The NCAA made a move for equality on Monday when it announced the decision to relocate championship events scheduled to be hosted in North Carolina because of a state law that discriminates against the LGBT community. The move follows the NBA’s decision to pull the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte.
Duke, ACC strongly support NCAA’s decision to remove events from North Carolina
There’s strong support for the anti-discrimination message the NCAA sent to North Carolina on Monday.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
The ACC has released a statement by commissioner John Swofford in support of the NCAA’s decision, saying it will consider pulling ACC Championships from the state because of the league’s “longstanding commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.”
The decision by the NCAA Board of Governors to relocate all current, and not award any future, NCAA Championship sites in the state of North Carolina continues to build upon the negative impact this bill has already had on the state. HB2 was previously scheduled to be thoroughly discussed at this week's ACC Council of Presidents meeting, so it would be premature to make any decisions or announcements regarding ACC Championships until our membership is able to discuss. The league's longstanding commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion will continue to be a central theme to our discussions.
On a personal note, it's time for this bill to be repealed as it's counter to basic human rights.
Duke University also issued a statement in support of the NCAA, calling the state law “embarrassing”:
Duke AD Kevin White brought some heat in a statement on the NCAA's decision this evening pic.twitter.com/kvAYigBc3b
— Brant Wilkerson-New (@BrantGNR) September 13, 2016
NC State, in a statement issued by AD Debbie Yow, called the NCAA’s decision “disappointing” and said the school hopes for a resolution soon.
Statement on the NCAA decision from NC State AD Debbie Yow pic.twitter.com/a3N4veUEsj
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 13, 2016
Seven events during the 2016-17 school year will be relocated, including first- and second-round games in the men’s NCAA tournament scheduled to take place in Greensboro.
For more on North Carolina’s discriminatory law, check out coverage from Vox.com
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