SEC Announces Delayed Start Of 2020 Football Season
The Southeastern Conference will kick off its 2020 football season on September 26 as it monitors the spread of COVID-19, three weeks later than the original planned start on Labor Day weekend.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced plans Thursday for a 10-game conference-only schedule this fall. He said the delayed start will allow SEC schools to focus on the healthy return of students and staff, factoring in a gradual return to athletics.
“After careful consideration of the public health indicators in our region and following advice of our medical advisors, we have determined that this is the best course of action to prepare for a safe and healthy return to competition for SEC student-athletes, coaches and others associated with our sports programs,” Sankey said in a statement.
The commissioner said the schedule supports safety measures being implemented at SEC schools amid the coronavirus pandemic. The SEC will limit competition to conference-only opponents. The move could save the SEC millions of dollars by eliminating “buy games.”
“This new plan for a football schedule is consistent with the educational goals of our universities to allow for the safe and orderly return to campus of their student populations and to provide a healthy learning environment during these unique circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus,” Sankey said. “This new schedule supports the safety measures that are being taken by each of our institutions to ensure the health of our campus communities.”
The SEC football championship is slated for December 19 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Officials said the schedule adjustments offer the best opportunity to complete a full season, allowing opportunities to adapt given the fluid nature of the virus.
Man featured in ‘S-Town’ podcast shot and killed by police during standoff, authorities say
Joseph Tyler Goodson, 32, of Woodstock, was shot and killed by officers after he barricaded himself inside a home and “brandished a gun" at officers early Sunday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.
The next Republican debate is in Alabama, the state that gave the GOP a road map to Donald Trump
The state that propelled George Wallace, a Democrat and four-term governor, into national politics is now dominated by Republicans loyal to Donald Trump, another figure who leans heavily on grievance and white identity politics.
Alabama makes the College Football Playoff
Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama were selected Sunday and Florida State became the first unbeaten Power Five conference champion to be excluded from the field.
LGBTQ community finds a home in Birmingham’s punk scene
Plenty of people are familiar with the sound and look of punk. But not as many are familiar with the importance of compassion when it comes to being a punk. That's meant the punk scene has become a refuge for some LGTBQ individuals.
She owed $7K due to a water leak. Her utility saw the signs but didn’t tell her
Birmingham Water Works flagged Claire Ahalt’s account for unusually high water use, but she did not find out until asking a utility worker weeks later.
City OK’s $5 million to help keep Birmingham-Southern College open
BSC President Daniel Coleman said in a statement that next he’ll ask Jefferson County to meet the city’s commitment, focus on private donors and reengage with state leaders to work on getting more funding.
