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North Carolina athletic directors and politicians react to NCAA’s ruling

Wisconsin v Duke

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale talks with athletic director Kevin White of Duke before the NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

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There was plenty of reaction on the NCAA’s decision to remove tournament games from North Carolina on Monday.

The NCAA will relocate all of their championship events scheduled to take place in North Carolina due to the controversial HB2 law, which eliminates protections for the LGBT community and, inside government buildings, makes it unlawful for transgendered people to use a bathroom that differs from the gender listed on their birth certificate.

There were seven events scheduled to take place in North Carolina during the 2016-17 school year, including the NCAA tournament; the 1st and 2nd round games that were supposed to be played in Greensboro, N.C., will be relocated to a site that is still to be determined.

Here is reaction from some of the state’s athletic directors, as well as the North Carolina GOP’s response.

https://audioboom.com/boos/5045908-college-basketball-s-impact-on-hb2-graduate-transfers-trade-deadline

North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham:

“Carolina Athletics is steadfast in its commitment to fairness, inclusion and ensuring that all who come to our campus for athletics events are welcome. We are disappointed for the people of this great state, the communities that are scheduled to play host to these championship events and to the students who may be denied the opportunity to compete for championships in their home state.”

N.C. State athletic director Debbie Yow:

“We’re disappointed to learn of the NCAA’s decision to remove pre-determined Championship events from the state of North Carolina. We certainly hope there will be resolution in the very near future. NC State provides and promotes equal opportunity and non-discrimination to anyone who works, lives, studies, visits of participates in campus events, courses, programs and services.

Duke athletic director Kevin White:

“We agree with the NCAA’s decision. Our position has been clear on this matter which is that this legislation is discriminatory, troubling and embarrassing. We deplore any efforts to deprive individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, of legal protection and rights. We will always be committed to diversify and inclusion, and applaud any efforts to ensure that those values are protected and enacted at all times, and in all places in the state of North Carolina.”

Kami Mueller, Spokesperson, North Carolina GOP

“This is so absurd it’s almost comical. I genuinely look forward to the NCAA merging all men’s and women’s teams together as singular, unified, unisex teams. Under the NCAA’s logic, colleges should make cheerleaders and football players share bathrooms, showers and hotel rooms. This decision is an assault on female athletes across the nation. If you are unwilling to have women’s bathrooms and locker rooms, how do you have a women’s team? I wish the NCAA was this concerned about the women who were raped at Baylor. Perhaps the NCAA should stop with their political peacocking -- and instead focus their energies on making sure our nation’s collegiate athletes are safe, both on and off the field.”