![]() ![]() The statement explained why Mississippi schools stopped raising the state flag and called for a new flag that “unites Mississippians, rather than divides us.” ![]() USM athletic director Jeremy McClain agreed with the need to update the state flag and issued a tweet linking to a joint statement from the leaders of Mississippi public universities. The conference was not scheduled to have any championships in Mississippi during the 2020-21 athletic season, but USM could have hosted in football, volleyball, or men’s golf if they had gained the #1 seed. The University of Southern Mississippi was the only C-USA school affected by the prohibition. “The C-USA Board of Directors approved the prohibition of all conference championship events in the state of Mississippi until the confederate emblem is removed from the state flag,” C-USA commissioner Judy MacLeod announced. The decision came after Conference USA announced June 22, that due to the confederate emblem on Mississippi’s state flag, it had suspended conference championships in the state. If they send me a bill this weekend, I will sign it,” Reeves posted. “The argument over the 1894 flag has become as divisive as the flag itself and it’s time to end it. On Saturday, Reeves posted on Facebook that, were the bill to pass, he would agree to sign it into law. ![]() However, over the course of six days, Reeves had a change of heart. Tate Reeves saying “Over the last several years, I have repeatedly warned my fellow Mississippians that any attempt to change the current Mississippi flag by a few politicians in the Capitol will be met with much contempt.” Hill’s ultimatum was made in response to a tweet from Mississippi Gov. ” Hill tweeted Sunday evening in support of the move. “Big salute to EVERY university in this State that helped. I’m tired,” Hill said on June 22, later following up with, “Unlike rest I was born in this state and I know what the flag mean.” “Either change the flag or I won’t be representing this State anymore & I meant that. Hill, who led MSU in rushing in 2019 with 1,350 yards, had chosen not to enter the 2020 NFL Draft in order to return for his final season at MSU. The change of the flag will be a welcome move to MSU senior running back Kylin Hill, who had announced via Twitter that he would not represent the state of Mississippi unless the flag was changed. Sunday’s decision from Mississippi’s state legislature was a decisive one, passing 91-23 in the House and 37-14 in the Senate. Mississippi did not host and was not scheduled to host any SEC championships during the 2019-20 season, which was shortened due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Confederate emblem in the state’s flag was previously condemned by both the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, the only Mississippi schools in the SEC. Today’s action is welcomed in the spirit of this goal,” Sankey said.īoth of the SEC’s Mississippi schools, the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, praised the decision, calling it the “right thing to do” and an “important and common cause to move away from a divisive flag. As I have frequently said, our students deserve the opportunity to learn and compete in welcoming environments. “I am also grateful for Governor Reeves’ openness to sign a bill to change the flag. “The agreement to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the flag is a positive and appropriate action, and I applaud the Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate for today’s action,” said Sankey. “I am proud of our universities’ leadership, and the engagement of student-athletes and coaches in the efforts to change the State of Mississippi flag,” said Sankey in a tweet posted by the SEC Sunday evening. Southeastern Conference (SEC) Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement Sunday on Mississippi’s decision to remove the Confederate emblem from the state flag. After pressure from the world of collegiate sports, the state of Mississippi is on track to change its flag, the only state flag left that still bears a Confederate emblem. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |