Winning team flag to fly over opposing team's City Hall
Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 625.6740
Friday, March 31, 2017 at 9:44 a.m.
Let the Final Four begin. Spokane Mayor David Condon and Columbia, S.C. Mayor Stephen Benjamin have engaged in a friendly, good-natured rivalry ahead of tomorrow’s historic showdown.
Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, and the University of South Carolina, located in Columbia, meet in the first national semifinal tomorrow. In the spirit of competition and excitement for each school’s first Final Four, Spokane and Columbia have agreed to fly the winning team’s flag over City Hall for a day.
“Congratulations to South Carolina on a great season. We’re excited to share the first Final Four for each of our cities with you,” Condon said. “We look forward to seeing the Gonzaga University flag fly victoriously over City Hall in Columbia, S.C.”
“Both our men’s and women’s basketball teams have had an incredible and historic run in this year’s tournament,” said Mayor Benjamin. “We congratulate Gonzaga on a great season, but our Gamecocks are on a roll. The USC flag is already on its way to Spokane.”
Beyond a passion and love for good men’s and women’s basketball programs, Spokane and Columbia share a lot in common. Both have lively downtowns, are experiencing significant economic investment and enjoy natural beauty, including rivers that factor prominently in the identity of the respective cities.
