SEC Announces Scholarships Won't Be Affected for Players Who Elect Not to Play Due to COVID-19 Concerns

LSU athletic director Scott Woodward says Tigers were at the forefront of the idea.

On Friday, the SEC announced that student-athletes who wish to not participate in college athletics this fall due to COVID-19 concerns will keep their college scholarships.

The action was advised by the conference presidents and athletic directors and passed by a unanimous vote.

"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."

LSU athletic director Scott Woodward released a statement shortly after the news was released by the conference.

“I’m proud LSU was at the forefront of this measure. Our message to our student-athletes must be clear and unequivocal – we support you and we will stand by you in your decision making during this time whether you can compete or not," Woodward said. "Your scholarship and the education and opportunities it affords will be protected here at LSU and across the SEC.”

The conference is expected to make a decision later this month on the future of college football in the SEC with three options presenting as the most likely scenarios. The three models the conference is considering include an all-conference schedule--a decision the Big Ten conference decided to move forward with last week--as well as a nine or 10-game schedule that would preserve at least one non-conference game. 

"We’ve gone in the wrong direction and that’s problematic. That doesn’t mean that’s the finish line and things will never change. We’ve seen the news around COVID-19 alter itself in different ways over a number of weeks," Sankey said. "And so what we’ve identified is an opportunity in late July for an important check in to see our public health reality. We were told from the beginning to take as much time as possible to make a better decision."