(WAFB) - Roy Kramer, the former Vanderbilt athletics director and sixth commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, has died at age 96 .

Kramer was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern college athletics. His tenure included the creation of the first conference championship game in Division I-A football following the SEC’s expansion to 12 teams in 1992. He died just days before the 34th edition of that championship event.

“Roy Kramer will be remembered for his resolve through challenging times, his willingness to innovate in an industry driven by tradition, and his unwavering belief in the value of student-athletes and education,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “His legacy is not merely in championships or commissioner’s decisions, but in a lifetime devo

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