GREENSBORO, N.C. — Unresolved disputes concerning the Confederate flag have led the Atlantic Coast Conference to move three future baseball tournaments out of South Carolina.
League officials said Monday that the ACC instead will hold its championship in Durham, N.C., in 2011 and '13 and in Greensboro in 2012.
The ACC previously awarded the tournament to Myrtle Beach from 2011-13, but that decision drew criticism from the NAACP, which has boycotted South Carolina for nearly a decade for flying and then displaying the Confederate flag on state capitol grounds.
Four years ago, ACC presidents agreed that the league would consider awarding championships to South Carolina venues on a case-by-case basis if the host groups' proposals included plans to work with the NAACP, conference officials said.
"Our baseball committee and institutional administrators awarded the championships to Myrtle Beach with the understanding that the event had the blessings of all parties within the state of South Carolina. It has become clear this was not the case," commissioner John Swofford said.
"It's unfortunate that this miscommunication occurred and since the original announcement, we have had productive conversations with members of the NAACP," he added. "In the end, given the conference's commitment to diversity, equality and human rights, our institutions have determined that this change should be made."
The NAACP has boycotted South Carolina since 2000, when the Confederate flag flew over the Statehouse, and sanctions led to a legislative compromise where the banner was taken down and placed at a Confederate soldier's monument in front of the Capitol building. Opponents said the new location made the flag even more visible and demanded it be removed to a museum. The boycott has continued since.
Opponents of the flag say it's a symbol of racism and hatred. Flag supporters say it honors heritage.
The NCAA has had a moratorium on awarding predetermined championships to South Carolina since 2001. Leagues are not bound by the NCAA's guidelines regarding the Confederate flag, though the ACC and Southeastern Conference have largely adhered to similar stances.
The 2010 tournament will be played in Greensboro. It originally was scheduled for Fenway Park in Boston, but the ACC brought the event closer to the center of the league to lower travel costs.
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July 7, 2009
1:35 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Just a thought...What is the NAACP doing to supplement the incomes of the African Americans that will be suffering from this lose of revenue for our state? I mean honestly, I had forgotten about that stupid boycott. I also found it rather ironic that in a state as prejudiced as ours (and don't say it's not) the NAACP would think that boycotting would bother people. I have lived in this ridiculous, close minded state for my entire life and know several people that were thrilled about the boycott (my parents being among them...I don't share their views) because they thought it would mean fewer African American people coming here. I mean, c'mom!!! Isn't it time for everyone on both sides to GET OVER IT!!!
And just a side note, most rednecks around the Oconee area actually fly their confederate flags upside down!! Hateful and stupid!!
July 7, 2009
9:41 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I actually didn't know there was still a boycott. What are they boycotting? Has anyone been affected personally? I haven't seen they effect at all.
July 7, 2009
11:04 a.m.Report inappropriate content
One observation about Confederate flags is that if its display is meant to honor the memory of soldiers who died then the display in Salem fits the bill I guess.
However, I would think that those people who see its as a symbol of their heritage, would be very offended by the person just a short distance in Salem down the road who has a Confederate flag on a pole in his front yard surrounded by what looks like a garbage dump or scrap yard. Not very respectful if you ask me.
July 7, 2009
12:06 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Typical if you ask me....confederate flag flying and garbage dump or scrap yard go hand in hand...to be expected.
July 7, 2009
2:03 p.m.Report inappropriate content
what's the big deal?the naacp is the most prejudiced group on the planet earth.if i started a united caucasion college fund,i would be sued for discrimination. if you truely want to do away with hate and discrimination,disband the naacp.forget the flag,it's not the problem!
July 7, 2009
4:09 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Before you start that fund, golforfun....please have someone with a bit more education check your spelling.
Caucasian
truly
July 7, 2009
4:32 p.m.Report inappropriate content
this south carolina the frist shot was fired here, get over it
July 7, 2009
4:42 p.m.Report inappropriate content
If you don't like it, don't look at it.
Try to change it if you want to.
Who know's, maybe someone will not like the
car you park in your yard.
And get over spell check for blogging, not everyone
is anal!
July 7, 2009
5:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I park my car in a garage. My point is that if someone truly honors something or someone they treat it with respect. A garbage dump in front of a flag does not indicate respect, what it does is reinforce the impression that the owner is an ignorant jerk.
July 9, 2009
4:49 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Yes and you seem to be someone who judges everyone from what you see of 1 person or family. People are different, they have different values and perspectives. You have your right to not like the way some thing looks, you have the right to make your yard look as you think it should, but that does not mean that everyone else has too.