As Confederate flag falls, South Carolina athletics rise.

As of today, a confederate flag still flies over the Statehouse grounds in South Carolina, but not for long. With a 94-20 vote, the South Carolina House of Representatives moved to have the flag taken down. The bill is to be signed into action later today, and the flag should be down by tomorrow morning,  Friday July 10th.

Besides the cultural and social implications of the flag coming down, it should help in re-introducing the University of South Carolina’s facilities back into regular intercollegiate use. Since 2000, when the flag was first moved to the grounds, the NAACP placed a tourism boycott on the state of South Carolina. The NCAA followed suit by creating sanctions against hosting any sporting events in the state South Carolina.

Now, with the flag coming down tomorrow, The University of South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner is looking to the future.

“There have been some opportunities that have not been possible in the past that we would get a chance to engage in,” Tanner said. “[When] the flag is removed and the sanctions are lifted, then we can bid for events, whether it’s a women’s regional championship or basketball for the men, the first or second rounds, and other events around the state.”

The University of South Carolina has missed numerous opportunities to host NCAA basketball tournament games at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC, and lost a three-year deal to host the ACC baseball tournament at Myrtle Beach.

Tanner is excited for the flag to come down, the sanctions to be lifted, and to bring college sports back to USC.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

Video: Texas State team performs sign language concert
Video: Texas State team performs sign language concert