The Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) represents NJCAA Region VII excellence across the Volunteer State—and YOU, the fans, are at the heart of that success. Whether you’re cheering Walters State’s top-ranked baseball team or making history through the conference’s innovative NIL support under Tennessee’s SB 536, your involvement fuels both pride and performance. Here’s how you can actively support your favorite TCCAA athletes through NIL platforms.
Why the TCCAA Matters in NIL
The Tennessee Community College Athletic Association is a unique NIL environment for several reasons:
- Tennessee’s Aggressive NIL Laws: Senate Bill 536 (signed May 2025) allows “unlimited” NIL compensation and permits coaches and staff to directly assist athletes in finding deals—a significant recruiting advantage over other states.
- NJCAA Region VII Excellence: The TCCAA is the premier junior college athletic conference in Tennessee, serving as the primary pipeline for talent development between high school and four-year university programs.
- Tennessee law protects community colleges from NIL-related liability. Legal risk shifts to the NCAA or other governing bodies if their rules are anticompetitive.
- Eligibility Protection: Student-athletes cannot be penalized with loss of eligibility or scholarship for earning NIL income that is legal under Tennessee state law.
- The JUCO Springboard: Many high-level recruits choose TCCAA schools to refine their skills and build NIL portfolios before re-entering the transfer portal with higher market value for D1 programs.
- Conference Expansion: Pellissippi State formally joined the athletic circuit in 2023, expanding access to junior college sports in the Knoxville metropolitan area.
TCCAA athletes compete in the most permissive NIL environment in junior college athletics. Fan support connects Tennessee communities with student-athletes.
TCCAA NIL by School
NIL activity spans TCCAA programs across Tennessee’s three Grand Divisions:
Eastern Division
- Chattanooga State (Tigers): ~10,121 enrollment. Major Southeast Tennessee market.
- Cleveland State (Cougars): ~3,700 enrollment. Strong Bradley County fanbase.
- Motlow State (Bucks): ~5,000 enrollment. Tied to Coffee County communities.
- Pellissippi State (Panthers): Knoxville metro. Newest member (2023).
- Roane State (Raiders): ~6,214 enrollment. Hosts innovative NIL Club for men’s basketball.
- Walters State (Senators): Morristown community support with ~6,980 enrollment. Conference leader in NIL infrastructure with the Opendorse marketplace. National baseball power.
Western Division
- Columbia State (Chargers): ~5,437 enrollment. Leads in offensive stats and rebounding.
- Dyersburg State (Eagles): Dyersburg market. Consistent D1 talent pipeline.
- Jackson State (Green Jays): Jackson region. Building NIL infrastructure.
- Southwest Tennessee (Saluqis): ~6,391 enrollment. Shelby County/Memphis market.
- Volunteer State (Pioneers): Gallatin community support with ~8,900 enrollment. Nashville metro market access with a growing suburban fanbase.
TCCAA NIL Beyond Basketball
The TCCAA excels in NIL across multiple sports:
- Men’s Basketball: Primary driver of athletic visibility. Walters State leads in PPG (94.8) and APG (22.2) with elite perimeter shooting (38.5% from three).
- Baseball: Walters State is a national power with multiple MLB draft picks, including Liam Doyle (5th round to Tennessee/UTK). Strong NIL activity through the Opendorse marketplace.
- Women’s Volleyball: Growing NIL opportunities with athletes like Emma Miller on the Walters State marketplace (starting at $5).
- Men’s Cross Country/Golf: Athletes like Samuel Runyan (cross country) and Tucker McLain (golf) are finding micro-transaction opportunities through shoutouts and endorsements.
Fan-powered platforms enable support across all TCCAA sports—not just revenue sports. The “long-tail” model of NIL micro-transactions is critical for community colleges, where the volume of small deals collectively provides significant support.
How TCCAA Fans Can Support Athletes
TCCAA fans can support athletes through multiple channels:
Opendorse Marketplace (Walters State Model)
Walters State leads the conference in NIL with its branded Opendorse marketplace. Fans and businesses can browse athlete profiles and book services.
| Athlete | Sport | Starting Price | Followers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Da'Mori Lytch | Men's Basketball | $19 | 2.4k+ |
| Davis Peralta Lawson | Baseball | $12 | 1.3k+ |
| Austin Treadwell | Baseball | $12 | 1.1k+ |
| Eli Koch | Baseball | $12 | 700+ |
| Emma Miller | Women's Volleyball | $5 | N/A |
| Samuel Runyan | Men's Cross Country | $12 | N/A |
| Tucker McLain | Men's Golf | $12 | N/A |
NIL Clubs (Roane State Model)
The Roane State Men’s Basketball NIL Club is an athlete-run fan community:
- Subscription-Based Access: Fans pay a monthly fee for exclusive team content and community events
- Equal Revenue Distribution: All proceeds are split equally among participating athletes, minimizing team friction
- Content Creation: Athletes create exclusive content together, turning the team into a decentralized media company
Influxer Merchandise
- Athletes opt in and receive personalized webpages within school stores.
