Rockvale football on TSSAA probation after self-reporting recruiting violation
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The Rockvale football program was placed on a two-year probation by the TSSAA recently after the school self-reported recruiting violations
According to a letter sent to the school by the TSSAA and signed by executive director Mark Reeves on Dec. 11, the organization accepted Rockvale's recommendation of placing the football program on a two-year probation, which will run through the end of the 2026-27 school year.
The team will also reduce the number of spring practices by two days, will remove one scrimmage and the school will have a comprehensive re-training of all coaching staff on TSSAA protocols against recruiting. Those were also accepted recommendations by the school.
The discipline stems from a November meeting between Rockvale Coach James Counce, other coaches, and a prospective student's family. The actions were in conflict with the TSSAA Guidelines for Understanding the Recruiting Rule, the letter states.
The investigation conducted by Rockvale High confirmed that TSSAA guidelines were not followed during the interaction.
"Rather than informing the family that they would need to contact an administrator responsible for the admissions process, Coach Counce attempted to call the mother, but the call went unanswered. Immediately afterward, the mother returned Coach Counce’s call," the letter states. "The coaches told the mom that they would be on campus for a basketball game on (Nov. 22) and informed the parents that they would be willing to show them around if they were interested. The family came to Rockvale on the 22nd, asked questions regarding the football program, and was shown the athletic facility."
The letter states, "After considering the facts, it was determined that members of the Rockvale High School football coaching staff had violated Article II, Section 17 (Recruiting Rule). The administration at Rockvale High School was asked to provide corrective action for their program in response to this incident. The administration submitted their response via email on (Dec. 9)."
Article II, Section 17 of the TSSAA rulebook states, "Athletic recruiting is prohibited. Athletic recruiting is the use of influence on a student or the parents or guardians of a student, by any person(s) directly or indirectly associated with the school, to secure or retain a student for athletic purposes. In the event that there is a violation of this rule, there shall be a penalty against the school, and the student(s) who was the subject of the violation shall be ineligible for a minimum of one year.
"It was inadvertent contact with a player," Rockvale principal Steve Luker said. "We’re going to try to do the right things here at Rockvale. But there's no excuse. It was a violation of the recruiting rule in our eyes. That’s why we self reported."
Rockvale finished 4-6 during Counce's first season after the longtime coach left Henry County to take the Rockets' position.
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Rockvale on two-year TSSAA football probation after recruiting violation
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