TSSAA tightens transfer rules

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The TSSAA’s legislative council voted to approve an amendment designed to tighten up existing transfer rules for high school athletes during a session Sept. 1 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 financialassistance 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 a recent 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 goalkeeper Mary Parker Powell suffered a dislocated hip.

Briarcrest’s volleyball team is ranked 28th nationally, according to MaxPreps.

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 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.