John Swofford comments on ACC and Confederate flag |
Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford says that Friday's removal of the Confederate flag from the state of South Carolina's statehouse grounds means that the conference will once again look at South Carolina as an option for the conference's post-season tournaments.
The flag, a fixture on Capitol grounds for half a century, was lowered at 10 a.m. Friday, and Swofford told TigerNet that he applauded the move. “I personally applaud the decision to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds of the South Carolina State Capitol," Swofford said. "With this change, bids to host future ACC Championships will be accepted from interested South Carolina cities, with no additional stipulations placed on them because of the Confederate flag." The NCAA has barred championship play in South Carolina since 2001 because of the flag, and in 2009 the ACC decided against allowing Myrtle Beach to host the conference baseball tournament because of the controversy surrounding the Confederate flag. Myrtle Beach had been awarded the 2011-13 tournaments earlier that year, but the conference moved the tournament from South Carolina back to Durham and Greensboro in North Carolina. The state of South Carolina has hosted the ACC Baseball Championship 14 times - Greenville (9), Clemson (3) and Fort Mill (2) - but the last time the ACC came to South Carolina was in 2001. Clemson won six ACC championships when the tournament was held in its home state. The ACC Women's Basketball Tournament has been held in South Carolina six times - Clemson (1) and Rock Hill (5). The NCAA announced via a statement on Thursday afternoon that the state of South Carolina can bid on Championship events now that the Confederate flag is coming down. "We commend South Carolina lawmakers for taking this action to remove the Confederate flag from the Capitol grounds. For nearly 15 years we have specifically protested the flag by not allowing states like South Carolina to host pre-selected NCAA championships. With this impending change, and consistent with our policy, South Carolina may bid to host future NCAA championships once the flag no longer flies at the State House grounds." The NCAA since 2001 has not allowed the state of South Carolina to host any predetermined postseason events. Sporting events such as the men's NCAA basketball tournament, and those tournaments can now be played in the Palmetto State. Possible cities that could potentially be affected positively financially would be Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Greenville, etc. The removal of the Confederate flag now means that South Carolina can bid to host future NCAA championships. pic.twitter.com/zQxAq4byOd Let this historic day for South Carolina signal a new era of unity, hope and anticipation of a bright future
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