Haden skips Indiana meeting because of religious-freedom law

Wccb Charlotte Sept 2025 Icon 512x512

Southern California athletic director Pat Haden will not attend the College Football Playoff selection committee meeting in Indianapolis this week because of a new Indiana religious-freedom law that critics fear could permit discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Haden posted on Twitter at @ADHadenUSC: “I am the proud father of a gay son. In his honor, I will not be attending the CFP committee meeting in Indy this week. #EmbraceDiversity.”

The meeting coincides with the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Haden is one of five current athletic directors on the 13-member selection committee that picks the four teams to participate in the College Football Playoff and compete for the national championship.