TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Apr 14, 2026

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has approved a bylaws change allowing middle and high school student-athletes to transfer schools once without a bona fide change of address and remain immediately eligible, aligning with a new state law signed by Gov. Bill Lee. According to Knox News, the TSSAA Legislative Council voted unanimously April 14 to adopt the rule, which takes effect July 1 and permits one transfer between school years, provided students meet other eligibility requirements, including age and recruiting rules. The change shifts from longstanding policy requiring athletes to sit out a year after transferring without a change of address, though restrictions remain in place for additional transfers and midyear moves unless a hardship waiver applies.