- Products include hats, shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, and tumblers.
- Athletes receive royalties (e.g., $6.00 per t-shirt) directly.
- The platform provides coaching on social media marketing, branding, and tax implications.
Local Business Partnerships
In Tullahoma, Harriman, and Morristown, community college athletes are often more recognizable than pro athletes. Local businesses partner with them for authentic marketing that benefits both parties.
Tennessee’s NIL Legal Advantage
Tennessee has positioned itself at the forefront of athlete-centric NIL legislation:
Key Legislation Timeline
- HB 1351 (January 2022): Initial framework allowing athletes to earn NIL compensation
- HB 2249 (April 2022): Clarified fair market value requirements and prohibited pay-for-play
- SB 536 (May 2025): Expanded to “unlimited” NIL compensation unless limited by federal law or court order
SB 536 Key Innovations
- Direct Institutional Involvement: Coaches and staff can directly help athletes find NIL deals (cannot coerce)
- Liability Shifting: Legal repercussions are shifted to the NCAA if its rules are found to be anticompetitive.
- Antitrust Immunity: Tennessee schools don’t have to follow NCAA rules that lessen competition in the state
- Eligibility Protection: Athletes can’t lose eligibility for legal NIL earnings under state law
TCCAA vs. MACCC (Mississippi) Comparison
| Feature | TCCAA (Tennessee) | MACCC (Mississippi) |
|---|---|---|
| State Law Stance | Aggressive / Unlimited | Standard framework |
| Institutional Assistance | Coaches can directly assist | Third-party led |
| Liability Protection | Shifted to NCAA by statute | Standard institutional |
| Recruiting Edge | Significant advantage | Standard |
The Transfer Portal and JUCO Pipeline
The TCCAA serves as a primary talent pipeline for Division I and Division II programs:
For Athletes
- Many high-level recruits choose TCCAA schools to refine skills and build NIL portfolios.
- Athletes can re-enter the portal with a higher market value after JUCO development.
- Platforms like Opendorse allow athletes to build “brand resumes” while in junior college.
Compliance Requirements
- Transfer athletes must report all NIL deals worth $ 600 or more from their JUCO tenure.
- Reports must be filed within 14 days of full-time enrollment or before the first game.
- Failure to report within 5 days of deal execution may result in loss of eligibility.
This documentation requirement means TCCAA schools must keep professional compliance records for every athlete. One undocumented $600 deal could jeopardize a player’s D1 scholarship.
Ready to Support TCCAA Athletes?
Take action now: explore verified TCCAA athletes on platforms like Opendorse, join NIL Clubs, or purchase athlete merchandise through Influxer. Your support directly helps student-athletes thrive in this new era of college athletics in Tennessee.
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can TCCAA fans support athletes through NIL?
TCCAA fans can support athletes through Opendorse marketplaces (like Walters State’s branded platform), NIL Clubs (like Roane State’s subscription model), Influxer merchandise purchases, or direct local business partnerships. Tennessee’s SB 536 allows coaches to help facilitate these connections.
Which TCCAA schools have NIL platforms?
Walters State has established a leading NIL profile through Opendorse, while Roane State has pioneered the NIL Club model for men’s basketball. All 11 TCCAA institutions benefit from Tennessee’s permissive NIL laws, which allow institutions to be involved in deal facilitation.
What makes Tennessee’s NIL laws different?
Tennessee’s SB 536 (May 2025) allows “unlimited” NIL compensation, permits coaches and staff to directly assist athletes in finding deals, shifts liability to the NCAA for anticompetitive rules, and protects athlete eligibility for legal NIL earnings. This creates a significant recruiting advantage over states with more restrictive frameworks.
How does the transfer portal affect TCCAA NIL?
TCCAA serves as a development pipeline for D1 programs. Athletes entering the portal evaluate NIL opportunities alongside academics, playing time, and coaching. Transfer athletes must report all NIL deals worth $600+ from their JUCO tenure within 14 days of enrollment at their new institution.
What sports have NIL opportunities in the TCCAA?
While men’s basketball and baseball drive the most visibility, NIL opportunities exist across all TCCAA sports, including women’s volleyball, cross country, and golf. The “long-tail” model of micro-transactions (starting at $5) supports athletes in non-revenue sports.
What is the TCCAA’s relationship with the NJCAA?
The TCCAA operates within NJCAA Region VII. While NJCAA policy prohibits “pay-for-play” and direct payment for performance, Tennessee’s state law protects athletes earning unlimited NIL compensation for their brand. TCCAA schools must balance following state law while ensuring no specific deal appears to be a performance bonus.
Which TCCAA schools are in the Eastern vs. Western Division?
Eastern Division: Chattanooga State, Cleveland State, Motlow State, Pellissippi State, Roane State, and Walters State. Western Division: Columbia State, Dyersburg State, Jackson State, Southwest Tennessee, and Volunteer State.
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