While not the intent, South Carolina’s move on a divisive and lightning-rod issue earlier today has put the state back in the good graces of the governing body of collegiate athletics.
Thursday afternoon, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law a piece of legislation that will remove the Confederate flag that currently flies on the state Capitol grounds. The flag will officially be removed at 10 a.m. ET Friday morning.
The NCAA, which had previously banned the state from bidding for the right to host NCAA championships across all its sports because the flag was being flown, commended the state for its actions today. In fact, The Association announced in its statement of commendation that the state may bid to hold future NCAA championships.
Statement from NCAA Board of Governors chair on Confederate flag legislation: pic.twitter.com/68cptlDy9B
— NCAA PR (@NCAA_PR) July 9, 2015
Haley’s signed legislation comes a little over two weeks after myriad entities and individuals, including the University of South Carolina’s head ball coach and athletic director, called for its permanent removal. Those calls came in the aftermath of a horrific church shooting in which nine parishioners were gunned down, including the church’s pastor and state Sen. Clementa Pickney.
The confessed killer was subsequently showed posing for photos in which the Confederate flag was prominently displayed.