Tv Deal a Tremendous Boost for Our Schools

AHSAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE

TV DEAL A TREMENDOUS AHSAA Radio Network broadcast the BOOST FOR OUR SCHOOLS game live across the state. Happy New Year to each of you The Super 6 Football and I hope 2009 is a wonderful year for Championships and the State Swimming you. I see 2009 as a great year of and Diving Championships were also opportunity for the AHSAA, its member very successful. We thank all involved. schools and the children we all serve. I am also excited to announce our We closed out 2008 with a bang new television partnership with CBS 42 as our All-Star Football Team, directed (WIAT TV) of Birmingham. The new by head coach John Grass of Oxford, five-year deal will help us make our won the Alabama-Mississippi Classic at championships available state wide. I Mobile in style, 28-3. It was an thank the Alabama Sports Foundation impressive display of effort, teamwork, for its hard work in making this possible, coaching and pride and we thank all the and we thank CBS 42 President and coaches and players for their dedication. General Manager Bill Ballard. This is I also want to thank Steve Bailey, going to be a superb partnership for the Director of the Alabama High School AHSAA and will allow us to move into Athletic Directors & Coaches the future on solid ground. Association, for a job well done. We The AHSAA will hit the ground thank the game committee, Ladd- running in 2009 with state playoffs in Peebles Stadium’s crew under the wrestling and basketball on the horizon direction of stadium manager Paul as well as spring sports teams gearing up Christopher and the city of Mobile for its for the spring season with practice hospitality. For the first time, our starting in the weeks ahead. The state wrestling tournament is into the future on firm ground,” said set for Huntsville’s Von Braun Center AHSAA Executive Director Steve Feb. 5-6-7. We thank the City of Savarese. “This long-term commitment Huntsville for hosting this event in such by the AHSAA and its Central Board of a professional manner. We especially Control will not only produce a quality thank Mayor Tommy Battle and the television package for our football and Huntsville Sports Commission, directed basketball championships, but also by Ralph Stone. expand our television presence for future We are also looking forward to championship events.” the basketball state tournament as well The agreement begins as area, sub-regional and regional play. immediately with the broadcasting of the The State Finals will once again be at the Basketball State Finals in late February. Birmingham-Jefferson Convention CBS 42 is also working with AHSAA to Complex (Feb. 24-28). We thank the secure broadcasting rights for the City of Birmingham for making this championship series in both football and such an enjoyable experience, and we basketball for every television market in thank our regional tournament hosts– Alabama. Troy University, Alabama State University, Jacksonville State University and Wallace-Hanceville Community LEROY QUARTERBACK College–for all they do to make our NAMED MR. FOOTBALL basketball playoffs such a success each Leroy High School senior year. quarterback Clint Moseley was chosen

