Greg Sankey opened his first Media Days event as the Southeastern Conference's (SEC) commissioner by emphasizing NCAA compliance.
According to USA Today, Sankey said he wants the SEC to set an example for the rest of collegiate athletics both on the playing field and in the classroom. In his address kicking off the conference's annual Media Days event, he said "even one step back" will be unacceptable.
"Our goal is to never return a championship, never pull down a championship banner, never vacate any wins, never have any team banned from postseason play due to NCAA infractions," Sankey told attendees. "We have an opportunity to lead national policy."
Sankey is taking over for Mike Slive, who led the SEC through aggressive growth, especially its football programs. As the Associated Press noted, the SEC is transitioning from one commissioner to another while collegiate athletics are going through changes as well.
For example, the Power Five conferences are to begin offering student-athletes on scholarships with the full cost of attendance. There is also a heightened focus on personal conduct, as student-athletes are becoming more visible and the schools they attend are taking issues like sexual assault and domestic violence more seriously than ever.
At their annual Spring Meetings, the SEC adopted a new rule to block transfers from student-athletes who left their previous school due to domestic violence or sexual assault allegations. The SEC is also trying to foster environments where students want to stay in school long enough to graduate and reap all the rewards a degree can bring.
"Three simple words that define my focus: scholarships, champions and leaders," Sankey said in his address. "Scholars first, champions second."
