Roy Kramer, who as SEC commissioner led the conference’s expansion from 10 schools to 12 and created the SEC championship game, died on Thursday. He was 96.

Kramer’s death was announced Friday by the league office. His passing came two days before this year’s SEC championship game between Alabama and Georgia in Atlanta.

“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,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “His legacy is not merely in championships or commissioner’s decisions, but in a lifetime devoted to lifting student-athletes and believing in the power of sport to shape the lives of young people.

“Though he stepped away fro

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