As Husker basketball opens a new season, the school will continue to play a song that’s been referred to as “the Black National Anthem” before home games despite opposition from Governor Pete Ricketts. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been played at Husker home games since the beginning of last season, and men’s head coach Fred Hoiberg said Monday that won’t change.
“We feel as sport we hope we can help be an example,” he said. “We have players from all over the country, all over the world, that have to come together and play for each other and be one and come together and obviously we need to be better in our country in that area.”
Earlier this week, Ricketts released a statement that said there is only one National Anthem and that playing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Husker games is divisive. Hoiberg said the song will be played after the National Anthem and after the American flag has been cleared from the court. Last season, the song was played before the National Anthem. The Huskers open the season against Western Illinois Tuesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.