June 27, 2025

NCAA Bans Walk-Up Songs for LSU Baseball Players

News Summary

The NCAA has prohibited LSU baseball players Derek Curiel and Kade Anderson from using walk-up songs by Kanye West during the College World Series due to the artist’s controversial reputation. Despite the ban, LSU secured its eighth national championship title against Coastal Carolina. The decision has raised discussions about the impact of artistic expression in collegiate athletics, with criticisms from Louisiana’s Attorney General regarding the NCAA’s ruling and its implications on freedom of choice during sports events.

Omaha, Nebraska – The NCAA has banned walk-up songs by Kanye West for two LSU baseball players, Derek Curiel and Kade Anderson, during the recently concluded College World Series (CWS). The decision to prohibit the songs was linked to West’s controversial reputation regarding antisemitic views and divisive online posts. The CWS culminated with LSU winning the national championship title, further elevating the visibility of the ban.

Curiel had chosen “God Is” as his walk-up song while Anderson opted for “All of the Lights”. Initially, Curiel believed that the ban stemmed from his song’s Christian content; however, he later clarified through social media comments that the ban was solely because of the artist himself and not the songs’ themes.

Despite the ban on their walk-up music, LSU baseball secured its eighth national championship by defeating Coastal Carolina with a score of 5-3 in Game 2 of the CWS finals. This victory marked LSU’s second championship in three seasons and solidified their status as a dominant force in collegiate baseball.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill publicly criticized the NCAA’s decision, decrying it as a “terrible call” and requesting an apology on behalf of Curiel. The controversy surrounding the ban sparked a wide array of discussions across social media and various news platforms, focusing on how artistic expressions like music can influence sports events.

In addition to their individual achievements, the performances of both players contributed crucially to LSU’s championship success. Curiel, who had an impressive freshman season with 89 hits, 20 doubles, 7 home runs, and a .348 batting average, and Anderson, who is regarded as a top prospect for the upcoming MLB Draft, played pivotal roles in the series.

Throughout the CWS, Anthony Eyanson also emerged as an invaluable asset for LSU, consistently delivering strong pitching performances which played a significant part in their ultimate victory. Coach Jay Johnson spoke with pride about the team, emphasizing their motto of being “tough and together,” which clearly resonated during this championship run.

The debate over the banned walk-up songs reflects broader discussions about the intersection of music, artistic expression, and collegiate athletics. The decision by the NCAA to disallow specific musical selections at a major sporting event raises questions about the balance between artistic freedom and the reputational implications associated with individual artists.

As the dust settles on the College World Series, the interplay of music in sports and its potential influence on player morale and performance will likely remain a topic of discussion moving forward. LSU baseball’s ability to rise above distractions and clinch their championship title underscores the team’s resilience and unity in the face of controversy.