Brentwood Academy, TSSAA Prepare for High Court Hearing

A ten-year dispute between Brentwood Academy and the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association may come to some resolve by this summer.

Attorneys for both sides will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court next week regarding athletic recruiting violations committed by the private school and football powerhouse in 1997.

Brentwood Academy says all it did was send letters to a dozen incoming freshmen, inviting them to spring workouts. The TSSAA considered the move a violation and that ‘undue’ influence was used.

BA headmaster Curt Masters says the players were already planning to attend the school. He adds that it’s almost impossible for coaches to know they’re in compliance with current rules.

“There’s no real description of what ‘undue influence’ is. What is protected? What can we say that wouldn’t be a violation?”

Attorneys are using a free speech argument that the communication is protected under the First Amendment.

Masters and school attorneys also say the state athletic association is merely out to protect public schools from having star players leave for private institutions.

TSSAA attorney Rick Colbert says a loss in court would be potentially devastating to the governing body for all high school sports in the state.

“It would not have the wherewithal to pay the millions of dollars that Brentwood Academy would ask for in legal fees.”

BA officials contest that point and say the case is mostly about clearing the school’s name.

The hearing at the high court will be Wednesday. A ruling is expected before the end of June.