SEC's Mississippi ultimatum: Change state flag, or face consequences
The Southeastern Conference says if Mississippi doesn't change its state flag, it may no longer hold championships in the state.
Mississippi State and the University of Mississippi responded, pointing out the state flag is beyond their control.
The Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement threatening to suspend championship sporting events in Mississippi, unless the state changes its state flag, to make an environment that’s “inclusive and welcoming to all.”
“In the event there is no change, there will be consideration of precluding Southeastern Conference championship events from being conducted in the State of Mississippi unil the state flag is changed,” Sankey wrote in a statement released Thursday.
Statement from @SEC Commissioner @GregSankey on State of Mississippi flag pic.twitter.com/BR5Ei1l17X
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) June 18, 2020
Mississippi State President Mark Keenum responded that the “university administration has been firmly on record in support of changing the state flag.” Keenum has been contacting state officials, and agrees that the state should have a “renewed, respectful debate on this issue.”
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Sankey’s possible ban on Mississippi from hosting the SEC championship leaves Keenum concerned “that this debate may produce unintended consequences for our student athletes.”
“There may be similar unintended consequences for academic pursuits at all our state’s public universities,” Keenum wrote, “and negative economic impacts on the state’s communities.”
University of Mississippi Chancellor Keith Carter and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletic Keith Carter also released a message condemning any association between the state flag and the university’s values. Back in 2015, the university decided to stop flying the state flag on campus grounds.
A message from Chancellor Glenn Boyce and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter. pic.twitter.com/gqJxxj6ca6
— Ole Miss Athletics (@OleMissSports) June 19, 2020
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John Cohen, athletic director at Mississippi State University, wrote that the university is disappointed by the SEC’s statement.
While the administration supports making changes to the state flag, it is concerned that “student-athletes and coaches will potentially be affected by something outside of their control.”
— John Cohen (@JohnCohenAD) June 18, 2020
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @KestecherLacey
