On the same day that an Indiana Senate panel approved a proposed gay marriage ban, the Indianapolis-based National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced its opposition.

(Related: Indiana Senate panel approves amended version of proposed gay marriage ban.)

“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 in a statement. “We urge Indiana lawmakers to legislate in the same spirit.”

“Thanks, @NCAA for officially taking a stand against #HJR3!” Freedom Indiana, the coalition working to derail the proposed ban, responded in a tweet to its more than 4,700 followers.

The full Senate is expected to consider the measure on Thursday.