For the first time in South Carolina's history, the flag of a historically Black college or university (HBCU) is flying above the State House in Columbia. The garnet and blue banner of South Carolina State University was raised on January 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to celebrate the university's national football championship.
The move, approved by Governor Henry McMaster, marks a significant moment of recognition for the institution and the broader HBCU community. The honor follows a request from three state lawmakers after the S.C. State Bulldogs secured the 2025 HBCU National Football Championship title in a dramatic victory.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina State University's flag was flown over the State House on January 19, 2026.
- This is the first time in state history that an HBCU's flag has received this honor.
- The recognition celebrates the S.C. State Bulldogs winning the 2025 HBCU National Football Championship.
- The flag raising coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, adding to its historical significance.
A Championship Worthy of Celebration
The catalyst for this historic event was a remarkable athletic achievement. The South Carolina State Bulldogs football team clinched the HBCU National Championship by defeating Prairie View A&M in the Celebration Bowl in December 2025.
The game was a hard-fought battle, extending into four overtimes before the Bulldogs emerged victorious. This victory not only brought a prestigious title to the Orangeburg-based university but also captured the attention of state leaders, prompting the request to honor the team in a unique and highly visible way.
The Path to Recognition
Following the championship win, a formal request was made by three state lawmakers to have the university's flag flown atop the capitol dome. Governor Henry McMaster granted the request, scheduling the honor for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday celebrating the iconic civil rights leader.
This decision places S.C. State in the company of other major state universities that have received similar honors. In the past, the flags of Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, and Coastal Carolina University have been flown over the State House to commemorate national championships and other significant accomplishments.
A Tradition of Honor
Flying a university's flag over the State House is a reserved honor in South Carolina, typically used to celebrate major athletic or academic achievements that bring national recognition to the state.
More Than Just a Flag
The sight of the S.C. State flag over the capitol holds a symbolism that extends far beyond a football victory. For many, it represents a powerful moment of inclusion and acknowledgment for an institution that has been a cornerstone of Black education and culture in South Carolina for generations.
A ceremony was held at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the flag raising to formally acknowledge the event. University officials, students, alumni, and state leaders gathered to witness and celebrate the milestone. The positive atmosphere highlighted a sense of shared pride in the university's success and its place in the state's history.
A Changing Landscape
This event occurs more than a decade after the Confederate battle flag was permanently removed from the State House grounds in 2015. That flag was first raised over the capitol dome in 1961. The raising of the S.C. State flag is viewed by many as another step forward in representing all of South Carolina's citizens and their achievements.
The Celebration Continues
The recognition for the champion Bulldogs will not end at the State House. Officials have confirmed that the very same flag flown over the capitol will be presented to the football team during a special ceremony.
This presentation is scheduled to take place during the team's official victory parade in their home city of Orangeburg on January 21. The parade will give the local community a chance to celebrate their hometown heroes and see the historic flag firsthand.
"This is a moment of immense pride for our university, our student-athletes, and our entire community. Seeing our flag at the State House validates the hard work and excellence that defines S.C. State," an alumni association representative might say.
The decision to fly the flag on Martin Luther King Jr. Day adds another layer of meaning. It connects the university's modern-day success to the long struggle for equality and recognition that Dr. King championed. For students and alumni of S.C. State, the moment serves as both a celebration of a championship and a powerful symbol of progress and representation in South Carolina.