The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first conference to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on Tuesday became the first conference on record to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations.

In a statement, the SIAC, which competes in Division II, said that all players and coaches must be fully vaccinated in order to compete.

The policy also applies to staff and other auxiliary groups, including officials, band members, and cheerleading teams.

The SIAC will honor exemptions players receive from their respective campuses for medical or religious reasons. However, unvaccinated players will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing as established by local health officials.