TSSAA Voting System Not Representing Our Coaches!

[coachp22]

Coaches are told by TSSAA executives that they" have no control over decisions" and that we should voice our opinions to the representatives in our area because they are the ones that vote. If that is true then why do the executives give their recommendation right before the vote takes place? To remind the board how they want them to vote and to influence the vote. With the current system coaches are supposed to trust the representative from their area to go and vote for what the majority wants. There are some board members that never met with coaches before the vote to allow them to voice opinions...How is that representing coaches? There is one board member "Ricky Catlett" that apparently voted opposite of what his area wanted according to several coaches that I spoke to that he represents. Jody Wright from Fulton is a coach and on the board. How is that not a major conflict of interest??? He is gonna vote the way that has the best outcome for his situation...Who wouldn't??? Our Executive Director that claims that "he has no control" stated yesterday that " We always feel like we have to keep our football numbers as far as enrollment figures in schools going against each other close together" Who is we??? and what about the other student athletes around the state?? All athletes should be treated with fairness and with our current system TSSAA has way too much power. The hard working coaches that really care about our athletes and are not blinded by $$$$ have no voice!

[spanarkle]

Really thought this was the year for a change. Have waited for 28 years and thought this was it, what a kick in the gut. I was shocked!!! I attended one of the meetings here in West TN and after our "pow wow" was left thinking the 4 class (60, AA,AAA, 60 ) was the move we were voting for. After talking to some of the principals this last week they were saying 6 classes. Heck I didnt care because either way my little school was going to be in better shape. Instead here we are back playing the 500 enrollment schools with our 105 enrollment. One thing I hear is the coaches were afraid of losing district tourn. I would hate that too not because of the money but because of the great atmosphere of all the teams getting together....if its because of money someone is making a lot more than our district. Look at a boys and girls team that is eliminated in the first round at a higher seed....bet their bus trip cost more money than they will get back from the higher seed team. I am at a loss. One day the small schools will get a fair shake or for that matter BASKETBALL schools will get the fair shake. They say if its not broke dont fix it...its broke, been broke for a long time, would have loved to finish my coaching career playing teams closer to our enrollment but it looks as if thats not gonna happen.      

[dmm88]

Main issue here is I think that AD's from schools that struggle to put a team out (Quite a few in the West TN area) voted in favor of six, BUT without a district tourney, those teams seasons would end the last day of the regular season.

[Indian]

I don't understand why they would have to end postseason tournaments.

[spanarkle]

No reason to end district tourn. If there were 6 classes you might just have 4 teams in a district but with 4 classes you would have plenty. I know the 4 districts in West TN. Single A has 42 teams. I voted 60, AA, AAA ,60 and really thought that was the best plan. Matched up the schools better than the 3 classes as its always been. Back 35 years ago when I played ball in high school there were about 100 less schools , that was also the time when only 8 single A teams made the playoffs

[spanarkle]

No reason to end district tourn. If there were 6 classes you might just have 4 teams in a district but with 4 classes you would have plenty. I know the 4 districts in West TN. Single A has 42 teams. I voted 60, AA, AAA ,60 and really thought that was the best plan. Matched up the schools better than the 3 classes as its always been. Back 35 years ago when I played ball in high school there were about 100 less schools , that was also the time when only 8 single A teams made the playoffs

8 teams in football..........

[dmm88]

If TSSAA wanted to do this, they could have. Align each region like football. 12 region games. Local teams you play twice, further teams once. Then when season ends start the region playoffs. Each region top 4 teams go. 1 vs 4 opposite regions and 2 vs 3. First and second round highest seed hosts. Quarters and semis moved to a college venue in each area. Championship games at MTSU.

[Indian]

Now we can continue to have 200-250 student schools vs. those around 550, 551 vs 1050, 1051 vs 2000+. Just takes 5 players at a time and 15 on varsity but the larger schools are likely to have a lot better chance at putting 5 good ones out there compared to smaller ones. Plus schools twice as large aren't hurt as much by athletes specializing. Yes, there are exceptions like Clarkrange but there will be exceptions out of 300 or more teams.

[GridironGuru]

It was a terrible vote by the TSSAA. To classify 315 football teams into 6 classes and leave 360 basketball schools in 3 classes in an embarrassment. Shame on the TSSAA! Schools need to come together and file a Title IX lawsuit against them and any school that has any concern for ALL of its athletes should look to form another association.  

 

I've heard the excuses why they couldn't change it and NONE of them hold water. It's a clear display of favoritism and discrimination.  

[Indian]

Could have gone to 4, 2 year trial. If it didn't work go back to 3.

[burnalittle]

It was a terrible vote by the TSSAA. To classify 315 football teams into 6 classes and leave 360 basketball schools in 3 classes in an embarrassment. Shame on the TSSAA! Schools need to come together and file a Title IX lawsuit against them and any school that has any concern for ALL of its athletes should look to form another association.  

 

I've heard the excuses why they couldn't change it and NONE of them hold water. It's a clear display of favoritism and discrimination.  

Totally embarrassing!

[chizzel]

We must go after the BOC spots. I'm hearing Lots of support for getting for voting them out. Catlett & Roller betrayed their schools more than anyone and should be a top priority. Jody Wright was negative and pushed for 3 so he needs to be priority # 2! Chauncey is a TSSAA puppet that can't be trusted either.....