‘Tremendous pride and joy’: History unfurls as SC State flag flies over State House

               

Video: The SC State Bulldogs Athletics flag flies above the State House in Columbia, a first for the university and any HBCU.

Flag raising on MLK Day celebrates national title and statewide recognition

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On a day steeped in reflection and legacy, South Carolina State University made history Monday as its flag flew atop the State House for the first time — the inaugural appearance of an HBCU banner above the Capitol.

The brisk temperature did not deter a throng of SC State supporters who gathered at the State House steps to witness the historic moment.

The Bulldog Athletics flag was raised on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in celebration of the HBCU national football championship victory that the SC State football team secured against Prairie View A&M University during the 10th annual Celebration Bowl held Dec. 13 in Atlanta.

“First of all, it recognized our national championship victory. Secondly, for the governor and the General Assembly to honor the request, it sends a message that excellence is recognized regardless of where that excellence may reside,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said.

“For this moment, it resides in Orangeburg on the campus of South Carolina State University. I am tremendously proud of my team and our entire university and its accomplishments. For this flag to fly as we enter our 130th year of existence brings me tremendous pride and joy for scores of graduates,” he said.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster approved a request to raise the SC State flag above the State House dome, the first time an HBCU flag has ever flown atop the State House.

“I’m grateful that Gov. McMaster and the General Assembly recognize this excellence,” Conyers said.

Alumni make, witness history

LaKeisha Adams and LaDaisia Glen were among the SC State alumni who gathered at the State House for a program celebrating the university’s championship win.

Both were math education majors at SC State, with Adams graduating in 2003 and Glen in 2009.

“I just like the fact that we’re recognized statewide as champions,” Glen said.

“I feel the same,” Adams said. “It’s just the public acknowledgment of a job well done.”

State Rep. Hamilton Grant and Sen. Deon Tedder, both SC State alumni, requested that the university’s flag be flown to celebrate SC State’s football victory.

Tedder said the request was made to “recognize the football team for what they deserve for bringing a championship home, the only football team in South Carolina this year to bring a national championship home.” 

“I think it was good to recognize them, but also as a former student of South Carolina State and knowing people typically in the past try to downplay HBCUs,” Tedder said. “It’s really good for our students to see their university that they go to in Orangeburg, South Carolina, symbolized on the top of the State House, where laws are enacted. A lot of historical things happen in this building.

“So that just encourages them, but it also reminds them that South Carolina State is a great institution. The students matter, and they will always matter,” he said.

During the program, Tedder said it was befitting to honor the university on MLK Day because the civil rights pioneer saw education as the pathway to freedom and opportunity.

Why not us?

Grant said the university deserved to be recognized for its championship victory.

“Coastal Carolina University, the University of South Carolina, Clemson University — all national champions. We’re all very proud of their accomplishment. Why not us?” he said. 

“I felt a little type of way when it didn’t go up in 2021, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m now in the General Assembly, and I have the opportunity to ask for that. I’d much rather ask, and somebody tell me no than to ask, ‘What if?’ So why not now?”

Grant said the university meant a lot to him. 

“South Carolina State personally has meant the world to me. So many things have been infused and embedded into me because of this institution. Just personally with my matriculation, I tell folks my leadership style comes from being a drum major on the Marching 101,” he said.

The winning coach’s perspective

SC State head football coach Chennis Berry recognized members of his coaching staff and two players who joined the platform party on the steps of the State House before offering his thoughts about the significance of the occasion.

“It’s truly a blessing and an honor to be a part of history in the great state of South Carolina,” Berry said.

He said he encourages his team to “speak what you seek until you see what you said,” noting that his team never gave up or stopped believing in their potential.

The coach said his team manifested the Biblical words in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.”

“That’s why we’re standing here today,” Berry said.

Student and supporters share an inspiring moment 

“It’s a real honor to come out here to really support a very momentous moment for our school,” said SC State junior Trey Newton, who serves as Mr. Junior in the SC State University Royal Court. “It’s momentous not only for our school, but the history of the state, as well. Being the first HBCU to fly their flag on the Capitol. Just being a typical student leader, I’m happy to actually be here to see the moment happen live.”

Tyrone White, a 1998 SC State alumnus, was also in attendance at the State House.

“I came out to celebrate and support our team on their win. I’m glad that they’re flying our flag, and it’s just a great day to be a Bulldog,” White said. “It’s nothing like an HBCU. When I was in the seventh grade, I went to a South Carolina State game. That’s what inspired me to want to be a student there and be a part of the rich legacy of South Carolina State.”

Latonya Dash, who graduated from SC State in 2003 with a degree in physical education, was also on hand to celebrate the university’s championship win and its flag flying atop the State House. 

“I came to support the greatest public HBCU in South Carolina, number one, and it’s a milestone because this is the first time in history that our flag has flown over the State Capitol. This is a God moment. Only a big God can allow a big moment like this to happen,” Dash said. 

Bulldog tenacity on full display

Miss SC State Olivia Ratliff served as the mistress of ceremonies for the recognition program. She said the event was a “powerful example of excellence, resilience and Bulldog pride.” 

SC State University National Alumni Association President Yolanda Williams and SC State Student Government Association President Zaria Tucker were among the program speakers.

Williams told Berry that the championship win in four overtimes after having fallen behind 21-0 at halftime was “Bulldog tenacity on full display.”

“We know what it means to push forward when things aren’t easy,” Williams said.

Tucker said the university’s recognition was an example of its “progress, pride and purpose,”

SC State Board of Trustees Chairman Douglas Gantt and Charles Smalls, an alumnus who graduated in 1959, also spoke during the ceremony. 

Smalls said the university was an institution of excellence that had produced several notable alumni.

Despite obstacles, “we carried ourselves with pride,” he said, noting that the flying of the university’s flag atop the State House was a “long overdue representation” of unity that the state should exemplify.

Gantt said the university’s championship win was an example of excellence, perseverance and pride.

The university will have a national championship parade at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. The parade starts at the Orangeburg County Library and finishes at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, where a program will be held to honor the championship football team.