UGA President Jere Morehead during Saturday’s game against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October, 17, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by John Kelley)
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sankey announced in July 2015 at the SEC’s annual Football Media Days that he would convene the SEC Working Group on Compliance, Enforcement and Governance, a collection of campus leaders to review and discuss NCAA issues.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “This working group will work to renew and strengthen the commitment the Conference membership made more than 12 years ago to a culture of compliance in the SEC,” said Sankey. “These campus leaders will review and update the principles which formed the foundation of that commitment and establish effective procedures for the SEC’s participation in the new NCAA governance structure.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] Remaining members of the working group are Dr. Stuart R. Bell, President, University of Alabama; Mitch Barnhart, Director of Athletics, University of Kentucky; Ray Tanner, Director of Athletics, University of South Carolina; Dr. Michael Sagas, Faculty Athletics Representative, University of Florida; Ron Rychlak, Faculty Athletics Representative, University of Mississippi; Samantha Huge, Senior Woman Administrator, Texas A&M University; Rich McGlynn, Executive Associate Athletics Director (Compliance), Auburn University; and Jon Fagg, Senior Associate Athletics Director (Compliance), University of Arkansas.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “Compliance with NCAA regulations and the development of processes for effective participation by the SEC in NCAA governance are critical to the future of this Conference,” said Morehead. “This working group is a proactive initiative to put the SEC in position to be a leader for many years to come in the development and enforcement of NCAA rules and regulations while solidifying our culture of compliance with those rules.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] The working group will develop new strategies for renewing and strengthening the Conference-wide commitment to NCAA compliance while continuing to fulfill the Conference competitive objectives.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Also, the group will review the updated enforcement model, which is expected to include dialogue with the NCAA Vice President for Enforcement; establish best practices for enforcement within the SEC; and update minimum penalties established by the Conference for certain Level III and Level IV rules violations.
[su_spacer size=”40″] In addition, the group will develop strategies intended to enhance the Conference legislative process, including development of a proactive legislative agenda to be advanced by the SEC. The group will analyze the new NCAA governance structure and its implications for the SEC, with the purpose of developing meeting schedules, committee participation, policy development and effective communication strategies.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The group will also seek to improve interaction among the Autonomy conferences as part of the NCAA legislative and governance process and address other related issues as determined by the working group.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Updates will be provided to key SEC leadership groups at regular intervals, with an initial report submitted for review and discussion by the SEC membership in the spring of 2016 with the working group expected to conclude its work prior to the SEC’s Spring Meetings in 2017.
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