The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), based in Montgomery, is the governing body for interscholastic athletics and activities programs for public schools in the U.S. state of Alabama. The AHSAA is a member National Federation of State High School Associations since 1924. The AHSAA merged with the Alabama Interscholastic Athletic Association (AIAA) in 1968, forming one high school athletic association for 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.Alabama Independent School Association 2011-2012 Directory , retrieved November 18, 2011. 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 Heath Harmon.
Championship locations
The 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 (dual team tournament) Cheerleading – Wallace State Community College, Hanceville
History The Alabama High School Athletic Association (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"Seventy-Eight High Schools Are Admitted to State Organization. Alabama High School Athletic Association Organized at Birmingham", Montgomery Advertiser, April 16, 1922.
(Italicized schools indicate schools which have closed or are no longer members of the AHSAA.)
AIAA The Alabama Interscholastic Athletic Association (AIAA) schools included:
Tuscaloosa County Training School Blount Carver Birmingham Carver Montgomery East Highland Jackson-Olin Keith LeFlore Parker R.C. Hatch Talladega County Central Wenonah Williamson
Tuscaloosa County Training, which became Riverside, won 40 games, had no losses, and one tie between 1947 and 1952.
See also List of Alabama High School Athletic Association championships NFHS
References
External links Alabama High School Athletic Association