TSSAA votes to tighten transfer rules in 2016-17

The TSSAA’s legislative council voted to approve an amendment designed to tighten up existing transfer rules for high school athletes during a session Tuesday in Murfreesboro.

The addition states, “If a student with an athletic record transfers into a new school where an ‘athletic coaching link’ existed in the past 12 months, that student is ineligible for 12 months at all levels in the specific sports where the link was present.”

An “athletic coaching link” is defined as attendance at an individual camp (and then transferring), playing on a nonschool team and then transferring into that coach’s school, transferring into a school where a former coach has just been hired or transferring into a school where a former or current personal trainer or strength and conditioning coach is employed.

The rule — which goes into effect for the 2016-17 school year — doesn’t apply to students who move into a new school after completing the highest ending grade at their previous school.

“The purpose of that amendment was to strictly establish a record ... and close that loophole,” said TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress.

In another move, the board voted that any school with a financial-assistance program (redefined to include work-study) involving tuition-paying studentathletes and/or their immediate family must be classified as a Division 2 school. The change will go into effect with the new reclassification period beginning in 2017-2018.

Also approved was an addition that allows only students who are enrolled in and in regular attendance at a particular school to participate in weight training and conditioning, a move that will go into effect on Oct. 1.

MUSTANGS, SAINTS NATIONALLY RANKED

Coming on the heels of last week’s 1-0 victory over a strong ECS team, the Houston girls soccer team has climbed to ninth in the latest USA Today national poll. Houston (3-0) likely will be without one of its key players the rest of the way, though, after senior goalkeeper Mary Parker Powell suffered a dislocated hip.

Briarcrest’s volleyball team — which is off to an impressive 12-1 start — is ranked 28th nationally, according to MaxPreps. The Saints return to action Thursday against D2-AA rival St. Benedict.

D-DAY NEARS FOR MYAH TAYLOR

Olive Branch junior Myah Taylor — last season’s Best of the Preps girls basketball player of the year — will announce her college choice on Oct. 14.

Taylor, who is the No. 42-ranked prospect in the class of 2017, is expected to choose from a list of schools that includes Arizona, Georgetown, James Madison, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Tulane and Wake Forest.

Last season, she averaged 18.2 points and 8.3 assists while leading the Quistors to a 32-2 record and a runner-up finish in MHSAA 6A.