BOARD OF CONTROL MINUTES
March 17, 2009
Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
1. Approved Minutes of Last Meeting
2. Re-elected Mike Reed as President; Re-elected Fred Kessler as Vice-President
3. Approved Financial Report of the 2008 Football Playoff Series
4. Approved Financial Report of the 2009 Bowling State Tournament
5. Approved Change in TSSAA Calendar for 2009-2010
At the January 2009 Board of Control meeting the Board of Control approved the calendar for the 2009-2010. Part of that calendar was the setting of the Regional Meetings for November 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2009. As the staff has looked at the 2009-2010 calendar, they felt would be much better to set these meetings one week later at November 9, 10, 11, and 12. This would still be one week prior to the Board of Control meeting on November 19. The schedule would be as follows:
November 9 – Walter State (9:00 a.m.)
Knoxville Central (1:00 p.m.)
November 10 – Chattanooga Tyner (9:00 a.m.)
Warren Co. (1:00 p.m.)…
November 11 – Hunters Lane (9:00 a.m.)
East Hickman (1:00 p.m.)
November 12 – Memphis Board of Education (9:00 a.m.)
USJ (1:00 p.m.)
6. Tabled the University School of Nashville Request to Change the Bowling Tiebreaker until June.
7. Approved new guidelines for bids for the 2009-2010 Football Championships and 2010-2011 Spring Fling
The football championship bid proposals will be presented to the Board at the June 2009 meeting and the Spring Fling bid proposals will be presented to the Board at the August 2009 meeting.
8. Passed a proposal which requires a heat policy for all member schools. The requirements of the policy includes adjustments which must be made for activities depending on the heat index at the location where the activities take place. The TSSAA Heat Policy is the minimum standard that its member schools must follow.
The TSSAA Heat Policy would prohibit schools from practicing when the heat index is in excess of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A summary of the minimum accommodations and adjustments can be found at http://tssaa.org. Member schools must be in compliance with this policy beginning with the 2009-2010 TSSAA Fall Sports First Practice Dates.
9. Took no action on the Chattanooga Christian School request for a change in basketball format.
Approved that there be an alternate site to be selected for the Regional basketball tournament if four schools from the same district advance to the Regional Semifinals.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES
Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center
March 18, 2009
1. Approved Minutes of Last Meeting
2. Old Business
a. The Legislative Council, at its December 10, 2008 meeting, tabled the legislative proposal change regarding who may serve on the Board and Council.
The Council voted to leave Article III, Section 2 (3rd paragraph) and Article IV, Section 2 (3rd paragraph) as it is.
b. Authorized staff to clarify wording in regards to Article II, Section 10 of the TSSAA Bylaws (Physical Examination and Parental Consent) concerning how the form is kept on file in regard to HIPAA and FERPA.
c. Approved the following change to Article II, Section 7 (Repeating Rule) of the TSSAA Bylaws as follows:
Section 7. A student who repeats the seventh or eighth grade after passing that grade and participates in school athletics while repeating shall be ineligible to participate in athletics in the ninth grade.
d. Approved Revised Wording in Article II, Section 17 of the TSSAA Bylaws (Recruiting Rule) to read as follows:
Bylaws
There are three primary objectives that the member schools of the TSSAA attempt to achieve through their Bylaws: (1) maintaining athletics in its proper perspective as subordinate to the primary academic mission of the schools; (2) preventing the exploitation of students for athletic purposes; and (3) fostering fair competition, or a “level playing field,” among the TSSAA member schools. While some particular bylaws may serve additional purposes, all of the Bylaws should be read with these three overriding objectives in mind.
Article I
Section 7. The principal of each school, in all matters pertaining to the athletic relations of his/her school, is responsible to this Association. Administrators must realize that they have more responsibilities than the general public to understand the purpose of high school athletics and the principles behind the TSSAA rules, and they must maintain that level of understanding and purpose when dealing with the general public and students. The principal shall exercise control over all finances, the scheduling of contests, and all other matters involved in the management of the school’s athletic program. Any school whose athletic program is managed by a non-school group shall not be eligible to hold membership in TSSAA.
