In the wake of the controversial religious freedom bill passed in Indiana this week, officials in the state of Connecticut took a hard stance against it Tuesday when Gov. Dannel Malloy banned all state-funded travel to Indiana.
The effects of the ban are trickling down to the University of Connecticut and its athletic programs. The staff of the UConn men's basketball team — last year's national champion — has decided to honor the state's ban by not attending this weekend's Final Four in Indianapolis.
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"In support of Governor Malloy's travel ban to the state of Indiana, (head coach) Kevin Ollie and other members of the UConn men's basketball staff will not travel to Indianapolis for the NCAA Final Four and events surrounding it," university president Susan Herbst said in a statement. "UConn is a community that values all of our members and treats each person with the same degree of respect, regardless of their background and beliefs and we will not tolerate any other behavior."
While the Huskies weren't in the NCAA Tournament this year, Ollie and his staff were expected to attend the Final Four, like most college basketball programs. The national semifinals and championship game coincide with the National Association of Basketball Coaches' annual convention.
Heavy hitters from around the sports world have joined in pressuring Indiana's governor, Mike Pence, to amend or repeal the law. NCAA president Mark Emmert and Colts owner Jim Irsay, among others, have condemned the decision.
Earlier Tuesday, USC athletic director Pat Haden announced on Twitter that, "as the proud father of a gay son," he would not attend a scheduled college football playoff meeting in Indianapolis.