The SEC made the announcement Wednesday morning. Rowing became the 22nd sport to be sponsored by the conference and the 13th women's sport in which an SEC Championship is conducted. Four SEC universities currently sponsor rowing and will participate in the championship: Alabama,
Oak Ridge will become the first city to host the Southeastern Conference Rowing Championship, with competitions slated to take place in Melton Lake.
College football will again have a break from SEC dominance with a national championship showdown Monday between Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Tuscaloosa's mayor, an Alabama congresswoman and University of Alabama colleagues said Stuart Bell will leave a legacy.