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If anyone had doubt as to the growth of Sumner County, they need to look no further
than the growing number of schools in the county.
Beginning with the 2003-04 school year, two more county schools have been granted
admission into the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA).
White House Christian Academy, which just completed its inaugural school year, and
Merrol Hyde Magnet School, which will open this fall, are the newest members of
the TSSAA family.
This brings the total to 10 county schools which will be competing in TSSAA athletics
in the coming school year. In 2001-02 there were just six.
Station Camp High School and Pope John Paul II began TSSAA play in 2002-03.
White House Christian Academy fielded teams in boys and girls soccer, basketball,
tennis, golf and cross country this past season.
In preparation for TSSAA classification, the school will add volleyball, softball
and baseball next season.
Brad Jones, the school's Principal, said football is also in the works for the near
future.
"(Joining the TSSAA) is huge," said Jones. "It will take our school to a new level.
We want to be a well-rounded school, academically and athletically."
Unlike its predecessor at Pope John Paul II, White House Christian Academy will not
compete in the all-private Division II, which is made up of scholarship-giving schools.
Instead, it will participate in Division I and be placed in either District 8-A or
10-A.
WHCA has a small upperclass enrollment. Ironically, the school's only graduating senior
this year was Jones' son, Colten, who will be at David Lipscomb next season on a tennis
scholarship.
"We think this will help our enrollment," Jones said. "Athletes like exposure, and
playing in the TSSAA will help that. Every dream of an athlete is to go on and play college
sports, and we'll play against the competition that will help gain that kind of exposure."
Larry Nesbitt is the athletic director at the school. He will be in charge of picking
the right district for the school and organizing the growing list of athletic teams at
the school.
"The staff of coaches we have is unbelievable," Jones said. "We have been blessed to have
some of these coaches."
Merrol Hyde Magnet School, although a public school, will have the feel of a private
school.
Students, in order to attend the school, have to qualify academically in grade point
average and test scores.
The enrollement for the upcoming school year is already filled up.
Principal Brad Schreiner said each student attending the new school will be encouraged
to participate in at least one activity."
"We will offer a full sports program," Schreiner said. "We hope to include every student
in at leas one sport or activity. We urge that."
In its first year, which will include grades 5-9, Merrol Hyde Magnet School will offer
boys and girls golf, basketball, soccer, tennis and bowling, as well as volleyball,
softball, baseball, cheerleading and cross country.
Football will also be a sport that will be building a foundation during the first year.
"We are developing football for the 2004 season," Schreiner said.
The choice school is the second of its kind in Sumner County. It will begin classification
in most likely District 8-A or 10-A.
In 2003-04, the school will be K-11, followed by K-12 the following year.
It will depend on the sport, as far as what will be varsity," she said.
Former Gallatin assistant basketball and head tennis coach Lucian Borders will be the
athletic director at the new school.
Merrol Hyde Magnet School will be located at the old Knox Doss Middle School in Hendersonville.
"We will be focused on the well-rounded student," Schreiner said. "If any student already
enrolled for next year would like to particpate in an athletic program, they can call
824-5693."
whlib@viafamily.com
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