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Milan High School's Reclassification Scheme


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Milan High School’s Shameless Reclassification Scheme

 

In 2020, the Milan High School football team suffered yet another defeat at the hands of Alcoa in the 3A state championship.  For most schools, this would have been a motivating challenge – an opportunity to rise to the occasion.  But Milan’s administration decided to take a different path.  Rather than face the possibility of another rematch with the state powerhouse, they sought a way to avoid Alcoa altogether.  Their solution?  A reclassification that would take them out of 3A and into 4A football, effectively dodging one of the most formidable teams in Tennessee high school football.

 

But that move didn’t go quite as planned.

 

The Milan High School Academy: A Deceptive Scheme

 

In 2021, in response to a disappointing season in 4A, Milan’s administration implemented a new strategy: they launched the so-called “Milan High School Academy.”  The academy was presented as a cutting-edge educational initiative, promising unique opportunities for students.  But in reality, the “academy” was nothing more than a clever ruse to manipulate enrollment numbers and gain an unfair advantage in the TSSAA classification process.

 

Despite its lofty name, the Milan High School Academy was essentially a designation for underperforming students who did not participate in athletics.  It wasn’t a separate building, nor did it come with additional resources or programs.  Academy students attended the same classes as their peers, earned the same diplomas, and received no additional support beyond what was available to all Milan students.  The only real distinction?  Academy students were barred from participating in sports.

 

So what was the purpose of the “academy”?  The answer is simple: it was an attempt to artificially lower the enrollment numbers at Milan High School, thereby allowing the school to qualify for a lower athletic classification.  By designating certain students as part of the “academy” and excluding them from athletics, Milan could reduce its reported enrollment figures and secure a spot in 2A, rather than 3A, which was the school’s rightful classification.

 

 

 

The Unprecedented and Unethical Decision of the Board of Control

 

In March 2024, the TSSAA Board of Control was alerted to Milan’s questionable tactics.  However, rather than addressing the issue, the Board took an unprecedented step that further exacerbated the situation.  In an unexpected move, the Board voted to use May enrollment figures—rather than the traditional August numbers—when determining classifications for the upcoming cycle.

 

This decision, made in August 2024, was not included in the official agenda, and the affected schools were given no opportunity to voice their concerns before the vote.  In fact, the vote was passed with a 12-0 margin, despite the face that four board members who represented private schools had no stake in the decision, as their schools’ enrollment numbers were still going to be submitted in August.

 

The result of this vote? Milan, whose enrollment figures were artificially deflated by the creation of the Academy, remained in 2A football, despite its historical placement in 3A.  This move was a direct result of Milan’s manipulation of enrollment numbers, and it allowed the school to avoid tougher competition in the coming years, including the powerhouse team, Alcoa, which has since reclassified to 4A.

 

The Consequences of Milan’s Strategic Move

 

Under the TSSAA’s 6-classification system, Milan had been competing in 3A football since its inception.  But by creating the Milan High School Academy and using the altered May enrollment data, Milan successfully managed to secure a place in 2A football for the next four years.  This was a strategic move designed to avoid competition from larger, more competitive programs and to secure easier opportunities for championship titles.

 

But Milan’s reclassification has not only benefited the school—it has also displaced other schools that were forced to compete in a classification that no longer reflects the true competitive landscape.  Schools in rural West Tennessee, for example, were left to face a Milan team that no longer belonged in 2A, further distorting the competitive balance in the region.

 

The decision to reclassify Milan based on artificially reduced enrollment numbers has created an unfair advantage that undermines the integrity of the TSSAA classification system.  For the next four years, Milan’s success will be built on this fraudulent foundation, and any victories won will be tainted by the knowledge that the school manipulated the system to achieve them.

Milan’s Manipulation of Districts and Regions

 

The fallout from Milan’s reclassification extends beyond football.  Milan’s new classification has also affected the districts and regions they compete in for other sports.  Historically, Milan was part of District 14 in Class 2A, where they competed against schools like Gibson County in sports like baseball, basketball, and softball.  However, Milan’s strategic reclassification moved them into District 12, a far more favorable grouping for their athletic programs.

