(August 14, 2014, Jackson, TN) – Earlier this week, JMCSS representatives that
included Dr. Verna Ruffin, Dr. Teresa Tritt, Coach John Whitehead, a parent
representative, and board members met with the Tennessee Middle School Athletic
Association. District representatives traveled to the Hermitage, Tennessee TMSAA
meeting to request that the Jackson-Madison County 7
th and 8th grade students who
transferred to Northeast Middle School to attend the Academic Academy be allowed to
participate in school sports this year.

The district regrets to inform the community that
our appeal to TMSAA was denied.
Northeast Middle School 7
th and 8th grade students who played sports at their previous
school must wait one year to play a varsity sport for Northeast Middle School. Although
students cannot participate on a varsity team, they can play on a junior varsity team
during their year of ineligibility.
Students who played one of the major sports at their previous school are not allowed to
participate in any of the major sports for one year. The major sports include football,
basketball, softball, track, and baseball. While these students cannot play a major sport,
they are able to participate in a minor sport as long as they did not participate in that
same minor sport at their previous school. Minor sports are cross county, soccer,
volleyball, and tennis. If students only played a minor sport at their previous school, they are eligible to play any of the major sports; however, they may not play the same
minor sport for one year.
After one year, students are eligible to play all sports. For specific questions regarding
eligibility, please contact Coach John Whitehead at [email protected].