Fresh off winning three state championships last school year in TSSAA's Division I (public school / non-scholarship) Lebanon's Friendship Christian School will move to the TSSAA's Division II for the next four years.

"We believe that this decision is consistent with our mission," said FCS President Jon Shoulders. "In our efforts to fully educate ourselves to arrive at this decision, we have had conversations and received feedback from our stakeholders, as well as administrators, coaches, athletic directors and leaders of Division II schools with whom we would be competing.  We feel strongly that this is the right decision for our school at this time."

In the 2011-2012 academic year, Commander athletic programs won state championships in Class 1A volleyball, Class 2A football and Class 1A boy's basketball. In the future, FCS will be able to offer financial aid to student-athletes on a case-by-case need basis.

In the past, students receiving financial aid or who were involved in "work study" were ineligible to participate in varsity athletics.

Yesterday (Tuesday) was the deadline for TSSAA member schools to declare their intentions for the next four years.

"We want to be competitive in athletics and have recently achieved noted success," Shoulders said. "We are very proud of our state championships in various sports; but our commitment remains unwavering to educate our students, mind, body and soul.

"Rest assured that the FCS Board of Directors, administration, coaching staff and entire faculty all agree that it is our utmost priority to hold in highest regard the mission of our school. This decision is in support of our mission to provide an excellent education in a Christian environment to our growing student body."