SC State Flag Flies Over Statehouse After Championship Win

South Carolina made history this week when South Carolina State University's flag rose over the State House dome for the first time ever, celebrating the Bulldogs' stunning championship victory.

The Orangeburg-based HBCU defeated Prairie View A&M 40-38 in four overtimes on Saturday to win the Celebration Bowl, the national championship for historically black colleges and universities. Ryan Stubblefield connected with Jordan Smith on a two-point conversion in the fourth overtime to seal the dramatic win.

But the celebration didn't stop at the final whistle. Governor Henry McMaster approved raising the university's flag over the capitol in Columbia, marking the first time an HBCU flag has flown there in the state's history.

State Senator Deon Tedder, an SC State alum who pushed for the flag raising, tied the moment to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision. "That matters because Dr. King deeply believed in education as a pathway to freedom, dignity, and opportunity," he said Monday during the flag ceremony.

Miss South Carolina State University Olivia Ruff called it "a powerful symbol of excellence, resilience and bulldog pride." She added that the achievement reflects the discipline and determination that define the university both on and off the field.

The Ripple Effect

The victory parade Wednesday afternoon drew thousands to Orangeburg, winding from the county library to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Students, alumni, and community members lined the streets to celebrate not just a football victory, but a historic moment of recognition for HBCUs statewide.

University President Alexander Conyers and other speakers emphasized that this championship represents something larger than sports. It showcases the excellence happening at historically black institutions and the talented students who choose to pursue their dreams there.

The Bulldogs will receive the historic State House flag during their victory parade, a keepsake that will forever represent this groundbreaking moment. For a university and community that has long fought for recognition, seeing their colors fly over the state capitol sends a powerful message about perseverance and achievement.

Sometimes a championship trophy comes with something even more valuable: long-overdue recognition.