Back to the original OP point. I enjoy reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the National Anthem whenever and wherever possible. It's an honor. Makes me feel good.
When I'm in someone's country, home, house of worship, etc., I'm respectful and mindful of their customs, practices, faith, etc. and try my best to honor same and act in accordance. That includes UConn's house.
In the good old USA, everyone is free to do or say anything they choose with few exceptions. A great privilege. Attend UConn games and say the Pledge and rise for the Anthem, or not. Your choice. Show respect and deference, or choose not to. Your choice. Feel fortunate and proud to revel in enthusiastic national pride, or feel pressured and offended by perceived pressure [or guilt] to conform. Your choice. I don't much care what anyone else does, thinks or feels in this regard - I have no control over it.
In general, I think the Anthem alone sets a perfect pitch for a sporting event. Nearly every country in the world employs a similar standard before major events. Adding the Pledge is unique and a positive [not negative] IMO. I'd be fine if they didn't have it as well.
Point of clarification from several prior posts. The concept of the "separation of church and state" has become a popular interpretation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution that was never articulated in the Constitution, or Declaration of Independence for that matter. The Constitution has one sentence with two separate points that reference religion. The first point prohibits the Federal Government from establishing a national religion and was specifically intended to prohibit the government from creating our very own New World version of the Church of England. The second point reinforces an individual's right to freely practice any faith they so choose. It does not state that the government is prohibited from employing the term "God" in it's proclamations or culture. As Meyers previously and aptly noted, the term "God" is multi-denominational:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances."