TSSAA to privates...keep recruiting!

[DougS]

For me, comments attributed to Childress have been very disappointing throughout the entire process since he frames them in a way that does not take proper responsibility and deflects from the real issue.  Not hard to see through at all.  Statements like "need facts, can't act on unsubstantiated statements from anonymous sources" like that is the only type of information the TSSAA has received and then stating "last 8 proven recruiting violations were by public schools" only displays how unwilling and out of touch the organization and its leader are in dealing with it.

 very good ...

[DougS]

Anyone who thought the split would happen hasn't been paying attention to how the T$$AA operates. They will not allow it to happen strictly due to self preservation from a monetary standpoint. Level playing field and listening to the opinions of the vast majority of constituents is of zero concern to Mr Childress and his cronies. This has been much ado about nothing bc it was never going to happen, but now the organization can further the status quo by saying that they looked into the split thoroughly and voted on it. What a joke! Give the 5A & 6A schools a dose of this mess for a few years and see what happens. The small publics are playing for 2nd in most of the big sports now. I see quotes from a number of representatives of private schools, but none from the few that are causing the uproar. Any word from CPA? They must be too busy scouring the national aau circuit to find their next out of state stud to bring in for hoops to comment.

 

From the posts ad nauseam about unfair actions, CPA is the most cited.  Good reasons or sour grapes, it does not really matter; its always about unfair advantages.  However, there are more ways to level the playing field than just barring private schools to DI and banishing them to DII.  

 

Removing the grey areas in some of the rules and writing them in black and white is a better way to start than just banishing all 25 schools because of the actions of a few (< 10).  And the most important part of the rules will be ENFORCING them.  TSSAA has the chance of tweaking the rules and then enforcing them.  If they fail to enforce them, shame on them and a full and out-right boycott of all member schools would be necessary.

[865BB]

There are just as many public schools that have advantages are there are private schools.

 

Several years ago Micah Goss transferred from Hardin Valley to Fulton and was instantly eligible. I believe he even transferred after school started. He was all-state at Fulton.

 

Last year Kelvin Jackson transferred from Fulton to Carter where he was all-state.

 

Neither one of these kids would have been able to do that going to a private school.

 

Galen Campbell transferred from Bearden to Fulton... several years ago Bearden recruited more than anyone until they were forced to get rid of the assistant doing it.

[865BB]

On top of that, go look at the facilities at Oak Ridge, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Hardin Valley, Bearden, Science Hill, DB, Fulton, Greeneville among others and tell me which private school has better facilities.

 

Kids go where there are quality coaches and a winning program. My old high school used to be really good at basketball but are terrible now because kids don't want to play for the coach.

[kbrks]

...there are more ways to level the playing field than just barring private schools to DI and banishing them to DII.  

 

Removing the grey areas in some of the rules and writing them in black and white is a better way to start than just banishing all 25 schools because of the actions of a few (< 10).  And the most important part of the rules will be ENFORCING them.  TSSAA has the chance of tweaking the rules and then enforcing them.  If they fail to enforce them, shame on them and a full and out-right boycott of all member schools would be necessary.

Agreed, not really a public-private issue as much as it is an association issue which includes the members and the governing board.  If members followed the rules/spirit of the rules no problem, but when that does not happen and members can't police each other, they look to the governing board.  But an association that relies primarily on the current structure, self-investigation, is doomed to failure.  

 

 

...Kids go where there are quality coaches and a winning program...

Disagree, at the HS level in this day and age this is by far the exception rather then the rule and happens most when recruiting violations and inducements occur.  These decisions are rarely made in a vacuum without a quality player knowing what to expect.  And how do you think that happens...

Edited July 21, 2015 by kbrks

[865BB]

My old high school in Knoxville used to win 20 plus games almost ever year. They haven't had a winning season in like 5 years. It's because kids in that sport don't want to play for the coach because he's terrible so if they are serious about that sport they are going to different schools.

[kbrks]

...because kids in that sport don't want to play for the coach because he's terrible so if they are serious about that sport they are going to different schools.

Saying kids leave because they do not want to play for a terrible coach is far different then saying parents and kids on their own are simply seeking the winningest programs with the best facilities and best coaches which is the argument many want to make.  But for the sake your point, list all the players from your old school over the last 5 years who have transferred to play elsewhere, I'd be interested to know.

[865BB]

Yea, I'm going to throw a bunch of high school kids names out on a message board to prove a point to you.

[sportfreak]

The exceptional athlete might leave because of a bad coach. Some just give up playing a sport because the coach is bad. You are mighty lucky to have a good coach...don't see that many, private or not.

[kbrks]

Yea, I'm going to throw a bunch of high school kids names out on a message board to prove a point to you.

The kids have transferred, what difference would it make especially since it does not sound like a surprise the why behind it?  But don't name the kids if you are uncomfortable, just start with the actual number.

[Indian]

The talk from last week is they will attempt to crack down on recruiting, my question, if they're able to do so, what has taken so long?

[Talisman]

Doubtful the coaches here will go along. Fifty years ago the state I lived in had a simple transfer rule. If you changed school, for any reason, you were ineligible for twelve months. Is this stringent policy what is needed?