All four head coaches in this weekend's Men's Final Four have released a statement in regards to the new "religious freedom" law in Indiana that many say is anti-LGBT, saying "discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated."
The statement reads:
"We are aware of the recent actions in Indiana and have made a point to talk about this sensitive and important issue among ourselves and with our teams. Each of us strongly supports the positions of the NCAA and our respective institutions on this matter – that discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated. As a part of America's higher education system, college basketball plays an important role in diversity, equality, fairness and inclusion, and will continue to do so in the future."
The NCAA provided some background:
Early today, the National Association of Basketball Coaches facilitated a conference call between the four coaches playing this week in the 2015 NCAA Men's Final Four in Indianapolis to discuss concerns expressed regarding the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act. On the call, the four coaches – John Calipari of the University of Kentucky, Tom Izzo of Michigan State University, Bo Ryan of the University of Wisconsin and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University – were in unanimous support of the policies expressed by their institutions and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
It's powerful to have these four men speak out on this issue on the eve of the Final Four. The sports world has been overwhelming in its collective response to the new Indiana law.
