NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Rutherford County man is pushing to make chess an official sport in Tennessee schools.
“We have to do something to help our kids succeed,” Rob Mitchell said. “This reaches and resonates with children.”
Mitchell is currently a real estate appraiser in Rutherford County and has been playing chess since he was five years old. He said the board game can teach players critical thinking, problem-solving and strategic planning skills. He said it also serves as a tool to improve educational performance.
“You can learn to think before you do something and make conscious efforts in decision-making,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell made his pitch in a letter to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). In the letter he also stated that the International Olympic Committee already recognizes chess as a sport. He said setting up programs in schools across the state would be cheaper than many other sports.
“We can create a statewide program for less money than it would cost to fund a 5A football team,” Mitchell said.
While he waits for a response from the TSSAA, Mitchell said he has already been working for the past six months to find ways to integrate chess into more Rutherford County schools.
“I’m just excited about the opportunity to do something new, creative and inexpensive to make a difference in the lives of our communities,” Mitchell said.
A TSSAA spokesperson said all rules and rule changes are made through member schools and the legislative process. Any member school may submit a proposal for a rule change to the Legislative Council. The proposal would then be discussed and voted on at a regional assembly and then presented to the Legislative Council.
Mitchell has also launched a campaign to raise money to purchase chessboards for students: http://spot.fund/m1mrrsc [spot.fund]
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