The NCAA has lifted its "boycott on predetermined championship sites" in the state of South Carolina now that the Confederate flag has been taken off the Statehouse grounds, according to David Cloninger of the Columbia STATE. Cities in South Carolina are "now eligible to host NCAA basketball tournaments, conference baseball tournaments and even bowl games." Ending the boycott, which had been in place since '01. could lead the city of Charleston to "re-visit an idea the NCAA had turned down ... a 'Palmetto Bowl' or 'Legends Bowl' to be played at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium." The Univ. of South Carolina will "check to see when bids for events are due and get to work on finalizing proposals." The school's Colonial Life Arena "couldn’t be used for an SEC postseason basketball tournament or an NCAA women’s basketball regional (third and fourth rounds) because it is the Gamecocks’ home arena, but it could be used for an NCAA men’s basketball regional." Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville "could host any basketball event and any of the state’s minor-league ballparks could host ACC or SEC tournaments." The university "plans to work with Greenville for those events" (Columbia STATE, 7/10). In Charleston, Prentiss Findlay notes the ban "didn't impact post-season events decided on merit," as South Carolina and Clemson have "regularly played on their home fields." However, the boycott did force the South Carolina women's basketball team "to play NCAA tournament games away from Colonial Life Arena until the format for the event was changed prior to this season" (Charleston POST & COURIER, 7/10).
STILL WORK TO DO: In Jackson, Michael Bonner reports Mississippi is now the "only state banned from hosting pre-determined NCAA postseason events," as it contains "the presence of the Confederate flag in [the] capitol grounds." Mississippi State Univ. President Mark Keenum in a statement supported a "change to the state flag that would bring the NCAA postseason to the Magnolia State." Acting Ole Miss Chancellor Morris Stocks also released a statement that read, "We join other leaders ... who are calling for change in the state flag." Bonner notes the SEC also has "come out in support of removing the Confederate flag." SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has "made it clear that he doesn't want to govern a conference associated with an unwelcoming symbol in some of its states" (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 7/10).