by the Alabama Sports Writers CBS 42, AHSAA SIGN Association as 2008 Mr. Football. 5-YEAR TV AGREEMENT Moseley, who was also named by The Alabama High School the ASWA as Class 2A Back of the Athletic Association has entered into an Year, recently was named MVP of the agreement with WIAT–TV of Class 2A state championship game after Birmingham giving CBS 42 leading Leroy to a 41-8 victory over broadcasting rights for AHSAA Sulligent. Moseley directed Coach championship events for the next five Danny Powell’s Bears to a 15-0 record years. this season and three straight state 2A The agreement, developed for the titles. The Bears finished with season AHSAA by The Alabama Sports with a 25-game winning streak, longest Foundation (ASF), encompasses active streak in the AHSAA. statewide television for the AHSAA’s The selection of Moseley by the Super Six Football Championship Series ASWA All-State Committee was and Basketball State Finals announced at a dinner hosted by The Championship Series with other Birmingham News Dec. 18. Ross Wood possibilities to be determined. of the Clarke County Democrat is the “I am very excited. This chairman of the ASWA group. partnership with CBS 42 will no doubt The banquet was attended by solidify the television broadcast Back and Linemen of the Year winners coverage for our AHSAA member in all six AHSAA classifications as well schools and will help move the AHSAA as each honoree’s family and coach. AHSAA Executive Director 1A: Royal Carpenter, Speake Steve Savarese addressed the attendees as well as former Auburn quarterback BRYANT-JORDAN DEVELOPING Brandon Cox, the ASWA’s Mr. Football LONG-RANGE FUNDING PLAN winner in 2001. The Bryant-Jordan Scholarship The complete list of Mr. Football Program is currently working on winners include: developing a new and exciting long- range fund-raising program, according to Mr. Football Winners Bryant-Jordan Director Dr. Ken Blankenship. 1982 Tommy Compton, Vigor Former State Superintendent of 1983 Freddie Weygand, Emma Sansom Education Dr. Ed Richardson is 1984 Roderick Green, Gardendale 1985 Pierre Goode, Hazlewood spearheading the effort to develop 1986 Larry Ware, Lee-Montgomery strategies which will help the Bryant- 1987 Robert Jones, Parker Jordan Foundation continue to serve the 1988 Darrell Williams, Vigor children of the state for many years to 1989 Steven Coleman, Pike Co. 1990 David Palmer, Jackson-Olin come. 1991 Robert Davis, Homewood “I think this will be a significant 1992 Freddie Kitchens, Etowah step in moving our fund-raising into the 1993 Thomas Banks, West Jefferson 1994 Dawud Rasheed, Shades Valley future,” said Dr. Blankenship. 1995 Gorman Thornton, Jeff Davis The Bryant-Jordan Foundation is 1996 Antoneyo Williams, Central-Tuscaloosa currently conducting discussions with 1997 Mac Campbell, Alexandria the state’s junior colleges in regard to 1998 DeMarco McNeil, Blount 1999 Cory Whisenant, Springville adding more scholarship opportunities 2000 Carnell Williams, Etowah through the annual Bryant-Jordan 2001 Brandon Cox, Hewitt-Trussville program. The program pays out annually 2002 JaMarcus Russell, Williamson more than $600,000 in scholarship 2003 Chris Nickson, Pike Co. 2004 Jarod Bryant, Hoover money to 96 senior student-athletes from 2005 Andre Smith, Huffman AHSAA-member schools. 2006 Larry Smith, Prattville 2007 Julio Jones, Foley 2008 Clint Moseley, Leroy MINI CLINICS SET FOR 4 SPORTS THIS MONTH ASWA PICKS FOOTBALL The AHSADCA’s new sports COACHES OF THE YEAR specific mini-clinic series will continue The Alabama Sports Writers this month with three sports clinics set Association announced its 2008 AHSAA this week, Jan. 6-7-8. Baseball coaches Football Coaches of the Year. The came in on Jan. 6, with softball coaches coaches were announced along with the set Wednesday, Jan. 7, and football 2008 All-State Football Team selections. coaches Thursday, Jan. 8. A soccer The coaches selected, by clinic will be held Jan. 13. All clinics are classification, include: one-day events and are being held at the 6A: Kevin Wieseman, Huntsville AHSAA Office at 7325 Halcyon 5A: Ryan Herring, Shelby County Summit Drive in Montgomery. The 4A: Tripp Curry, Cherokee County clinics are open to all middle school and 3A: Richard White, Dadeville high school coaches. 2A: Dwight Bowling, Sulligent Each clinic will conduct a rules SCHEDULES, ROSTERS clinic beginning at 8 a.m., followed by MUST BE ENTERED ONLINE the clinic speakers at 9. To attend the Many of the AHSAA’s boys and rules clinic and take the test, a coach girls basketball coaches have not must be registered for the sports clinic, submitted their full schedules and up-to- said AHSADCA Director Steve Bailey. date rosters on-line to the AHSAA Clinics for basketball, tennis, member site. That means some game wrestling and track have already been scores have gone unreported. held. It is mandatory that all varsity Guest clinicians for baseball head coaches make sure their complete were Troy University head coach Bobby schedules are on line and scores of each Pierce and Auburn-Montgomery head game are posted on-line ASAP. Anyone coach Q.V. Lowe. Softball clinicians are is having difficulty should contact the University of South Alabama head coach AHSAA office immediately to get the Becky Clark and Faulkner University problem resolved. head coach Hal Wynn. Clinicians for the Spring sports varsity team football mini-clinic are South Alabama schedules are due online by Jan. 15. head football coach Joey Jones and his The software program’s writers defensive coordinator, Bill Clark. are currently working on the schedule Jan. 6: Baseball component so it will allow out-of-state Jan. 7: Softball teams to be added. Once this problem Jan. 8: Football has been solved, schools will be notified Jan. 13: Soccer so out-of-state games and results can be Feb. 10: Volleyball entered. Feb. 12: Golf

