The NCAA will discuss Mississippi’s state flag again next week. The discussion could possibly result in a decision that would make it impossible for merit-based postseason events to be played in our state.Currently, Mississippi can’t host predetermined NCAA championships. However, if a Mississippi team does well in season play, then it could receive homefield advantage in the postseason.
But the Minority Opportunity and Interests Committee wants to take that right away as well. The NCAA created the MOIC to focus on diversity in intercollegiate athletics.
We think that the NCAA should stick to sports and stay out of politics. Although it’s true that our state flag can be perceived as racist, there were people in the state who tried to change that. However, the endeavor failed.
Therefore, if the NCAA takes away all of Mississippi’s postseason opportunities to host games, it is punishing the universities for something they had nothing to do with. Mississippi citizens voted to keep the state flag, and it’s wrong to punish colleges, players and students because of a piece of cloth that some Mississippians don’t want.
Why doesn’t the NCAA note that Mississippi State is the only school in its conference that has a black head coach? We have made progress in this state, yet the NCAA only focuses on a flag that should be forgotten. It’s part of the past. Let’s leave it there.
Perhaps something positive could happen if the NCAA decides to go with a full ban. Maybe our legislature will get the message: Mississippi is too poor to drive away business with a flag.