Alabama High School Athletic Association
The Alabama High School Athletic Association, 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 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, it is not the only such organization. The Alabama Independent School Association sanctions athletics for approximately 40 private schools throughout the state. 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 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 ; Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex, Birmingham
- Cheerleading – Wallace State Community College, Hanceville
History
The AHSAA was founded in 1921. Charter member schools were:- AbbevilleAlbany
- Aliceville
- Andalusia
- Auburn
- Baldwin CountyBarton Academy
- Bessemer City
- Bibb CountyBuhlCarrolltonChambers County
- Charles Henderson
- Chilton CountyClio
- Coffeeville
- Colbert CountyConecuh County
- Cullman
- Dadeville
- Demopolis
- Dothan
- Elmore County
- Enterprise
- Escambia CountyEvergreen
- Fayette County
- Geneva County
- Georgiana
- Gordo
- Greensboro
- Greenville
- Guntersville
- Hackleburg
- Hamilton
- Headland
- Highland Home
- Jackson
- Lamar County
- Lauderdale County
- LincolnLowndes County
- MarburyMarengo County
- Marion County
- Monroe County
- Mortimer Jordan
- Munford
- New Brockton
- Notasulga
- Oneonta
- Opelika
- OxfordPalmetto School
- Pell CityPhillips
- Pickens CountyPike Road
- PrattvilleRamer
- Russellville
- Selma
- Shelby County
- Sidney LanierSimpsonSpring Hill
- Springville
- St. Clair County
- Sylacauga
- Tarrant
- ThomasvilleTuskegee
- UMS-WrightUniontown
- ValleyWagarville
- Walker
- Winston County
AIAA
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