NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans and BlueCross Blue Shield honored head coaches and team captains that have been recognized as the Tennessee High School State Champions and winners of the 2015 BlueCross Bowl during the Titans-Texans game at Nissan Stadium.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has been a proud sponsor since 2000 of the Tennessee High School Football Championship. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association and BlueCross initiated the BlueCross Championship Series in 2011 to recognize athletic excellence and sportsmanship in high schools across the state.
"At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee we think sports are a great way for young people to learn life lessons like discipline, commitment and teamwork," said John Maki, Vice-President of Sales and Account Management for BlueCross BlueShield. "And, like our campaign "Live Fearless," sports give student athletes the chance to be active and live life to the fullest — to become champions both on the field and in life. In speaking with the coaches and players recognized at the game yesterday it is a thrill for them to be on the field for an NFL game and it is an honor for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee to partner with the Titans to give these players and coaches an experience they will never forget."
The BlueCross Championship Series recognizes those Tennessee high schools with the highest performing athletic programs each school year. Schools are awarded points based on quarterfinal, semifinal, final round and championship appearances with the potential points earned increasing at each level of competition. Sports with individual and team competitions will earn points based on team composite scores, not individual performances. Sports without a tiered quarterfinal, semifinal, final and championship round system will be awarded points based on final standings at championship events. The total points earned will be divided by the number of sports offered at that school to create an average point total. The BlueCross Championship Series groups schools according to their competitive division and class as assigned by the TSSAA, with a total of two Division II and three Divisions I classes.
The Titans and BlueCross Blue Shield honor coaches and team captains of the winners of the 2015 BlueCross Bowl at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Lynne McCracken, Donn Jones)
As a way of recognizing sportsmanship among Tennessee high schools, only schools that have no reported incidents of unsportsmanlike behavior during the school year are eligible to earn the title of BlueCross Champion in its competitive class.
"Partnering with High School Football has been an emphasis for the Titans from ownership on down throughout the organization since day one," said Brad McClanahan, Titans Director of Marketing. "This program with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a perfect extension of that– it's truly 'a natural'."
The Tennessee High School Football State Champions and winners of the 2014 BlueCross Bowl are:
• Division II Class ASt. George's Independent School led by Head Coach David Carter
• Division II Class AABrentwood Academy led by Head Coach Cody White
• Class 1ANashville Christian School led by Head Coach Jeff Brothers
• Class 2ATrezevant High School led by Head Coach Teli White
• Class 3AAlcoa High School led by Head Coach Gary Rankin
• Class 4AKnoxville Catholic High School led by Coach Steve Matthews
• Class 5AIndependence High School led by Head Coach Scott Blade
• Class 6ARavenwood High School led by Head Coach Will Hester
About BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, Inc.
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, Inc. (THF) was established in December 2003 as a 501(c) (3) foundation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee by awarding grants focused on high-impact initiatives across the state, which promote healthy lifestyle choices and help control health care costs for all Tennessee residents. THF, working with civic and economic partners, is dedicated to the support of research, innovative programs and creative approaches to improve the health and quality of life of Tennesseans for generations to come.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation' mission is dedicated to enhancing quality of life by awarding grants that improve health, public education and economic development for Tennesseans.
