAdvocate.com or follow him on Twitter, @PatrickDMagee.

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