The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Board of Control approved membership for two new schools and denied multiple appeals during its recent meeting.

The Board of Control discussed the first year of the new format for the DI football playoff brackets and how it has been perceived in their respective areas. The Board wanted to wait until the January meeting to continue the discussion so they would have more data from this year's playoffs after they are complete.

The board voted unanimously to admit Tri-Cities Christian Academy beginning in the 2026-27 school year and Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy for the 2025-26 school year. All existing schools were approved for continued membership.

In disciplinary matters, the board reinstated officials Richard Bridges and Brian Busler following appeals of their suspensions.

The board approved one cooperative sports program, allowing St. Andrew's-Sewanee School to partner with Grundy County High School for girls softball. Two other cooperative program requests were tabled until January for further review.

Tournament format changes were approved for Region 4 AAAA basketball, allowing quarterfinal games at a central site, and Gatlinburg-Pittman High School was approved as a regional tournament host.

The board also denied Covington High School's appeal regarding contract terms for a cancelled football game with Munford High School and approved new media credential requirements for internet websites covering TSSAA events.

Schools with outstanding fines or unpaid dues will be barred from postseason competition until obligations are met, the board decided.

A full summary of the meeting can be viewed below.

  1. Voted to approve the Minutes of the August 18, 2025, meeting without reading since members had been sent a copy for review.
  2. Voted to approve all schools for TSSAA membership for 2025-26.
  3. Voted to not allow schools to participate in postseason competition until all outstanding fines and membership dues obligations to the association are met.
  4. Voted to approve financial aid for tuition-receiving schools for the 2025-26 school year.
  5. Voted to table Crosstown High School's request to form a baseball and softball cooperative program with Memphis Central High School until January.
  6. Voted to table the request for South Greene High School, Greeneville High School, and Chuckey-Doak High School to form a three-team cooperative program in Lacrosse until January to see if there is support for the exception from other teams in the Region.
  7. Voted to approve St. Andrew's-Sewanee School's request to form a cooperative program in girls softball with Grundy County High School.
  8. Voted to deny Covington High School's appeal and uphold the contract terms for cancellation of football game with Munford High School.
  9. Voted to approve DII A and AA quarterfinal game time provisions for baseball, softball, and tennis.
  10. Voted to table Webb School of Knoxville's proposal for an exception to the sports calendar for boys basketball during NCAA live recruiting periods until January to determine how many schools will be involved and to see how other states are handling the conflict.
  11. Voted to approve additions to media regulations regarding requirements for internet website credentials.
  12. Voted to approve the Region 4 AAAA basketball tournament format change to play quarterfinal rounds at a central site as requested by James Lawson High School.
  13. Voted to approve Gatlinburg-Pittman High School's request to be an approved host for the region basketball tournament.
  14. Voted to approve Tri-Cities Christian Academy's TSSAA membership effective with the 2026-27 school year.
  15. Voted to approve Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy's TSSAA membership effective for the 2025-26 school year.
  16. Voted to reinstate Richard Bridges' registration as a TSSAA official.
  17. Voted to reinstate Brian Busler's registration as a TSSAA official.