State legislators in Tennessee plan to research the possibility of dissolving the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, or bringing it under the control of the state government.
As reported by Tyler Palmateer of The Tennesseean, lawmakers have been at odds with the TSSAA, a 501(c)3 non-profit that has governed high school sports in Tennessee since 1925, over the association’s previous transfer rule going back to 2023.
Republicans Scott Cepicky and Adam Lowe say their focus has shifted from the rule to holding the TSSAA accountable. Cepicky, a representative, and Lowe, a senator, said during a joint press conference Monday that they believe the TSSAA has not been trustworthy during discussions that go back to November 2024, and they questioned the association’s Legislative Council.
Any changes to the TSSAA would be subject to the legislative process. Cepicky and Lowe will look into options for state involvement ahead of the 2026 session.
“In the House, there’s been talk about, has the TSSAA become an institution of too much power and no oversight from the general assembly?” Cepicky said. “I think what you’re going to see over the summer here is a concerted effort for the general assembly to look into whether this whole TSSAA thing needs to be dissolved and its governance brought under the jurisdiction in the eyes of the general assembly.”
Cepicky and Lowe co-sponsored bills this session, HB25 and SB16, that were originally written to force the TSSAA to adopt a rule that allowed student-athletes one free transfer without eligibility restrictions.
"Those bills were eventually amended to reflect a bylaw the TSSAA amended on March 3 that allows students one free transfer to another school due to reasons of significant academic, social-emotional, environmental or mental health needs. That’s if the sending school’s administration attests the move is not for athletic or disciplinary reasons," Palmateer wrote. "The bill was one step from becoming law after its Senate version SB16 passed, 25-4, on April 7. When HB25 reached the House floor on April 17, Cepicky acknowledged that many House members wanted him to drop the bill so he moved it to the next calendar date in February 2026."
Related: TSSAA Tells High School Coaches One-Time Transfer Bill 'Must Be Defeated'
"Cepicky and Lowe say they’re frustrated that the TSSAA didn’t take action on loosening students’ ability to transfer until the legislature became involved, and that the TSSAA held out on passing its rule to see if the two lawmakers would drop their bills," Palmateer continued. "The lawmakers also believe the TSSAA unnecessarily resisted legislative involvement, even when their bills were amended to reflect the association's transfer rule language."
Neither legislator was able to provide an example of a state that has successfully incorporated the type of government involvement they’re considering with a state high school sports association, Palmateer reported.
