TSSAA Legislative Council Agenda

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AGENDA
December 12, 2007
Nashville, Tennessee

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes

Election of Officers

2007 Regional Meetings
Supplement #1 contains the summary of the 2007 Regional Meetings. There were two legislative proposals on this year's regional agenda. The Legislative Council will need to take action on the two legislative proposals.

New Business

Proposed Change in Article III, Section 15 of the TSSAA Bylaws
Supplement #2 contains a letter from Mr. Mike Tebbe, Director of Communications and Athletics for Shelby County Schools, and a proposal from Arlington High School, Bartlett High School, Bolton High School, Collierville High School, Germantown High School, Houston High School, Millington High School, and Southwind High School.
The proposed change in Article III, Section 15 would be to add an exception to the rule dealing with forfeitures of athletic contests for the playing of ineligible players.

Proposed Change in Article IV, Section 8 of the TSSAA Bylaws (Sports Calendar)
Supplement #3 contains a proposal from White Station High School regarding changes in the Sports Calendar dealing with the dead period for fall and spring sports.

Proposed Change in Article II, Section 12 of the TSSAA Bylaws (transfer rule)
White House Heritage High School is proposing that an addition be made to the transfer rule to permit all students one transfer at the beginning of the school year from any school to another school without loss of eligibility. The only exception would be for disciplinary action that occurred at the previous school.

Proposal contained in "a" above:

In the event parents/guardians provide fraudulent documentation, that unbeknownst to a school, allows their child to attend and participate athletically at a school they normally could not attend, the following will occur:

Once discovered, the school will immediately declare the player ineligible
The school will provide the TSSAA all evidence and documentation to verify the fraudulent use of information by parents/guardians to enroll their child
Due to the culpability of the parent/guardian and player, the player will become ineligible in all TSSAA sports for one calendar year (from the date they were declared ineligible)
Forfeiture of games for using an ineligible player will not be invoked against the school unless it is proven they were aware of the fraudulent use of documentation to get the player eligible

Proposal contained in "b" above:

That fall and spring sports (excluding basketball and wresting) observe a single dead period similar to the summer Dead Period, during which all school athletic facilities would be closed for these sports. This Dead Period would begin on the day after the Blue Cross Bowl, which this year falls on December 8, and extend for 21 consecutive calendar days until December 29. There would be no restriction on coach/athlete contact until the beginning of the Dead Period, which is similar to the lack of restriction placed on spring sports immediately after the conclusion of the spring season.