Athletics

Tim James,
Director of Athletics

Office Phone: (423) 498-6714
Hamilton County Schools
3074 Claude Ramsey Pkwy
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Participation Requirements & Information

Below are the necessary forms that must be completed before a student participates in any athletic activity in Hamilton Schools. A student must have a current physical ( after April 15th of the previous school year to be considered current) on file with the Coach of the sport. In addition, a current “Parental Consent to Treat” form must also be on file in conjunction with an up-to-date “Concussion”, and “Sudden Cardiac” Forms. If you are a home school student who chooses to compete at the school for which you would be zoned; you will need to complete the “Home School” Form and have received District level approval prior to participating.

Sportsmanship Promotion
Girls Flag Football

First-Time Athletic Transfer

The TSSAA one-time transfer rule allows middle and high school student-athletes to transfer schools once without a bona fide change of address and remain immediately eligible to compete in varsity sports. The move must occur between school years, and the sending school’s administration must verify the transfer is not for athletic or disciplinary reasons.

Middle School First Time Athletic TransferHigh School First Time Athletic Transfer

Key Requirements

  • Eligibility Limit: This “free” transfer is only available once during grades 6–8 and once during grades 9–12.
  • Timing: Transfers must take place between school years (during the summer, before the start of the school year) to maintain immediate eligibility. Mid-year transfers may require a hardship waiver.
  • Prior Athletic Record: If an athlete with an established varsity record has already transferred (even with a change of address), any subsequent transfer will require approval through a formal hardship appeal.

Important Restrictions & Exceptions

Even under the first-time transfer provision, student-athletes must still meet all other standard TSSAA eligibility requirements:
  • Age & Semesters: The student must meet age limits and have not been enrolled more than eight semesters since first entering 9th grade.
  • Academics: The student must be academically eligible (i.e., earned enough credits) at the time of transfer.
  • Coaching Links: Athletes cannot be immediately eligible at the new school if there is a “coaching link” (i.e., following a coach who transferred or coached them in the past 12 months).
  • Illegal Recruitment: Eligibility is immediately voided if the student was illegally recruited to the new school.
  • Disciplinary Status: Students cannot transfer to avoid a disciplinary suspension

Athletics Forms

Student-Athlete Safe-Guard Policies

FinalForms

Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga uses FinalForms for online forms and waivers. Parents can use the FinalForms portal, hamiltoncounty-tn.finalforms.com, to register students, complete forms, and access information about deadlines. The system provides a convenient way to manage forms for multiple students and ensures a secure, mobile-accessible experience.

Here’s how to access and use FinalForms:

  • Access the Portal:

Go to https://hamiltoncounty-tn.finalforms.com/.

  • New Account:

If you don’t have an account, click the “New Account” button, enter your name, date of birth, and email, and click “Register”.

  • Account Confirmation:

You’ll receive an email to confirm your account. Open the email and click the “Confirm Your Account” link.

  • Password and Student Registration:

Create a password and then click “Register Student” to register your first child.

  • Multiple Students:

If you have multiple children, you can add them using the “My Students” option after registering the first.

  • Required Information:

Gather necessary information like medical history, insurance details, etc., for a smoother registration process.

  • Sports Selection:

When registering for sports, select all sports your child participates in or intends to try out for.

HCS State Champions

Hamilton County Schools had an outstanding year at the 2026 TSSAA State Championships. Once the dust settled, Hamilton County High Schools accounted for 7 team championships, 5 team state runners-up, and over 30 individual event state champions

Congratulations to all of the athletes, their coaches, schools, and communities. You have made us all very proud!