The influence of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association on the development of girls' basketball in Tennessee 1925-1993.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the important events, decisions, trends, influences, and problems that were factors in the deliberations of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) as girls' basketball became prominent in Tennessee.

This study was designed to include a review of available records and data of the TSSAA. Major emphasis was placed upon the historical development of rules, regulations, and changes that have affected girls' basketball in Tennessee. The study presents information and evidence from individuals, agencies, publications, and related material that in any way had an effect upon the development of the TSSAA and girls' basketball. It was the intent of this study to present information from the time of the organization of girls' basketball and the TSSAA through 1993. The study also attempted to trace the records and available data from the time which actually preceded the inception of the TSSAA until 1993.

When Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball in 1891, the thirteen rules he developed were intended for play by men. By 1899, the first rules which were designed to eliminate various rough and inappropriate features of the men's game were written for women to accommodate their athletic abilities.

Prior to 1925, there were no standards or regulations for interscholastic athletics in Tennessee. A group of high school principals, meeting at the state teachers meeting, formed an organization to stimulate and regulate athletic relations. This organization is now known as the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.

Through the guidance of the TSSAA, rules and regulations governing such items as eligibility standards, academic standards, modification of rules for girls' play, tournament formats, and classification systems have been developed and enforced.

The influence and guidance of the TSSAA has certainly created one of the stronger girls' basketball programs in the United States through national rankings of not only high school teams and coaches, but also at the college level. Through sound leadership of school administrators, coaches, and state officials, Tennessee had gained national prominence in the area of interscholastic athletics.