A new rule will be a part of the TSSAA affecting student athletes in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12, that being a one-time transfer rule. This comes after Governor Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 16 into law on Feb. 23.

This new law allows TN high school and middle school athletes to transfer schools a single time and be eligible to play immediately. Athletes get one transfer at the high school level and one transfer at the middle school level. But, in order to be able to play right away at a student athlete’s new school of choice, they will have to transfer in the summer. If a student-athlete were to transfer during the school year, they would be ineligible, unless, as stated by the TSSAA, there is an exceptional circumstance that is demonstrated through a hardship application.

The TSSAA had this to say upon the implementation of Senate Bill 16, in a released statement on Feb. 25.

“The TSSAA has not opposed this legislation. In fact, we have collaborated closely with members of the legislature– specifically with the bill’s sponsors–in a dedicated effort to craft language that preserves the integrity of education-based athletics while acknowledging that school choice is now a permanent part of the Tennessee educational landscape.”