October 29, 2020
Mr. Roger Alsup, Principal
Franklin County High School
833 By Pass Rd.
Winchester, TN 37398
Dear Mr. Alsup:
This is in regard to the unsportsmanlike incident that occurred during the Shelbyville Central
High School vs. Franklin County High School football contest on Friday, October 23, 2020.
TSSAA requested that the administration of both schools submit all videotapes of the incident to
the state office for our review but were informed by both schools that no videos exist. As a result,
we dealt with the incident based on our conversations with school administrators and their written
report and actions taken which was due in the state office by Wednesday, October 28th. We also
relied on our conversations with the officials who were in charge and their written report which
stated:
We had a brawl between multiple players of both teams with both benches
coming onto the field. We ejected Franklin County players number 63, 3, 57, and
86. We ejected three players from Shelbyville – numbers 15, 53, and 9. We
probably could have had 30 or more. We stopped the game after the brawl with
3:34 left in the third period. Shelbyville was leading 43 to 10.
TSSAA received the written report of the unsportsmanlike incident and actions taken by the
Franklin County High School administration on October 26, 2020. While some of the actions
taken may help ensure this type of situation does not occur again, they do not collectively address
the seriousness of the incident that occurred.
After considering the facts, this case is being closed in the following manner:
1. TSSAA accepts the action taken by the administration to suspend the 4 players who were
ejected from the game by officials and 5 additional involved players who were identified
by the coaching staff for the remainder of the 2020-21 football season.
2. TSSAA accepts the action taken by the administration to not permit the football team to
participate in post-season play, if eligible.
3. TSSAA accepts the action taken by the administration to require the football team to
abstain from ¼ (2 days and 1 scrimmage) of their spring practices.
4. TSSAA accepts the action taken by the administration to only allow the football team to
participate in 1 7-on-7 scrimmage in the spring.
5. TSSAA accepts the action taken by the administration to require the football team to
abstain from 1 fall scrimmage.
In addition to the actions taken by the administration, the following action is being taken by
TSSAA:
1. Franklin County High School must adhere to Article III, Section 7 (Unsportsmanlike
Conduct) as it reads pertaining to "Student-Athletes Ejected for Unsportsmanlike
conduct".
2. Franklin County High School is being fined $250.00 for substitutes leaving the bench
area during an incident as written in the Bylaws.
3. The Franklin County High School football program is being placed on restrictive
probation for two calendar years beginning October 30, 2020, through October 30, 2022,
and fined $1,000. Since the administration placed the football program on restrictive
probation themselves for the first year, TSSAA is waiving the fine associated with that
first year. Article V, Section 4(3) states:
Restrictive probation to an individual sport in an athletic program shall
result in removal from the tournament series and a fine of $1,000
annually.
During the period of restrictive probation, the football program may participate in regular
season contests but cannot participate in post-season competition.
4. The Franklin County High School football program is being placed on probation for two
calendar years beginning October 30, 2020, through October 30, 2022, and fined $1,000.
Article V, Section 4(1) states:
Probation to an individual sport in an athletic program shall result in a
fine of $500 annually.
If there are any other unsportsmanlike incidents involving the football program during the
probationary period, TSSAA may have no choice but to take further action.
5. The Franklin County High School football program is being fined a total of $2250.00
which is due to its unsportsmanlike action on October 23, 2020.
The TSSAA and its member schools believe strongly that the major purpose of athletics at the
secondary level is to be a part of the total educational program. A major part of this purpose is to
stress to coaches, players, officials, and fans the vital importance of sportsmanship. It is critical
that all people in each of these categories understand the major role that they play and the role
model that they can be for others.
If you have any questions concerning this, please feel free to contact our office.
Sincerely,
Bernard Childress
Executive Director
BC:lj
cc: Mr. Don Rhoton, Athletic Director, Franklin County High School
