CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – An investigation by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) shows that a coach with Clarksville Academy’s baseball team violated TSSAA recruitment bylaws.

According to a press release, Assistant Coach Matt Sundstrom sent text messages to the parent of a player at another school in an attempt to encourage him to transfer his son to Clarksville Academy.

TSSAA’s bylaws state that athletic recruiting is prohibited. Athletic recruiting is defined as the use of influence on a student or the parents by anyone directly or indirectly associated with the school.

The administration at Clarksville Academy was asked by TSSAA to investigate the situation. Their findings were reported to the agency on March 2.

TSSAA reviewed the findings and acknowledged the following actions taken by the Clarksville Academy administration:
• Coach Sundstrom has been suspended from all baseball activities beginning March 1 and ending March 16.
• Clarksville Academy will reduce its 2017 baseball schedule from 30 to 28 games.
• The baseball program will be placed on probation for one year.
• Clarksville Academy will submit a $1,000 fine.
• Coach Sundstrom will have $500 stripped from his coaches stipend and has been placed on probation for one year.
• Spring of 2018 official practice will be reduced by one week.

TSSAA also said the student-athlete involved will be ineligible to participate in athletics at Clarksville Academy for one year.

The communication between Sundstrom and the parent read as follows:
“Hello my name is Matt Sundstrom. I just wanted to reach out to you to let you know I am the pitching coach at CA, and also the director of youth baseball with the Clarksville Orioles. We are excited to have ( ), and I believe he is loving the move. We would love to have you as well. We are very familiar with ( ). If you want good coaching, a great environment, and quality education, we are the place to be. It is my mission to place as many kids in a college baseball program as I can. This is what drives me. This will be my measure of success. Winning will take care of itself. With our move to Division 2 we are building a baseball powerhouse. We are already a college prep school academically, and now we are becoming a college prep baseball program. If you want more info let me know. I can put you in touch with the office for a visit. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. If you need to know my baseball background feel free to check out the coaches page on our Orioles website.”