 

This move has allowed Milan to avoid tough competition in a number of sports, particularly baseball and basketball, where District 14 was known for its strength.  By shifting into a less competitive district, Milan has given itself a clear advantage—one that other schools in the region now have to contend with, all because of a cynical manipulation of the system.

 

A Corrupt Process?

 

While the TSSAA is not inherently corrupt, Milan’s actions—along with the TSSAA Board’s approval of those actions—raise serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the entire classification process.  Milan’s administration has exploited the system for its own benefit, creating an environment where the spirit of competition has been overshadowed by self-serving tactics. 

 

Coaches and players at Milan High School today may have no direct involvement in this scheme, but they will inevitably feel the repercussions of the backlash from other schools and communities who see their actions as a betrayal of the competitive spirit that high school sports should embody. 

 

As for Milan’s administration, which has attempted to justify the creation of the academy, their claims fall short of convincing.  The principal, who did not start the Academy but now defends it, has made several dubious statements in an attempt to justify Milan’s reclassification:

 

1.      Tennessee’s Innovative Schools Model allowed us to create a separate Academy that meets on our campus to better serve those students.”

In reality, the “Academy” was not just a new program, it was a rebranding effort designed to reduce enrollment numbers.  It was not just a school-within-a-school but also an exclusionary measure.

 

2.      Students in the Academy have  WBL placements that match their elective focus and support the field of study.”

This is a common practice in nearly every school in Tennessee, as Work-Based Learning (WBL) programs have been around since 1984 and are available to all students, not just those in the so-called “Academy.”

 

3.      Our numbers have not rebounded post-COVID.”

Milan’s enrollment numbers which had been artificially reduced by the creation of the Academy, suddenly “rebounded” in August of 2024, showing a total of 610 students.  However when the reclassification vote was made based on May’s numbers, the school

reported 523 students—just five below the cutoff for 2A classification.

 

Conclusion: A Fraudulent Victory

 

Milan High School’s manipulation of the TSSAA reclassification process has exposed a systemic flaw in the way classifications are determined.  While the administration may have won a short-term victory by reclassifying to 2A, the consequences for other schools, and for the integrity of high school sports in Tennessee, will be felt for years to come.  Milan’s fraudulent move undermines the very principles of fairness and competition that are supposed to be governed by the TSSAA.

 

Milan may have secured a favorable classification, but it has lost something far more valuable: the respect of the entire state.

 

It’s important to note that the TSSAA’s hands are tied.  The Executive Director and his staff are at the mercy of the Board of Control.  The Board of Control has been corrupted by a member from Milan High School.  Moreover, of the 12 votes cast to use May’s numbers, 4 Board members saw their school play in a lower classification. The other 8 members’ schools were not affected. 

 

To the Board of Control: At most, you should do the right thing and start this entire classification process over.  At minimum, issue an apology to Halls High School who will be playing 2A because of Milan, Forrest High School who will be playing 3A because of Milan, Milan’s district opponents, their families and communities who will be driving 90 minutes for district basketball, baseball, and softball games.  Or, Board of Control, continue to be corrupted by one of your members and negatively impact thousands of athletes, their families, and communities.  None of you will ever have to wear the negative fallout of all of this.  TSSAA Executive Director Mark Reeves, a good man whom you all hired, will unfortunately be the face of this corruption.

 

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10 minutes ago, CoachT said:

Reinstating this topic does not mean that I agree or disagree with the content. It is worth discussing until names and insults start being posted.

Do you believe in a school having an academy to hide numbers?

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5 minutes ago, CoachT said:

Reinstating this topic does not mean that I agree or disagree with the content. It is worth discussing until names and insults start being posted.

When you say names as in people involved or calling someone a name ?  I’m being serious I don’t want to violate whatever you don’t want said 

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