BIRMINGHAM, AL (WIS) – When fans attend football games at
Southeastern Conference stadiums this season, they will witness more game
action on stadium video boards, including replays of officiating reviews.
Starting with games this weekend, institutions are not limited in the use of
replays except when a stoppage occurs for an official review. The time
during which replays may be shown is from the end of a play until the beginning
of the next play, except when a stoppage occurs for an official review.
During official reviews, stadium video boards will be able to show
replays from the television network that is broadcasting the game. During
an official review, the video feed from the television network will be shown on
the stadium video board only between the referee's announcement to stop play
for the review and his communication of the review's outcome.
In previous years, the SEC had a standard one real-time replay policy for all
plays in a game for all sports.
"The change in policy will allow our fans to see more of the action, including
great plays and close calls," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "Fans in
the stadium now can see many of the same views of a play seen by fans watching
on television. This should add to the overall game experience for fans
inside our stadiums."
Replays of touchdowns not stopped for official review can be shown following
the point-after-touchdown attempts until the ensuing kickoff begins.
There
are exceptions to the policy for game-highlight packages shown later in the
contest.
The change in policy was approved by the SEC Athletics Directors in August
following a recommendation prepared by the conference's Working Group on Fan
Experience. The Working Group is chaired by Mississippi State University
Athletics Director Scott Stricklin.
Another policy change approved by the Athletics Directors and recommended by
the Working Group, permits bands to be amplified when playing during designated
times. Bands will not be allowed to play once the center takes his place
over the football until the play is whistled dead. Previously, bands were
not allowed to be amplified during the game and were not allowed to play once
the offensive team broke the huddle.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
