SEC bans transfers who were dismissed for ‘serious misconduct’
DESTIN, Fla. - In an acknowledgement of the national climate toward domestic violence, and in reaction to a specific situation this year, the SEC made a major move on Friday.
The conference adopted a Georgia proposal to ban transfers of players who have been dismissed by their former school for “serious misconduct.”
Such misconduct is outlined as sexual assault, domestic violence or other forms of sexual violence. It does not specify felonies or misdemeanors.
But the “trigger point” for the rule, according to incoming commissioner Greg Sankey, is if the player had (according to the new bylaw) “been subject to official university or athletics department disciplinary action at any time” at his previous school.
The passage of the rule was somewhat a surprise, as many around the SEC had expressed reservations. But Sankey indicated the final vote wasn’t close.
“The sentiment was very clear. There wasn’t a lot of debate at the end,” Sankey said.
Georgia’s proposal was sparked by the situation revolving around John Taylor, a defensive lineman who was dismissed by Georgia after a domestic violence charge. He transferred to Alabama, despite the charges in Athens still being pending, then was dismissed by Alabama after another domestic violence charge.
The new rule could also have applied to quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who Georgia dismissed in 2010 after a misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident when he was charged with groping a woman at a bar. Mettenberger transferred to a junior college, then to LSU, and is now with the Tennessee Titans.
The passage of the rule also came after a series of infamous national incidents in sports, including the Ray Rice scandal.
“I think it’s an understanding of the current climate,” Sankey said.
Sankey said there is a waiver process to guard against special cases, such as when charges are dropped after the player has been dismissed by his previous school. The waiver would have to be granted by the commissioner’s office.
“If there was other information there at some point it would obviously be considered,” Sankey said.
While only sexual and domestic violence was specified, the rule could always be revisited in the future.
“It’s reassuring to know that our conference peers agreed with the proposal,” Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity said, “and I think a lot of credit goes to the presidents of the conference that voted in favor of this proposal. I think it sends a strong message. We think it sends a strong message and brings attention to really a serious issue that we all deal with.”
UGA reason for proposing it.
“Somebody had to propose the legislation,” McGarity said. “And we were the one that led the effort, but there’s no question that regardless of who brought it up, that we would have been in the same position that we are today.”