Section 9
H. All coaches are subject to the TSSAA rules and regulations and must conduct themselves in a manner becoming of a coach and representative of the school. All coaches are responsible to the principal of his/her school. Coaches must realize that they have more responsibilities than the general public to understand the purpose of high school athletics and the principles behind the TSSAA rules, and they must maintain that level of understanding and purpose when dealing with the general public and students. Coaches must be paid entirely from funds approved by the board of education or the governing board of the school.
Recruiting Rule
Athletic recruiting is prohibited. Athletic recruiting is the use of influence on a student or the parents or guardians of a student, by any person(s) directly or indirectly associated with the school, to secure or retain a student for athletic purposes. In the event that there is a violation of this rule, there shall be a penalty against the school, and the student who was the subject of the violation shall be ineligible at the school involved for one year; provided, if it is determined that there are aggravating factors, such as a knowing or deliberate violation targeted at particular student-athletes, the period of ineligibility may be extended.
Guidelines for Understanding the Recruiting Rule:
1. Athletes or prospective athletes should be treated no differently than students who are not athletes. Students should be seen as students and not singled out based on their potential athletic ability.
2. To avoid the appearance of impropriety, a coach who is contacted by any student or family or individual about attending a school where he or she is the coach should inform that person that he or she needs to contact the administrative official or officials of the school who normally deal with the admissions process.
3. To avoid the appearance of impropriety, any meeting with coaches regarding athletes or prospective athletes should be part of the admissions process at the school and should take place at the school.
Q: How is influence for athletic purposes interpreted in the recruiting rule?
A: Examples of influence for athletic purposes may include, but are not limited to:
1. Offers of or acceptance of any special privileges not afforded to other students, whether athletes or not.
2. Offers of financial aid based on need to any prospective student-athlete by any member of the coaching staff. All financial aid questions should be referred to the principal or person in charge of financial aid.
3. Inducing or attempting to induce or encourage any prospective student-athlete to attend any member school for the purpose of participating in athletics even when special remuneration or inducement is not given.
4. Any initial contact or prearranged contact by a member of a coaching staff or representative of the school and a prospective student-athlete in the seventh grade and above.
5. Offering or acceptance of any item with school advertisement (shirt, caps, jackets, etc.) to a prospective student; provided, that this example does not apply to items of only nominal value (pencils, etc.) that a school gives to all families that participate in the school’s admission process.
6. Admitting students to athletic contests free of charge based on their participation in athletics; provided, admitting all of the students at a school or in a particular grade is permitted if it has been approved by the administration of both schools.
7. Coaches or their representatives calling, sending questionnaires, cards or letters, or visiting prospective student-athletes and/or their families at their homes. For purposes of this example, the term “coach” assumes that the individual initiating the contact is acting in his or her capacity as a coach. If that person serves another role at the school and is not acting in his or her capacity as a coach, then there may be no violation, unless the contact is really a subterfuge for what is in fact the use of influence for athletic purposes.
Q: What is allowed or permitted by member schools in contacting prospective students?
A: The Recruiting Rule is not intended to prevent a member school from marketing its total school program or conducting programs designed to attract students based on the school’s overall educational and extracurricular programs. However, such programs must not be used as a subterfuge for recruiting students for athletic purposes. Examples of programs or things that would be permissible include, but are not limited to:
1. With the permission of the administration of both schools, a school may present programs to elementary, junior high, or middle schools, which explain the total education program and are presented to all the students in a particular grade. There should be a diversity of presenters, speaking on a variety of topics to students of all interests.
