Southeastern Conference student-athletes who elect to not participate in intercollegiate athletics during the fall 2020 academic semester because of health or safety concerns related to COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored by their respective universities and will remain in good standing with their teams, according to a statement posted on the conference website Friday.
The action is the result of a unanimous vote of the SEC's presidents and chancellors following a recommendation of the conference's athletics directors.
"SEC universities are committed to full support of its student-athletes, whether or not a student-athlete decides to participate in sports during these uncertain times," said SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. "SEC student-athletes have frequently expressed their desire to compete, but it is important for student-athletes and their families to know the financial support committed to them by their institutions will not be at risk because of health concerns presented by the current pandemic."
The SEC will continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19 to determine at a later date if the policy should be extended to the Spring semester of 2021 or beyond, the statement said.
According to the Opelika-Auburn News, the SEC has targeted late July for decision-making regarding fall sports, after the Big Ten and the Pac 12 announced its teams will only play conference games this fall, if at all, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
