February 22, 2004

By: Zi Perry
Website: http://www.1st-in-flags.com

NCAA executive commitee acts on confederate flag issue

The NCAA Executive Committee voted today to honor its existing contracts for championships in South Carolina and Georgia, where issues around the prominent display or sovereign position of the Confederate battle flag had prompted calls for the events to be relocated.

As a result, the 2002 first and second rounds of the Division I Men's Basketball Championship will be conducted in Greenville, South Carolina, as scheduled, along with the 2002 and 2007 Men's Final Four and the 2003 Women's Final Four scheduled for Atlanta, Georgia. There are a number of other predetermined championships already contracted for sites in both states that will be conducted as planned.

However, the committee restated its opposition to awarding future predetermined championship sites where the battle flag continues to have a prominent presence. The committee voted to delay making a decision about awarding future predetermined championship sites in South Carolina, pending additional discussion by its Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues.

While, there are no predetermined championships already committed to sites in Mississippi, the Executive Committee agreed that given the recent vote in that state to maintain its flag, which includes a significant representation of the Confederate battle flag, no predetermined sites will be awarded to Mississippi for the foreseeable future.

Also see: American Flags

Author Notes:

Zi Perry contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-flags.com.  The flags of the world are symbols of recognition full of beauty and color for each country.