Posted on 09/05/2005 4:53:21 AM PDT by Colonel Kangaroo
No Rebel rousing: Clinton High forbids Confederate flag at tonight's game 2005-09-02
From Staff Reports
Clinton High School officials have asked Maryville fans to refrain from bringing or waving any Rebel flags at the two schools' high school football game tonight. Kickoff in Clinton is at 7:30.
While the Maryville Board of Education this summer adopted a ban on the besieged flag at its home games, Rebels fans lustily waved the spirit symbol during last week's 41-21 win at rival Alcoa.
Clinton officials made the request in an effort to honor the school's heritage, according to Dragons athletics director Jim Davis.
``The reason we are making the request is because of the rich cultural heritage concerning the integration of our school,'' Davis told The Daily Times on Thursday. ``We were the first-ever school to integrate below the Mason-Dixon line, and we want to honor our school's and our community's heritage.''
Davis said Clinton City Schools Superintendent V.L. Stonecipher made the request to him. Davis, in turn, contacted Maryville's administration and said he received immediate support. Maryville officials told students of the policy Wednesday afternoon.
``The two principals of the schools have talked and assured that it would be fine,'' he said.
While actual flags have been banned, Maryville supporters will be permitted to wear articles of clothing that display the flag.
``Fans are welcome to wear anything they wish to the game,'' Davis said, ``but if Rebel flag waving takes place inside the gates of the game, those people will be asked to leave. We've put up signs outside the fence that say, `Please, no Rebel flags.' I've been instructed by the superintendent to not let anyone into the game who is in possession of a Rebel flag.''
Tonight's game marks the second-consecutive road contest for the defending 4A state champion Rebels, who open their home schedule next week against Blount County foe Heritage. Clinton, 1-9 a year ago, lost 74-0 last week to Oak Ridge.
To be precise, Maryville Tennessee was an area with strong Unionist sympathies during the Civil War, so they really shouldn't fly the rebel flag there either if they're concerned about heritage.
Why isn't the ACLU fighting for their freedom of expression? I don't understand.
As a footnote, Maryville won the game 37-0.
Well, the US flag flew over a slave nation for 85 yrs. Then it flew over a legally segregated nation for another 87 yrs. The Confederate flag flew over a legally segregated and a slave nation for 4 yrs.
Was there a banning of the US flag too?
More PC crap.
37-0! WTG, Maryville. Hope you all waved flags on the way through town and you made the drag 3-4 times with them.
Screw them. Wave the flag. Better yet...hire a crop duster to fly over the field with a HUGE rebel flag.
"Maryville won the game 37-0."
Good! Make them mad again next year.
they should all bring flags that say "the south say rise again !" or something :)
37-0. Not surprising that Clinton High School played like a bunch of pansies.
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