2. Once a student has pre-enrolled at a school in the spring or summer, taken necessary tests, been accepted or approved, paid a deposit (if required), and signed a contract indicating they will attend, the school may contact the student or family concerning summer programs, camps, physicals, etc., provided the student has:
a. Completed all his classes and exams at his previous school;
b. Signed the independent school’s enrollment contract; and
c. Paid the deposit required by the independent school.
3. Mass marketing of a school directed to a general population of students.
4. Mass media advertising.
5. Responding to inquiries from parents of prospective students about various aspects of the school’s program.
e. No action required regarding the change in Wording in Article III, Section 7-B of the TSSAA Bylaws.
The Legislative Council, at its December meeting, voted to change the rule regarding ejections in soccer. The revised wording would be as follows:
B. On the ejection of the student-athlete, the school will be required to submit a report on the action of the player and any disciplinary action taken by the school. The minimum penalty will be as follows:
1. Football – 1 game suspension
2. Soccer – 2 game suspension except for the following offenses which shall result in a one-game suspension:
a. A player anywhere on the field (other than a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area) who deliberately handles a ball to prevent it from going into the goal
b. A foul by a player against an opponent who is moving toward his/her offensive goal with an obvious opportunity to score.
3. All other sports – 2 game suspension
The student-athlete is also suspended from all levels of participation (varsity, junior varsity, freshman) the same number of contest(s) in the sport involved.
If the student is a senior and cannot fulfill all of the disciplinary action due to the completion of the season, he/she will fulfill the action in the next sport in which they participate.
f. Change in Wording in Rule 11-I in the TMSAA Bylaws
B. On the ejection of the student-athlete, the school will be required to submit a report on the action of the player and any disciplinary action taken by the school. The minimum penalty will be as follows:
4. Football – 1 game suspension
5. Soccer – 2 game suspension except for the following offenses which shall result in a one-game suspension:
a. A player anywhere on the field (other than a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area) who deliberately handles a ball to prevent it from going into the goal
b. A foul by a player against an opponent who is moving toward his/her offensive goal with an obvious opportunity to score.
6. All other sports – 2 game suspension
The student-athlete is also suspended from all levels of participation (varsity, junior varsity) the same number of contest(s) in the sport involved.
If the student is finishing the highest ending grade in his/her school and cannot fulfill all of the disciplinary action due to the completion of the season, he/she will fulfill the action in the next sport in which they participate.
g. Add the Following as F to Article III, Section 7 and as F in Article III, Section 9 of the TSSAA Bylaws
In all situations where ejections occur for unsportsmanlike conduct, the individual will be removed from the next contest(s) following the one in which the ejection occurred.
h. Add the Following as G to Rule 11-I of the TMSAA Bylaws
In all situations where ejections occur for unsportsmanlike conduct, the individual will be removed from the next contest(s) following the one in which the ejection occurred.
4. New Business
a. Voted to add three days of practice for Volleyball from the end of school until the beginning of the dead period.
b. Took no action on the proposal from Page High School for a change in the transfer rule.
c. Approved the proposal for Change in Article II, Section 16 (#2) of the TSSAA Bylaws from the Division II Committee.
Financial aid may be awarded on the basis of need, but proof of such need must be filed in the TSSAA office on forms approved by the Executive Director. In order to determine the basis for need, all schools shall use the School and Student Scholastic Service for Financial Aid (SSS) of Princeton, New Jersey, FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment (FACTS), or Financial Aid For School Tuition (FAST). A committee consisting of School Heads from Division II schools and one ex-officio, non-voting member from the Board of Control will meet and make recommendations to the Board of Control on each student submitted. In addition, this committee will collect information from schools regarding financial aid statistics, grant procedures, and the overall financial aid program within the school. The Board of Control will then rule on all cases at the August meeting. The Board of Control shall have authority to reject the basis for need for students when in its opinion, or the opinion of the school committee, the amount of need stated by School and Student Service for Financial Aid of Princeton, New Jersey, (SSS), FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment (FACTS), or Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) cannot be justified.
All schools would have to choose one of the three companies for all student-athletes.