NCAA Opposes Indiana Marriage Ban

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, which is based in Indianapolis, says that it opposes Indiana's proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

"The NCAA national office leadership strongly supports an environment of inclusion where all of our employees are treated fairly and enjoy equal protection under the law," NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said. "We urge Indiana lawmakers to legislate in the same spirit." HJR-3 would amend the state constitution to read that marriage would only be recognized between one man and one woman in Indiana. The NCAA has long offered benefits to employees involved in same-sex relationships, Williams said. It has about 450 full-time employees. The national governing body for college sports has the power to prevent certain places and schools from playing host to NCAA championship events, and it has used that power on social issues.

Most of Indiana's NCAA-member universities have publicly denounced the proposed bill.