News broke this past week that the NBA will be moving its 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, North Carolina to an undecided location. The move is in response to North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which limits protection against discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the state.
Initially met with disappointment for the city of Charlotte but applause for the stand taken by the NBA, players have been supportive of the NBA’s decision. Furthermore, local college coaches Mike Krzyzewski of Duke and Mark Gottfried of N.C. State have denounced the bill, calling it “embarrassing” and “appalling”, respectively. Roy Williams of the University of North Carolina also derided HB2, claiming he, his university, and his program are “about diversity, and always will be.”
However, despite Williams, Krzyzewski, and Gottfried’s objections to the bill, at this point, the NCAA has over a dozen championship events scheduled for 2017 and 2018 in North Carolina. Word of change has not been released, and those decrying HB2 might be left wanting. Considering the segmented nature of the NCAA, with member institutions as partially-autonomous but still under the NCAA umbrella, an overarching decree like that from the NBA might not be forthcoming.
Clearly, if Williams, Krzyzewski, or Gottfried feel truly motivated to fight HB2, they have a tremendous platform and opportunity to call attention to their cause. Unfortunately, making the strongest possible statement probably comes in the form of boycott, something that might be untenable for perennial title contenders.
Furthermore, North Carolina-based basketball programs might also feel conflicted pushing too hard for the NCAA to relocate basketball championship events considering the significant advantage the schools have enjoyed by hosting the first rounds of March Madness in their home state. North Carolina has been home to rounds of the NCAA tournament seventeen of the past twenty years, and UNC is 33-1 in tournament games played within the state.
This puts institutions in a difficult spot. On the one hand, universities are supposed to be bastions of inclusion and diversity, standing on principles that are in direct opposition to HB2. However, withdrawing from championship competitions and punishing student-athletes, regardless of the sport, are difficult calls to make for head coaches and athletic departments, especially considering the uncertainty of their efficacy in the larger legislative fight.
North Carolina colleges and universities have the clout in North Carolina to make waves with their athletic programs. Unfortunately, those schools also have a tremendous amount to lose by taking a hardline stance around NCAA championship events. If truly desirous of change regarding HB2, Williams, Krzyzewski, Gottfried, and all North Carolina coaches, regardless of sport, must take a hard look at how they can use their substantial influence to not only impact society but also do right by their student-athletes.
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