Something, anything to talk about besides Nick Saban.... http://www.secsports.com/index.php?..._channel_id=4898&url_subchannel_id=&well_id=2 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The institutions of the Southeastern Conference have approved new sportsmanship policies designed to limit access to competition areas for all sports, the league announced Tuesday. The policy, which went into effect on Dec. 1, states that "access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals at all time. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area." The policy imposes significant institutional financial penalties for violations in the sports of football, men's and women's basketball, at the discretion of the Commissioner. Institutional financial penalties range from $5,000 for a first offense to fines of up to $25,000 for a second offense and up to $50,000 for a third and subsequent offense. "This policy is designed to create a safe environment for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "Our institutions felt that this was a step that needed to be taken to insure a safe atmosphere at all of our intercollegiate athletics events." In addition to the financial penalties, the new policy also provides for institutions to penalize violators for entering the competition area with expulsion from the facility, arrest for trespassing and the loss of future ticket privileges. Violators who are students may be subject to institutional student disciplinary measures. Institutions are responsible for publicizing and enforcing the policy, as well as the penalties associated with the violations.