SAVARESE ATTENDS AHSAA ASKING PRINCIPALS NFHS WINTER MEETING ABOUT RECLASSIFICATION AHSAA Executive Director The AHSAA has posted a survey Steve Savarese attended the National online seeking member-school input Federation of State High School concerning reclassification. Associations winter meeting at Fort Each principal is asked to go to Lauderdale, Fl.. Jan. 2 through Jan. 5. the member site and answer the short The NFHS Winter Meeting was survey which deals with number of geared exclusively for state association classes, playoff sites and format as well executive directors and provided an as important issues they fill should help outstanding professional development determine reclassification. program. The first-class conference The link for the survey is: features professional speakers, as well as http://www.ahsaa.com/RECLASSIFICA the opportunity for executive directors to TIONSURVEY/tabid/2301/Default.aspx share their experience and expertise on a The survey was emailed to each variety of subjects. principal Monday, Jan. 5. As of Jan. 6, a The Winter Meeting will be held total of 100 schools had already June 27-July 2 at Chicago, IL. responded. Deadline for the online survey’s completion is Jan. 21. Alabama-Mississippi Awards Dinner at DEADLINES SET FOR Mobile, Dec. 12. BASKETBALL ROSTERS Each school in the championship IMPORTANT DATES program MUST submit online a Deadline for submitting basketball tournament rosters on line: Jan. 16. Basketball Tournament Roster to the Deadline for area tournament brackets: Jan. State Office before Jan. 16 and also to 26, 10 a.m. the area tournament director at the area State Wrestling Tourney: Feb. 5-6-7, seeding-drawing meeting. Huntsville. Area tournament brackets are due State Basketball Tourney: Feb. 24-28, into the AHSAA office by Jan. 26, 10 Birmingham. Bryant-Jordan nominations due to area a.m. chairpersons: Jan. 20. Basketball Playoffs Bryant-Jordan area committees make Feb. 2, 5, 7--Girls Area tournaments selections: Jan. 26. Feb. 3, 6, 9--Boys Area tournaments Feb. 12-13--Sub-Regional playoffs Bryant-Jordan Region Committees make Feb. 17-21—Regional tournaments selections: Feb. 3. Feb. 24-28--State Finals Bryant-Jordan Banquet: April 13, Wrestling Playoffs Birmingham. Jan. 31—Section meets Principal/AD Conference: April 16-17, Feb. 5-7--State Tournament Montgomery.

BOB JONES FINISHES SPRING SPORTS 2ND IN T-MOBILE CLASSIC DATES FOR FIRST GAMES Bob Jones High School downed Tennis: Feb. 9 (varsity); Feb. 16 (Junior Gentry (Ms.) 47-18 and then lost to High/Middle Schools) South Bend-Washington (In.), 46-38, in Soccer: Feb. 9 (all). Outdoor Track: Feb. 13 (all). the finals of the T-Mobile Invitational Softball: Feb. 16 (all). Basketball tournament held at Ball State Baseball: Feb. 16 (all). University in Muncie, In. Golf: Feb. 23 (all). Lawrence North (In.) won the boys division of the NFHS-endorsed AHSAA Softball Rules tournament, 58-44, over South Atlanta Clinics begin this month (Ga.). AHSAA-sponsored rules clinics for softball coaches begin this month. WASHBURN INDUCTED Every head coach must attend one of INTO AL-MISS HALL OF these state sponsored rules clinics. FAME Each coach should make plans to Former AHSAA Executive attend a clinic before the season begins Director Dan Washburn and current unless they attended the rules clinic Mississippi High School Activities during All-Star Week last summer at Association Executive Director Dr. Huntsville. Ennis Proctor were inducted into the All clinics will begin at 7 p.m. (CST) Alabama-Mississippi Classic Hall of unless otherwise noted. Fame. The first clinic was held Jan. 4 at The two were introduced to Muscle Shoals. Those remaining players, coaches and parents at the include: Jan. 7: Jacksonville, Jacksonville Community Center, 6: 30 p.m. Jan. 7: Northport, Tuscaloosa County High School Media Center, 6:00 p.m. Jan. 7: Huntsville, Alabama A&M, Elmore Gym, 6:00 p.m. Jan. 7: Bay Minette, Faulkner State Comm. College, Room C-100, 7:00 p.m. Jan. 7: Montgomery, AHSAA Office, Softball Coaches Mini-Clinic, 8:00 a.m. Jan. 10: Dothan, Westgate Park, 2:00 p.m. Jan. 14: Jasper, Memorial Park Building. Jan. 17: Eastern Hills Baptist Church, 9:00 a.m.