Posted on 12/04/2004 7:15:05 PM PST by stainlessbanner
Excerpt - Follow link to read entire article - /stb
COLUMBIA, S.C.--The flag flies high here, a state-sanctioned symbol of hate, supported by stubborn people who refuse to let go of the past. This is the Ball Dude's new home.
The grand 'ole flag, that lovely symbol of racism, war and holocaust, might be the only hiccup in Spurrier's grandiose plan to again dominate the SEC.
The reason why has to do with the recruiting of the elite black athlete. In order to turn South Carolina into an SEC power, Spurrier must pursue this player beyond the Carolinas, where the Gamecocks currently get most of their talent. He must recruit even beyond Florida and Georgia. Since Spurrier's name is one the biggest in college sports, he might be able to do just that.
This is Spurrier's problem. He could be doomed if he attempts to recruit a socially conscious athlete aware of South Carolina's official embrace of the Confederate flag.
Coaches and recruiters from rival schools outside of the state, according to media reports, have for years secretly used the flag issue to steer players from South Carolina to rival programs, including Florida. With Spurrier in the mix, the recruiting will become more competitive, and the flag could be used even more against the Gamecocks.
When speaking to a prospect, Spurrier might overcome flag concerns by explaining the Gamecocks are a family, a team that is some 75 percent black, which cares about all of its players no matter their race, and the flag has nothing to do with the football program. "I don't know what an African-American player from out of state might think of it," said South Carolina freshman offensive lineman James Thompson, who is from Sumter, S.C., "but to the guys on this football team, the Confederate flag is a non-issue."
SC Football + Dixie ping
Wow. That's as nasty as the Morris Dees fanclub of FR.
The grand 'ole flag, that lovely symbol of racism, war and holocaust...
Talk about people who can't let go of the past. The Confederate flag stood for nothing more than States' rights over the claims of the Federal government. The southern states didn't care to have Northeasters telling them how to run their lives. (Sound familiar?)
bah cant these people just leave things be? the battle flag is a symbol of military heratige, never was it flown over any confederate govermental buildings. the past long since put behind us is now being drug up by these people and thrust in our faces. if they ban the rebel flag.. can i get the "peace symbol" banned?
"The grand 'ole flag, that lovely symbol of racism, war and holocaust.."
I disagree strongly. The Confederate Battle flag symbolizes a group of states which disagreed with the Northern states but it does not symbolize racism except perhaps in the minds of small minded people.
Calling Stand Watie. This is your kind of thread.
As far as I know, this this was never an issue with Coach Holtz.
Memo to Mike Freeman:
Nice try. No sale.
What flag is flying from the capital is of no import to the success of South Carolina Football. And the Confederate flag is NOT a symbol of hate or racial superiority of whatever for all of those who fly it. Maybe a few, but that's all.
To avoid hypocrisy, you should call on Florida to forfeit all games scheduled with South Carolina in all sports (and Florida State and Miami while we're at it) and call on the Gators, Noles, and Canes to never set foot in that "hateful" state, nor to pass through it, nor to fly over its air space. Will you?
I'm not sure it is anymore. I just pulled up a picture of the confederate flag, then asked my fiancee (who is black) what she thought of it. She said it reminded her of the "Dukes of Hazzard".
I asked her if she tought of the Civil War or of the racism and slavery that took place then.
She said no, it's just a flag. It's from a darker time in our history, but (she) doesn't see it as racist.
I must say I was a little surprised and pleased at this. Maybe we, as a people, are starting to heal that old wound.
I see quite a few Confederate flags right here in Gainesville. It never stopped Spurrier from getting recruits to my knowledge. I guess its time to relaunch the attack against white southerners since they had such a role in putting Bush back in office. Typical garbage.
Sounds like something you might hear from the mouths of assorted leftist types concerning the American flag.
Add Mississippi State (where UF lost this season) and Ole Miss to.
and he huffed and he puffed
but he couldn't turn the South
back to democrat again...
Haters never win.
Didn't realize that. And I liked Coach Holtz too. Used to coach at NC State. That's too bad.
Bowden and Holtz are not the kind of men I expected to cave to social pressures.
spurrier bump
Secondly, I'm sure there's a very large black population at the University of South Carolina based on the state's demographics alone.
I'm not black but I have coached football and played it in high school. If I was a prospect, I'd be looking at these issues. In no order
1. Is the team a winner or will be a winner in 4 years.
2. Are the coaches and staff right for me.
3. Playing time and at what positions.
4. Parental influence.
5. Weather (Doubly so for me since I am asthmatic)
6. Academics. In case I don't make the pros, I need something to fall back on.
7. Facilities. In my case, I hate artificial turf as it increases injury risk.
8. Distance to friends and family.
9. Is the school atmosphere right for me
Now would the confederate flag trump those seven issues to a recruit? The only POSSIBLY affects is the perception that other top recruits aren't going there to affect one, and maybe parents. A visit would confirm or deny the atmosphere part.
But I can't see anything more important than the coaches and winning.
Great response, Dan from Michigan. Thanks for weighing in and sharing your experience.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.