Take note, Roger Goodell.
Southeastern Conference presidents and chancellors joined forces to adopt a new policy that prevents student-athletes with domestic violence or sexual assault histories from transferring to their schools.
The new policy was first proposed by the University of Georgia and states “a transfer student-athlete who has been subject to official university of athletics department disciplinary action at any time during enrollment at any previous collegiate institution (excluding limited discipline applied by a sports team or temporary disciplinary action during an investigation) due to serious misconduct (as defined herein) shall not be eligible for athletically-related financial aid, practice or competition at an SEC member institution,” per ESPN.
Greg Sankey, who started as league commissioner Monday, and other conference members had little faith the presidents could come together and agree on a league-wide policy, but there were “healthy conversations,” per ESPN, and the group eventually found common ground.
While the policy prevents players with a violent background from transferring, if said player is found innocent of the charges, Sankey possesses the ability to approve a transfer via waiver.
The SEC is the first collegiate conference to adopt such a policy.
“I think it’s a reflection of the conference feeling this is the right step for the Southeastern Conference,” Sankey said.
Thumbnail photo via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports
