December 19, 2023

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Mr. Matt Brookshire, Principal
Greenback High School
6945 Morganton Road
Greenback, TN 37742

Dear Mr. Brookshire:

This is in reference to the altercation that occurred during the basketball game between Greenback and Oakdale on December 15, 2023. With 54.2 seconds left in the 4th quarter of the game, a fight started in the stands between two spectators opposite the team benches. The fight escalated with a number of spectators and players rushing across the court. Players from both schools entered the stands and began fighting with the spectators. A portion of the official’s report is found below:

In the judgment of the crew, the fighting did not come under control and the situation on the floor and in the stands was fluid and unsafe, as spectators and players were still actively trying to join the altercation.

Additionally, there was no security presence on the court area and unlikely to be anytime soon. The crew opted to end the game and leave the floor at that point. We notified the official scorer and school site administrator (both at scorer's table) of the decision to end the contest with the final score Oakwood 70 Greenback 59. Prior to leaving the floor an object was thrown at the crew from what appeared to be the home team seating area behind the benches.At the time the crew left the floor, there were still altercations occurring on and off the court.

The administration from Greenback High School was asked to report on what disciplinary action they would be taking in response to this incident. TSSAA received the report from Mr. Matt Brookshire on December 18. Upon review of the footage of the altercation, the officials report, and the actions that the Greenback administration will be taking in response to this incident, we will be closing this case in the following manner.

1. TSSAA accepts the action of the Greenback administration to enforce the minimum two game suspension for the players that left the bench area to participate in the altercation in the bleachers.

2. Greenback High School was fined $250 for the two players who came off the bench as required per Article III, Section 8(b) of the TSSAA Bylaws.

3. Greenback High School was fined $250 for the spectators who came onto the floor during the altercation as required per Article III, Section 8(c) of the TSSAA Bylaws.

4. TSSAA acknowledges the action taken by the Greenback administration to suspend the fan who was involved in the altercation for two games per Loudon County policy. The fan will also be required to reimburse the school for the $250 fine imposed by TSSAA for spectators coming onto the floor before being allowed to return to a contest.

In addition to the disciplinary imposed by the administration of Greenback High School, the Boys’ Basketball program will be placed on restrictive probation for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year. A portion of Article V, Section 4 of the TSSAA Constitution states the following:

Restrictive probation to an individual sport in an athletic program shall result in removal from the tournament series and a fine of $1,000.00 annually. Greenback High School will not be allowed to participate in the 2024 postseason basketball tournaments as a result of this incident. In addition to aforementioned actions, the basketball program will be placed on probation for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. A portion of Article V, Section 4(1) states:

Probation to an individual sport in an athletic program shall result in a fine of $500.00 annually. (Schools who are on probation remain eligible for the postseason tournament series.)

It is important to communicate to your school community that additional incidents of this nature while on probation will result in severe consequences.

It is our understanding that Greenback High School’s administration is consulting legal counsel to determine what, if any, additional disciplinary action will be taken against the Greenback players and fans involved in the altercation. We are requesting that the administration of Greenback High School report the final findings to TSSAA.

If you have any questions about this ruling, please contact me and we will schedule a call to discuss. If you would like to appeal this decision to the TSSAA Board of Control at their January 11 meeting, please contact Lauren Jones at ljones@tssaa.org and she will make the necessary arrangements.

Respectfully,
Mark Reeves
Executive Director