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NCAA President 'Very Pleased' With Indiana's Religious Freedom Bill Amendment

Veronica Elliot April 02, 2015 04:14 PM EST

Demonstrators gather at Monument Circle to protest a controversial religious freedom bill recently signed by Governor Mike Pence, during a rally in Indianapolis March 28, 2015. | (Photo: Reuters/Nate Chute)

The president of the NCAA released a statement Thursday saying he was "pleased" with the decision of Indiana lawmakers to clarify their recently-passed religious freedom bill.

NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a short statement that he was "very pleased" with the state lawmakers' decision to add an amendment to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that prevents discrimination against customers based on their sexual orientation.

Emmert expressed concern earlier this week regarding the legislation ahead of the college men's basketball Final Four tournament in Indianapolis this weekend.

"We are very pleased the Indiana legislature is taking action to amend Senate Bill 101 so that it is clear individuals cannot be discriminated against," Emmert said in his statement.

"NCAA core values call for an environment that is inclusive and non-discriminatory for our student-athletes, membership, fans, staff and their families. We look forward to the amended bill being passed quickly and signed into law expeditiously by the governor," Emmert added.

Indiana's House Speaker Brian Bosma announced at a press conference Thursday that lawmakers would be revising the new religious freedom law to include an amendment that prevented discrimination toward customers based on their "race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or United States military Service."

"What was intended as a message of inclusion was interpreted as a message of exclusion, especially for the LGBT community," Bosma told reporters during a press conference. "Nothing could have been further from the truth, but it was clear the perception had to be addressed."

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