Columbia Academy Bulldogs Football Helmet
COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE (March 9, 2018) – After careful consideration, research, and planning, the Columbia Academy Board of Directors and administration have made the decision to request a move to competition in Division II, or the private school division, of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). This request is on the agenda to be presented to the TSSAA Board of Control for a vote at the March 13 meeting. If approved, it would be effective in the 2019-2020 school year. According to President Dr. James Thomas, the school is ready and excited about the change.
“Our top priorities are and always will be the spiritual development and academic preparation of our students,” Thomas said. “While athletic success is not our top priority, we cannot ignore the fact that athletics can be a powerful tool to help us shape young lives and reach a broader audience with our mission. Athletics also provides our CA family with a sense of community and school pride. This decision to change divisions will not equal a change in our priorities. Ultimately, we want to compete in a league where we are welcomed as partners. At this time, we feel this change is most in line with our school’s mission, and we’re ready and excited for this transition.”
Because of this anticipated change in 2019, CA will be allowed, for the first time, to offer need-based financial aid to varsity athletes. This aid is based on demonstrated financial need, according to Thomas, as determined by TSSAA approved third-party agencies that review financial need for all applicants. CA currently plans to cap financial aid at a maximum award of 50% of tuition.
“After much discussion at the board level, we believe this policy will help us maintain our priorities and ensure that everyone who attends Columbia Academy is fully committed to being part of our community,” Thomas said.
Additionally, joining Division II would also allow student athletes to earn tuition assistance through work study, an opportunity that was revoked under new rules implemented one year ago. The TSSAA rules that prohibit athletic recruiting at all schools will still be in effect in Division II.Columbia Academy plans a move to Division II in 2019, p. 2
“With this move to Division II, we are excited that families of athletes who might not be able to afford the full cost of tuition will now be able to receive some financial assistance and not lose their athletic eligibility,” said Thomas. “We believe our mission is expanded when we are able to offer Christian education to additional students and families who we were not previously able to serve.”
The majority of schools in Division II that would compete with CA will be in the greater Nashville area. While travel distances will increase for some weekday games, overall the travel burden will be reasonable, Thomas added. CA will also have the option to schedule regular season games with public schools that choose to play the Bulldogs.
“While we believe a successful athletic program isn’t simply defined by wins and losses, our mission for athletics is to offer a ‘consistently competitive, Christ centered athletic program’,” said Athletic Director Pernell Knox. “Everything we’ve been doing for years has been leading us toward this new level of competition. Many of our coaches have already been scheduling and competing well with Division II teams over the past few years. The ‘sky is the limit’ for CA athletics in Division II, and we are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
