SEC schools will honor scholarships of players who elect not to play sports this fall

Athletes who choose not to participate will remain in good standing with their teams.

If a Southeastern Conference student-athlete doesn't feel comfortable participating in sports this fall due to the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, that player can now choose not to participate and will still have his or her scholarship honored. 

So said the SEC in a Friday announcement. A league statement noted that the action was the result of a unanimous vote from the SEC’s presidents and chancellors following a recommendation of the conference’s athletics directors.

Here is the full release from the SEC:

Southeastern Conference student-athletes who elect to not participate in intercollegiate athletics during the fall 2020 academic semester because of health and/or safety concerns related to COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored by their university and will remain in good standing with their team, the Conference announced 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.