AHSAA Approves Record $2.25 Million Return to Member Schools and Sanctions New Championship Sports
Montgomery, AL – History was made at the annual summer Central Board of Control meeting of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) as the Board unanimously approved the return of a staggering $2.25 million to its member schools under the School Athletics Grants Program. This program, previously known as Revenue Sharing, has been in place since 2009-2010, and this year’s return marks the largest in its history.
The AHSAA’s commitment to supporting its member schools doesn’t stop there. For the 32nd consecutive year, the Central Board also waived the membership dues for all schools, providing an annual savings of over $85,000.
In a groundbreaking move for Girls’ sports, the Central Board voted to sanction Girls’ Flag Football and Girls’ Wrestling as championship sports, set to kick off during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 classification periods. This decision comes after a remarkable surge in interest and participation in both sports, showcasing the AHSAA’s dedication to fostering female student-athletes’ growth and opportunities.
AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs also received approval for the formation of a By-Law Task Force. This task force will be responsible for a comprehensive review of the AHSAA’s current by-laws, ensuring that they remain up-to-date and relevant.
The Revenue Share Program’s success has been outstanding. Since its inception 14 years ago, it has distributed a cumulative total of $23,450,000 to member schools. The surplus funds are returned to the schools when the AHSAA maintains at least one year of working capital in reserve, a testament to the association’s responsible financial management.
Commenting on these developments, Alvin Briggs expressed his pride in the Central Board’s leadership and the member schools’ efforts, which led to the record $2.25 million return to the schools. He also acknowledged the significance of waiving membership dues for almost four decades, saving member schools approximately $2.6 million in total.
The sanctioning of Girls’ Flag Football and Girls’ Wrestling is seen as a milestone for the AHSAA. The growth of these sports has been remarkable, and the addition of two girls’ flag tournament championship games to the AHSAA Super 7 Championships on December 6th at Bryant-Denny Stadium will further elevate their status.
The Central Board meeting also saw the approval of various recommendations from AHSAA coaches’ sports committees, which will be incorporated into the upcoming 2023-24 AHSAA Sports Book, available online at www.ahsaa.com.
With these groundbreaking decisions and prudent financial management, the AHSAA is setting a strong course for the future, providing equal opportunities and support to student-athletes across the state. As the AHSAA continues to move forward, the newly established By-Law Task Force will play a vital role in guiding the association.
In addition to the approvals mentioned above, the Central Board also greenlit the financial reports for various sports championships and approved budgets for the AHSAA and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) for the 2023-24 school year.
As the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years approach, the classification process and timeline were also approved, ensuring a smooth transition for member schools.
Furthermore, the AHSAA Strategic Planning Committee for 2023-2028 received approval, demonstrating the association’s commitment to strategic growth and improvement.
In conclusion, the AHSAA Central Board meeting showcased an unwavering dedication to member schools, the promotion of female participation in athletics, and responsible financial practices. These decisions will undoubtedly shape the future of high school athletics in Alabama and continue to foster an environment of growth and opportunity for all student-athletes. The upcoming seasons promise to be filled with excitement and progress, and the AHSAA is at the forefront of these positive changes.
