TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Dec 13, 2024

Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, introduced a bill this week that would require the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) to revise its bylaws, allowing athletes one free transfer without eligibility restrictions. Under the current TSSAA transfer rule, student-athletes who move to a school in a different zone are ineligible for one calendar year following their last varsity game, unless they have a bona fide change of address. Cepicky’s bill would make it illegal for public schools to be part of any athletic association that enforces such eligibility restrictions. According to The Tennessean, Cepicky predicts that the bill will be ready for consideration in February. In related news, the TSSAA Legislative Council tabled all transfer-related rule proposals during its regular meeting Thursday in anticipation of the upcoming legislative session in January as a number of members have expressed concerns. The council has tentatively scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 4, 2025.