There are favorable signs, nevertheless. Health of the student-athletes and the staff were pointed out, and Sankey hopes to be able to extend that to the fans.
” We are not at that destination and a number of our coworker conferences are not at that location, so the Big Ten made its choice,” Sankey said of the conference-only format. … I observed that what happened in March was a truly good indicator of what might happen when we look toward the fall, which was groups of universities– conferences– made independent decisions.” The truth that we have seen an increase of cases in the last couple of weeks throughout our region is not a positive sign,” Sankey stated.” It is clear that present situations related to COVID-19 needs to improve and we will continue to closely monitor advancements around the virus on a day-to-day basis,” Sankey stated, per a release. We believe that late July will supply the best clearness for making the essential choices ahead of us.”
The relocation left SEC fans questioning what the conference will provide for the upcoming season.
” We did have two video games to be played with the Pac-12, the USC-Alabama to be set up in Dallas and Colorado and Texas A&M, so weve had very little direct effect on our schedule. We had a call Thursday night with Larry Scott after the Big Ten conversation. Larry gave us a more complete upgrade on some of their scenarios and comprehending their truths within the state of California.”
” What weve recognized is a chance in late July for a crucial check-in to see what our public health reality is.”
According to the release, the athletic directors heard a report from members of the SECs Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force and talked about issues relevant to the present pre-season calendar and the approaching fall seasons of competitors, including an update on existing COVID-19 testing procedures.
” We had a productive meeting on Monday and participated in discussions on a variety of important concerns that will add to crucial decisions to be made in the weeks ahead,” Sankey said about the meeting. “The ability to personally interact throughout a whole day added to the productivity of the conference.”
” My comments over the weekend on Marty and McGee are an indicator the patterns are not what we desire, not what we experienced a bit earlier in the summer, quite in the incorrect direction. Thats troublesome. That doesnt suggest thats the surface line and things wont alter. Weve seen the news around COVID-19 modify itself in various ways over weeks.
Prior to Sankeys appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” the conference of SEC ADs was the first in-person conference of the conferences athletics directors because the SEC Mens Basketball Tournament in Nashville in March.
Still, Sankey pointed to March when conferences decided to call basketball early. It is possible, he said, we are on a similar course for the fall.
” There are any variety of chances to gain from, which is the way weve always seen what would play out,” Sankey informed Finebaum. “You return to April, one of the guiding points from our professor, to take as long as you can in your choices due to the fact that you will have better info.
” Thats a great example of what we could see this summer. Lo and behold, thats what happened. Now, whether we all wind up at the exact same destination is yet to be seen.”
” There needs to be more intent and more concentrate on observing the assistance thats been supplied on distancing, on gathering on face masks, breathing masks, on hand sanitation. We still have a great deal of unknowns. … Those discussions have actually ended with it will be very important to watch what takes place over the next 2 or three weeks. those arent excessively enthusiastic remarks. I want to be clear about that.”
College football scheduling has actually been a hot subject because last week when the Big Ten ended up being the first Power 5 conference to announce it would be playing a conference-only schedule.
Other Pac-12 concerns, Sankey pointed out, were 3 Week 0 video games, which affected Scotts decision.
Amongst the topics discussed were possible scheduling alternatives for holding athletic competition in the fall of 2020.
Greg Sankey isnt in business of predictions.
Hes taking a look at realities. With that said, the SEC commissioner told “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Monday the upward trends of COVID-19 are “bothersome” however also said he feels a “responsibility not to simply state, were done.”
Any prepare for the upcoming college football season as it associates with the schedule will not be made up until late July.
Sankey, after a complete day of meetings with the leagues athletic directors in Birmingham, plans to take as long as possible before a strategy is developed.
The Pac-12 reacted Friday with a comparable move, suggesting Alabamas game with USC on Sept. 5 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is now canceled.
” We are not at that destination and a number of our associate conferences are not at that destination, so the Big Ten made its decision,” Sankey stated of the conference-only format. “We have no typical video games with the Big Ten Conference this year, just one of the truths in our schedule. The impact of their decision is indirect.
Mark Heim is a sports press reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
” It is clear that existing circumstances related to COVID-19 should enhance and we will continue to carefully keep track of advancements around the infection every day,” Sankey stated, per a release. “In the coming weeks we will continue to satisfy regularly with campus leaders via videoconferences and gather relevant info while guided by medical consultants. We think that late July will provide the very best clarity for making the important choices ahead of us.”
” I do not know if it is every conference for ourselves, however certainly individuals made decisions,” Sankey said when inquired about the Big Ten deciding independent of the other Power 5 conferences. “… I observed that what happened in March was an actually excellent indication of what might happen when we look towards the fall, which was groups of universities– conferences– made independent choices. Now, we all ended up at the same location.
The SEC, ACC and Big 12 have corresponded in their stances, Sankey said, to “utilize time to the level it is available to collect information.”
” The fact that we have actually seen an increase of cases in the last few weeks across our region is not a positive sign,” Sankey stated. I will not offer a number.
ACC commissioner John Swofford late recently echoed the very same beliefs.
