BIRMINGHAM — The Southeastern Conference announced March 17 that all spring football games will be canceled and there will not be any pro days conducted by SEC institutions.
In addition, the SEC announced that all regular season conference and non-conference competitions are canceled for the remainder of the 2019-20 athletic year.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey took part in a teleconference Wednesday to discuss athletics during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sankey mentioned that although spring football games have been canceled, practices could still happen.
“It does not apply to spring practices at this time, and I think that’s the important qualifying phrase,” Sankey said. “We have said, no athletic activities through April 15. That doesn’t mean we’ll be back to normal or to practice activities April 16, it was just a date that allows our administrators to communicate with our coaches, our coaches with their student athletes, has resulted in – in the departures from campus.
“If you look at the national public messaging about no gatherings above 50, (it is) certainly difficult to conduct any football practice under that limitation, and even with smaller numbers, it had been communicated 10, as often referenced, thereby making it impossible into May, has been stated. So, I’m not going to be overly optimistic about the return to practice. We haven’t fully foreclosed that opportunity, but I think practically that window’s pretty narrow.”
Tennessee kicked off spring football practices March 10. The Vols took part in its second practice March 12 before spring break and the SEC halting activities until at least April 15.