South Carolina’s Action on Flag Leads NCAA to Lift Ban

As a result of the South Carolina’s decision to remove the Confederate battle flag from its capitol grounds, the NCAA is ending a nearly 15-year ban on the state playing host to sanctioned championship events.

Gov. Nikki Haley signed the legislation Thursday.

Within minutes of announcement, NCAA Board of Governors Chairman Kirk Schulz issued a statement commending South Carolina’s lawmakers for taking the action. The ban, imposed in 2001, applied to all championship events with predetermined host sites, such as the men’s basketball tournament. Events that were assigned to home teams, such as the baseball tournament, were exempt from the ban.

“We commend South Carolina lawmakers for taking this action to remove the Confederate flag from the Capitol grounds,” said Schulz. “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.”