Share

Coach K: NCAA was ‘right’ to move championships

The league stated that HB 2, a law passed in March that forced trans people to use public restrooms (in government buildings) that do not match their gender identity, is in violation of its commitment to inclusivity.

Advertisement

The NCAA is only the latest organization to announce it’s pulling scheduled events out of North Carolina over House Bill 2. Finding replacement sites for nearly all of those events almost certainly would not be difficult, and even moving the football championship game wouldn’t be an insurmountable obstacle, as NFL stadiums in the Washington area (FedEx Field), Tampa (Raymond James Stadium, site of the 2008 and ’09 games) and Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) are not being used the weekend of December 3.

Earlier this year, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver pulled the All-Star Game out of the state because of the law.

In a statement released Tuesday, September 13, Northam applauded the NCAA’s actions and said Virginia would be honored to host more student athletes.

The decision is in line with the spirit of the NCAA, board of governors vice chair and Susquehanna University president Jay Lemons said. “We are going to work with them to provide, in the words of (NCAA president) Mark Emmert, a safe, respectable environment and the best experience possible for their athletes, fans and everyone taking part in that championship”.

Other sports affected include Division I women’s soccer, Division III men’s and women’s soccer, Division I women’s golf, Division III men’s and women’s tennis, Division I women’s lacrosse and Division II baseball.

“Our women and girls in the state of North Carolina are not for sale”, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest told reporters. I wish the NCAA was this concerned about the women who were raped at Baylor (University). “If the NCAA wants to refuse to hold the tournament in the state with one of the richest collegiate sports histories and the fastest growing economy in the nation, that is their decision”.

“It’s a bathroom situation, you go to the bathroom to go to the bathroom not for a social party”, said Breanna Wiat, ECU sophomore. “The NCAA is punishing the state of North Carolina because it dares to stand up for the commonsense notion that everyone has a right to privacy, decency and safety in bathrooms, showers and locker rooms”. “Once the financial aspect is taken into account, the state will change its stance”, he said.

Entertainers like Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Ringo Starr have canceled plans to play in North Carolina.

The impact is not only felt among college basketball fans, but at local businesses.

The NBA announced its decision to move the All Star Game this week, after state lawmakers left the law largely unchanged following a review.

I urge the NCAA to consider Virginia when deciding where to relocate these championships.

“Our position has been clear on this matter, which is that this legislation is discriminatory, troubling and embarrassing”, White said.

Advertisement

“On a personal note”, he added, “it’s time for this bill to be repealed as it’s counter to basic human rights”.

Tamara Barringer