The Principal shall be held responsible for the administration and control of the interscholastic athletic program within his/her school.

Scheduling Athletic Events
The Principal is authorized to schedule events for his/her school subject to the approval of the Superintendent.

Information Required to Participate
Before being allowed to participate in the first practice session of a sport, the following information must be on file in the Principal's office for each participant:

• Written evidence that the student has permission to participate. This must be signed by the parent or guardian.
• Written evidence that the student has passed a physical examination. This must be signed by a doctor of medicine, osteopathic physician, and physician assistant or certified nurse practitioner. Physical examinations must be given on or after MAY 1 and are then current for thirteen months or the entire upcoming school year.
• Written evidence that the student is covered by a family insurance policy. This statement must list the name of the company and be signed by the parent or guardian. If the student is not covered by a family policy, the student must have the special senior high football policy or the student insurance which covers all middle, ninth and senior high sports except senior high football.
• If an athlete goes to an athletic screening examination and is referred to another physician for further evaluation, the parents or guardian must provide the coach with written evidence that the student has passed a physical examination and the physician must address the condition for Athletic Program General Rules and Regulations which the student was referred. The physician must also specify any accommodations that are needed or must be made.

Hiring of Coaches
Principals must make sure that TSSAA and SCS policies are followed if he/she thinks he/she may need a non-faculty coach. A letter from the Principal to the Athletic Director must be sent requesting this assistance. The position will then be advertised. Next, the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and the Athletic Director must approve this request. An application will have to be completed including fingerprinting and background check. Then, the TSSAA will have to approve the request. Until all these steps are followed, no non-faculty coach can be assigned. Please note that all new teachers who coach hired in 2000 and thereafter, will be required to attend the TSSAA coaches' certification program. Every coach is to finish his/her season once it is scheduled.

Safety/Sportsmanship
Safety always must be the number one concern. Principals must make sure the “Heat Stress Guidelines” and “Lightning Guidelines” are followed, that each coach has an emergency plan ready in case of injuries, that no athlete is allowed to practice unless a current physical, parent permission and proof of insurance form is on file. Emergency cards are to be taken to all practices, scrimmages and games. Good sportsmanship is required. Coaches and players are to set examples of good sportsmanship at all times. Nothing else will be acceptable.

Scheduling of Athletic Events
Athletic events must adhere to the following scheduling rules:

• All athletic practice must be held outside of school hours unless the specific practice is approved on an annual basis by the Board of Education and reflected in the minutes.
• There shall be no games or matches scheduled during examination week until examinations are completed.
• All practice session and games shall be under the supervision of qualified personnel.
• Middle school and high school coaching positions can be assigned to non-faculty if the position has been advertised and no full-time or retired employee with a teaching license who meets the qualifications required for coaching the specific sport in question is available.
• All TSSAA regulations must be followed.
• All non-faculty coaches must be approved by the principal, the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and the TSSAA.
  

Verification of Age for Grades 7 through 12
Verification of birth date is required for athletic eligibility in all sports for Grades 7 through 12.

Revenue Collection Rules and Procedures
Whenever money is collected for admission to an athletic contest, a ticket must be given to the customer.

• A ticket reconciliation report is required for all events for which a fee is charged.
• The ticket reconciliation report and money must be given to the principal or principal designee for deposit within three (3) days of the event. However, it is recommended that money be deposited daily.
• For further details for paid admission and collections/deposits, please refer to the Tennessee Internal School Uniform Accounting Policy Manual, Section 5, pp. 5-5 and 5-6. A copy of the Manual should be located at each school's main office. It is also located on the State's website at http://www.state.tn.us/education/fa/ed331936sec5.pdf

Security Rule
Each school must have an administrator or designee at every athletic contest. TSSAA and this Policy require an administrator to be present at each varsity football, basketball and soccer contest. Each administrator or designee must identify himself/herself to all who are directing or supervising the contest. Also, an administrator and police officer(s) must be present at each middle school and ninth grade football and basketball contest. Principals of 7-12 schools are required to have police officers at all football and basketball contests. The employment of police officers and the number to be employed at all other athletic contests is also left to the discretion of the principal.