A press release from the association said that “cumulative actions taken by the state concerning civil rights protections” fueled its decision.
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Emphasizing an “inclusive atmosphere for all college athletes, coaches, administrators and fans”, the NCAA announced it would be pulling seven championships from the state, including a site for the 2017 NCAA Tournament. “Current North Carolina state laws make it challenging to guarantee that host communities can help deliver on that commitment if NCAA events remained in the state”.
The NCAA announced on Monday the relocation of seven previously awarded championship events – including NCAA tournament games in Greensboro – from the state of North Carolina during the 2016-17 academic year as a result of the state’s controversial House Bill 2.
“Fairness is about more than the opportunity to participate in college sports, or even compete for championships”, Mark Emmert, the NCAA president, said in a statement detailing the NCAA’s decision to remove events from North Carolina. The bill also mandates individuals may only use restrooms and changing facilities that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates inside government buildings, which critics say discriminates against transgendered people.
North Carolina laws invalidate any local law that treats sexual orientation as a protected class or has a goal to prevent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals.
In addition, North Carolina lost eight other playoffs: “the 2016 women’s soccer championship in Cary, the D-III men’s and women’s soccer championships in Greensboro, the 2017 women’s golf championship regional in Greenville, the 2017 DIII men’s and women’s tennis championships in Cary, the 2017 D-1 women’s lacrosse championships in Cary, and the 2017 D-II men’s baseball championship in Cary”. Also cited are the five states and other cities that have put in place bans on state-sponsored travel to North Carolina as result of the law. At the Values Voter Summit in D.C. on Friday, North Carolina Gov. Dan Forest, who called the special session that passed the law, promoted the measure as “common sense in America”. A spokesman with McCrory’s office couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Monday evening, but a spokeswoman with the state Republican party blasted the decision in statement, saying it is “so absurd it’s nearly comical”.
“We’re all aware, except for Pat McCrory, that the damage will continue until we take the worst LGBT bill in the nation off the books”, said Chris Sgro, the executive director of Equality NC, an LGBT rights group that has fought against the law.
North Carolina Democratic Party spokesman Dave Miranda released the following statement after the NCAA’s release: “What a disappointment for basketball fans”.
The NCAA made the announcement on Monday evening. We certainly hope there will be resolution in the very near future. “Enough – We need to repeal this law and get our state back on track”.
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The NCAA will determine where to relocate the games “soon”, the group said, but did not provide a timeline.
