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The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), based in Montgomery, is the governing body for interscholastic athletics and activities programs for public schools in Alabama.
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| Abbreviation | AHSAA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1921 |
| Type | 501(c)(3) - Tax Exemption |
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose | Athletic/Educational |
| Headquarters | 7325 Halcyon Summit Dr. Montgomery, Alabama 36117 |
Region served | Alabama |
| Membership | 401 senior high schools; 287 junior high schools |
Official language | English |
Executive Director | Alvin Briggs |
| Affiliations | National Federation of State High School Associations |
| Staff | 13 |
| Website | ahsaa.com |
| Remarks | (334) 263-6994 |
The AHSAA is a member National Federation of State High School Associations since 1924.
The AHSAA merged with the Alabama Interscholastic Athletic Association in 1968, forming one high school athletic association for the State of Alabama in accordance with a court order relating to athletics. The AIAA had previously governed athletics at segregated African-American schools.
The AHSAA sponsors state championship programs in 13 boys and 14 girls sports: Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Football, Flag Football, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Bowling, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Esports, Cheerleading and Indoor Track.
While the AHSAA is the primary sanctioning organization for high school sports in Alabama (and the only one allowed for public schools), it is not the only such organization. The Alabama Independent School Association sanctions athletics for approximately 40 private schools throughout the state.[1] Other smaller organizations, such as the Alabama Christian Sports Conference and the Alabama Christian Athletic and Academic Association, sanction sports from smaller Christian schools and home schools, particularly in eight-man football.
The current executive director is Alvin Briggs.
Championship locations
editThe AHSAA sponsors state championship events in various locations across the state of Alabama. Currently, championships are held in the following locations:
- Football ("Super 7") alternates in a three stadium rotation between Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, and Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn
- Basketball – Legacy Arena, Birmingham
- Baseball – Paterson Field & Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery
- Cross Country – Oakville Indian Mounds, Lawrence County
- Indoor Track and Field – Birmingham CrossPlex, Birmingham
- Softball – Lagoon Park, Montgomery
- Soccer – John Hunt Park, Huntsville
- Swimming – James E. Martin Aquatics Center, Auburn
- Tennis – Decatur, Mobile, and Montgomery
- Outdoor Track and Field – Gulf Shores
- Volleyball – Birmingham CrossPlex, Birmingham
- Wrestling – Von Braun Center, Huntsville (traditional tournament); Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex, Birmingham (duals tournament)
- Cheerleading – Wallace State Community College, Hanceville
History
editThe AHSAA was founded in 1921. Charter member schools were:
- Abbeville
- Albany
- Aliceville
- Andalusia
- Auburn
- Baldwin County
- Barton Academy
- Bessemer City
- Bibb County
- Buhl
- Carrollton
- Chambers County
- Charles Henderson
- Chilton County
- Clio
- Coffeeville
- Colbert County
- Conecuh County
- Cullman
- Dadeville
- Demopolis
- Dothan
- Elmore County
- Enterprise
- Escambia County
- Evergreen
- Fayette County
- Geneva County
- Georgiana
- Gordo
- Greensboro
- Greenville
- Guntersville
- Hackleburg
- Hamilton
- Headland
- Highland Home
- Jackson
- Lamar County
- Lauderdale County
- Lincoln
- Lowndes County
- Marbury
- Marengo County
- Marion County
- Monroe County
- Mortimer Jordan
- Munford
- New Brockton
- Notasulga
- Oneonta
- Opelika
- Oxford
- Palmetto School
- Pell City
- Phillips (Birmingham)
- Pickens County
- Pike Road
- Prattville
- Ramer
- Russellville
- Selma
- Shelby County
- Sidney Lanier
- Simpson
- Spring Hill
- Springville
- St. Clair County
- Sylacauga
- Tarrant
- Thomasville
- Tuskegee
- UMS-Wright
- Uniontown
- Valley
- Wagarville
- Walker
- Winston County[2]
(Italicized schools indicate schools which have closed or are no longer members of the AHSAA.)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Alabama Independent School Association 2011-2012 Directory Archived 2011-12-26 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Seventy-Eight High Schools Are Admitted to State Organization. Alabama High School Athletic Association Organized at Birmingham", Montgomery Advertiser, April 16, 1922.