Big Sky tightens student-athlete misconduct rules

The Big Sky Conference announced today that it will tighten misconduct guidelines for student-athletes at all of its member programs beginning with the 2019-20 academic year.

The new “Serious Misconduct Rule” will restrict athletic-related financial aid and participation for current or prospective student-athletes who are convicted of or plead guilty or no contest to a specific list of felony or misdemeanor crimes including sexual, domestic or dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation or any assault committed with a deadly weapon or that otherwise causes serious bodily injury.

The new rule goes into effect for all prospective student-athletes, including those within each of the University of Montana’s athletic programs, beginning with the Dec. 19, 2019 signing period. It will effect current student-athletes concurrent with the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year.

“The Serious Misconduct Rule aligns with the Big Sky’s mission to provide a quality collegiate experience for our student-athletes while focusing on their safety,” said the conference’s commissioner, Andrea Williams. “This rule sets the tone and expectations the Conference has for its institutions.”

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