Mandrallius Robinson

Sports Columnist

After waiting nearly 15 years, Greenville did not wait for an invitation.

Earlier this summer, entertaining the possibility that the NCAA could pull events out of North Carolina for the current academic year, the Greenville visitors bureau, VisitGreenvilleSC, gauged local hotels and venues for interest and availability.

“Some members in the community were proactive,” VisitGreenvilleSC vice president of sales David Montgomery said. “They reached out to partners and discussed, if this was an option, would we be able to bid.”

Last week, the NCAA extended the invitation. It announced plans to relocate seven championship events from North Carolina, as a direct denouncement of House Bill 2.

Among those events were the opening two rounds of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, previously awarded to Greensboro. A local organizing committee, composed of VisitGreenvilleSC, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Furman University and the Southern Conference, will bid to relocate the event to Greenville.

The bid must be submitted by Sept. 27. The NCAA has informed bidding groups that its decision will be revealed on Oct. 7.

“It's certainly good for our blood pressure,” Furman University athletics director Mike Buddie said of the brief wait for the announcement. “This is all uncharted territory, not only for the NCAA but for most of us, to have such a quick turnaround.”

SC could make a good replacement host for NCAA

Greenville last hosted the NCAA men’s tournament in 2002. For the next 14 years, the NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference boycotted South Carolina in protest of the Confederate flag flying at the Statehouse. The flag was lowered last year, and the boycotts were lifted.

In August, the same Greenville organizing group submitted bids for the next full cycle, 2019 to 2022.

“Having just completed the process for future years has made this bid much easier,” Beth Paul, general manager of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, said. “There was some effort to make sure the dates were cleared. We're in great shape now. The timing is really strong and really favorable for us.”

The NCAA recently streamlined the bidding process. Interested cities submit information— including hotel availability, financial estimates, amenities and accessibility— through an online portal.

“They've encouraged people to stop sending 800-page glossy brochures,” Buddie said with a laugh. “We’ve just tried to convey all the information as succinctly and legitimately as we can.

“Our biggest concern is to make sure, if we're going to bid, that we're in a position to do it and do it extremely well. We want be an annual host and show the NCAA that we know what we're doing.”

Columbia and the Colonial Life Arena are considering the possibility of submitting a bid. Several venues from Providence, Rhode Island to Orlando will also pursue the open slot.

Columbia could join hunt to host NCAA postseason tournaments

“To be awarded a bid is a real honor and a privilege, and it's something that many communities are competing for,” Paul said, “So, I would say that I'm cautiously optimistic.”

Signed into law in March, House Bill 2 restricts cities and counties from legislating protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also stipulates that citizens must use the public restrooms and changing facilities that correspond to their biological sex.

Contending that the law discriminates against transgender citizens, the NCAA followed the National Basketball Association out of North Carolina. The NBA moved its All-Star Weekend from Charlotte. Last Wednesday, the Atlantic Coast Conference, headquartered in Greensboro, announced it also would move its championships from the state.

According to Buddie, SoCon administrators are discussing the possibility of relocating its championships as well. Asheville is scheduled to host the league’s basketball tournaments March 2-6. Greenville will not be a viable relocation site, as it has committed to host the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball tournament that same weekend.

Yet, the timing is auspicious for Greenville to host March Madness in Greensboro’s place.

South Carolina is returning from NCAA exile at the same time its neighbor is speeding into it.

“It could be to our benefit,” Montgomery said. “If they are really making a statement by pulling out of North Carolina because of HB2, I think there's an opportunity for them to quickly reward someone who's made some changes on legislation that they've requested.”

Could NCAA events relocate to Greenville?