Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
4.301
07/07/25
Interscholastic Athletics
Rescinds:
Issued:
4.301
08/05/24
1
No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be
2
treated differently from another person or otherwise be discriminated against in any athletic program of
3
the school. Equal athletic opportunities shall be provided for members of both sexes. 1
4
Sex shall be defined as the "immutable characteristics of the person's reproductive system that identify
5
the person as male or female, as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth" 2
6
Student athletes shall only be allowed to participate in athletic activities or events that align with the
7
student's sex indicated on his/her original birth certificate.² The Director of Schools/designee shall
8
require the parent/guardian to provide the student's original birth certificate prior to participation in any
9
interscholastic athletics. If the original birth certificate is not available or does not indicate the student's
10
sex at the time of birth, the parent/guardian shall provide medical documentation showing evidence of
11
the student's sex at birth.
12
Interscholastic athletics shall be administered as a part of the regular school program and shall be the
13
principal's responsibility. Principals shall ensure that school regulations regarding participation in a sport
14
are reasonable. Athletic schedules shall be filed in each school principal's office. The principal or his/her
15
designee must accompany an athletic team on trips. Transportation of teams to athletic games is approved
16
by the Board, provided the team's school reimburses the Board for mileage.
17
Bylaws of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association shall regulate the operation and control
18
of athletics. 3 The Director of Schools shall develop a code of conduct for all coaches to follow in order
19
to ensure the health and safety of athletes. 4
20
In the event that the school's insurance provider does not extend coverage to an athlete, that athlete must
21
provide proof of independently secured catastrophic coverage and liability coverage, with the school
22
system as a named insured, of not less than the limits set forth in TCA § 29-20-403. 5 It shall be the
23
responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to provide health and hospitalization insurance for all students
24
participating in interscholastic athletics.
25
Prior to participation in interscholastic athletics, every student must complete an annual physical
26
examination. 6 The parents/guardians of each student shall be responsible for covering the cost of the
27
examination, and these records shall be on file in the principal's office. It shall be the responsibility of
28
the parent(s) or guardian to provide health and hospitalization insurance for all students participating in
29
interscholastic athletics.
30
No principal or teacher of any school under the control of the Board shall dismiss his/her school or any
31
group of students for the purpose of attending the practice of any interscholastic sport during the school
Version Date: June 23, 2026
Interscholastic Athletics
4.301
1
day without written permission from the Board. 7 This does not prevent the inclusion of regular physical
2
training lessons in the daily school program.
3
Students shall not be required to attend a school athletic event, or event related to participation on a
4
school athletic team, if the event is on an official school holiday, observed day of worship, or religious
5
holiday. The student's parent or legal guardian shall notify the coach in writing three (3) full school days
6
prior to the event. 8
7
SEVERE WEATHER4
8
Severe weather is any type of weather that could impede the safety of any athlete by compromising the
9
playing conditions of the interscholastic sport. Severe weather includes, but is not limited to, thunder,
10
lightning, and extreme temperatures. When severe weather is forecasted, suspension of play shall be
11
discussed with all players, coaches, and officials, if applicable.
12
All coaches who oversee or participate in outdoor training, practice, or competition shall annually
13
complete a heat illness prevention course approved by the Tennessee Department of Health as well as
14
receive training on activity modifications based on environmental conditions.
15
Coaches, employees, and volunteers of the school district shall not encourage, permit, condone or
16
tolerate hazing activities.⁹
17
HOME SCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPATION 10
18
Home school students shall be permitted to participate in accordance with TSSAA or TMSAA
19
guidelines. If a school is not a member with these organizations, home school students that are zoned for
20
the school shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic athletics to the same extent as other students.
21
VIRTUAL SCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPATION¹¹
22
Virtual school students shall be permitted to participate in accordance with TSSAA or TMSAA
23
guidelines. If a school is not a member with these organizations, virtual school students that are zoned
24
for the school shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic athletics to the same extent as other
25
students.
Legal References
Cross References
1.
34 CFR § 106.41: 20 USCA § 1681 et seq.
Special Use of School Vehicles 3.402
2. TCA 49-6-310(a); Public Acts of 2026, Chapter
Student Insurance Program 3.601
No. 938
Extracurricular Activities 4.300
Attendance 6.200
3.
TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.08(1)
4.
TCA 49-6-3601
5.
TCA 29-20-403
6. 20 USCA § 1232h(c); TRR/MS 0520-01-13-
01(1)(a)
7.
TCA 49-6-1002(a)
8.
TCA 49-6-1002(c)
Page 2 of 3
Interscholastic Athletics
4.301
9.
TCA 49-2-120
10. TCA 49-6-3050(e)(1)(B)
11. Public Acts of 2025, Chapter No. 173
Page 3 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Interscholastic Athletics | Descriptor Code: 4.301 | Issued Date: 07/07/25 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 4.301 | Issued: 08/05/24 |

## Table 2

| Legal | References | Cross References |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | 34 CFR § 106.41: 20 USCA § 1681 et seq. | Special Use of School Vehicles 3.402 |
| 2. | TCA 49-6-310(a); Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 938 | Student Insurance Program 3.601 Extracurricular Activities 4.300 |
| 3. | TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.08(1) | Attendance 6.200 |
| 4. | TCA 49-6-3601 |  |
| 5. | TCA 29-20-403 |  |
| 6. | 20 USCA § 1232h(c); TRR/MS 0520-01-13- 01(1)(a) |  |
| 7. | TCA 49-6-1002(a) |  |
| 8. | TCA 49-6-1002(c) |  |