LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES December 9, 2015 Hermitage, TN

  1. Roll Call
  2. Approved Minutes of Last Meeting
  3. Heart Technology Update
  4. Election of Officers
    • Dan Black was elected to continue to serve as President of the Legislative Council
    • Mike Reynolds was elected to continue to serve as Vice President of the Legislative Council
  5. 2015 Regional Meetings - 6 Proposals
    1. Denied proposed change or addendum to Article II, Sections 13a and 13b (Ineligible Transfer Students) of the TSSAA Bylaws:
      1. Students who are involuntarily transferred from an academic magnet or private school, whose territory encompasses the entire school district or 20 miles, respectively, will be able to participate in athletics at their zoned school immediately, provided they meet all other requirements established by the TSSAA.
      2. Students who are involuntarily transferred from an academic magnet or private school, whose territory encompasses the entire school district or 20 miles, respectively, will be able to participate in athletics at their zoned school contingent upon written letters of permission submitted by the Executive Principals or Head Masters of both schools to the TSSAA, provided they meet all other requirements established by the TSSAA.
      (Submitted by Stratford STEM Magnet High School
    2. Denied proposed change in Article II, Section 13 (Ineligible Transfer Students) of the TSSAA BylawsIf the student-athlete has an athletic record for the previous or current school year in any TSSAA sanctioned sport, the student-athlete will be ineligible in the sport(s) in which an athletic record has been established, but will be eligible to participate in other TSSAA sanctioned sports in which no athletic record has been established. The twelve month ineligible provision from the last date of participation will still apply to the student-athlete in the sport(s) in which the student-athlete established an athletic record.(Submitted by Hillwood High School)
    3. Denied proposed addition to Article III, Section 14 (Playing of Ineligible Student Athletes) of the TSSAA BylawsAny TSSAA member school that is required to forfeit 50% or more of the regular season contests in any TSSAA sanctioned sport as a result of the participation of an ineligible player shall be prohibited from entering post season competition in that sport.(Submitted by Hillwood High School)
    4. Denied proposed addition to Article II, Section 8 (Eighth Grade Participation) of the TSSAA BylawsThere are three items for consideration within this proposal:
      1. Eighth grade students enrolled in a school district with one middle school and one high school be allowed to play high school sports once their middle school season is over; or
      2. By setting the ruling with a student population for a certain number or less, to allow 8th graders to play high school sports once their middle school season is over; or
      3. Eliminate 8th graders the ability to move up at all.
      (Submitted by Huntingdon High School)
    5. Voted to table proposed addition to the definition of "Open Facilities" and asked the staff to bring back recommended language that would clarify the proposed definition of Open Facilities. Open Facilities - Permitted at all times except during the Dead Period. Schools may use their facilities for students in their building prior to or at the conclusion of the school day. Coaches may serve in a supervisory capacity only. There is no instruction, no teaching, no coaching, etc. Coaches may not participate or play in any manner. It is a free play type atmosphere. Sport specific skills cannot be taught. ATTENDANCE CANNOT BE MANDATORY. Change Open Facilities Definition to read: Permitted at all times except during a Dead Period. Schools may use their facilities for students in their building prior to, at the conclusion the school day, or at the conclusion of the in season sport practice/game. Coaches may serve in a supervisory capacity only. There is no instruction, no teaching, no coaching, etc. Coaches may not participate or play in any manner. It is a free play type atmosphere. Sport specific skills cannot be taught. ATTENDANCE CANNOT BE MANDATORY.(Submitted by Bradley Central High School)
    6. Denied proposed addition to Article II, Section 12 (Eligible Transfer Students)Proposal:Student-athletes that are cut at one school can transfer to another school without having to sit out of competition for 12 months. (Note: This does not apply to student-athletes who quit a team or got dismissed from that team after making the team.)Requirements:A student athlete who is cut from football, basketball, baseball, softball, or track and field at School A should be permitted to participate in that sport at School B if he/she meets all other transfer requirements. If the student had an athletic record in any of the other sports at School A, he/she would be ineligible in those other sports for 12 months from their last date of participation.There should also be a letter of verification from the previous school confirming that the player was indeed cut. It should also include their last date of participation in any other applicable sports. (Submitted by Mt. Juliet Christian Academy)
  6. New Business
    1. Voted to table proposed change to Article III & Article IV of the TSSAA Constitution until Council members can discuss proposal with member schools. Proposal will be on the Legislative Council agenda at their next meeting in March 2016.Tennessee High School is requesting that the Legislative Council amend Articles III and IV of the TSSAA Constitution to allow three directors of school (one from each Grand Division) to be elected by the membership as voting members of the TSSAA Board of Control and Legislative Council. The TSSAA staff has worked on the language for these proposed amendments and will explain.
    2. Approved proposed change to Wrestling/Girls Wrestling Sports Calendars:Proposal would remove the current limitation of four individual tournaments in the current TSSAA Wrestling Sports Calendar while setting a 55 match limit during the regular season for each individual. The proposal does not change the number of dates that each school is allowed to schedule.