BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference has canceled its spring meetings because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Commissioner Greg Sankey announced the move Tuesday and said the league will figure out a different way to meet to consider SEC operations and how to recognize award winners.
The SEC meetings have been held annually the last week of May in Destin, Florida, since 1985.

“The SEC Spring Meetings represent one of our Conference’s great traditions and provide an opportunity to celebrate the past year, plan for the future and focus on our mission to serve people through our universities,” Sankey said in a statement. “We regret this year’s event will not be held as planned, but we know cancellation is appropriate in the light of supporting safety and well-being during this unprecedented public health crisis.”

The SEC Spring Meetings serve to bring together university presidents and chancellors, athletics directors, student-athletes, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics representatives, communications directors, and head coaches in the sports of football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. The meetings are designed to help shape the rules, regulations and overall strategy for the conference.

Sankey did not specify how the meetings would proceed, but said league officials are working on it.

In addition to the meetings and work conducted during the four-day event, the SEC recognizes the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar Athletes of the Year, the Brad Davis Community Service Leaders of the Year and the SEC Professor of the Year.

“We are currently exploring ways to conduct as many of the planned meetings in an alternate format and time,” Sankey added. “We will be intentional to celebrate all of the remarkable individuals who would otherwise have been honored at our annual SEC Awards Dinner.”

The SEC has not released an update on its football Media Days, which are scheduled for July 13-16 in Atlanta.