ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

STEVE SAVARESE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 334-263-6994 AHSAA Update January, 2011

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Alabama

All-Stars

Win

Again

Inside This Issue

Savarese 2 Comments Alabama’s All-Stars raise the Alabama-Mississippi Clas- Corporate Partner 3 sic Trophy in the air as champions for yet another year after Spotlight beating the Mississippi All-Stars 24-17 in two overtimes at Evans Rule 6 Ladd-Peebles Stadium in December. Alabama now holds a 17-7 Spotlight edge in the series which is an event of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association. The series began in Principal’s 7 1988 with a 24-21 three-overtime win by Alabama. Commentary Briarwood Christian’s Fred Yancey served as coach for McCracken To 10 the Alabama All-Stars. Athens quarterback Stephen Rivers, Lead Mentoring Alabama’s MVP, threw a 36-yard TD pass to Emmanuel John- NFHS Rules Cover 13 son of McKenzie and a two-point conversion to LeFlore’s Taunting Danny Woodson with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie ASD Pair Receive 14 the game. Homewood’s Ameer Abdullah scored the game win- National Honors ning TD with a 10-yard run in the second overtime period. AHSAA Update Page 2

Good Examples Set Pace For Sportsmanship

Bob Kanaby said in 2002: ―The s we begin the year sports world has once again been A shaken by numerous displays of un- 2011, I want to congratulate sportsmanlike behavior and deplor- all the teams that have won able violent actions against contest state championships already officials and players. The high this school year. We have school scene has not escaped these crowned AHSAA state cham- kinds of incidents.‖ pions in four sports – volley- ball, cross country, football and . I applaud the Strategies Needed sportsmanship displayed by To Combat Poor the teams in the fall sports playoffs. Sportsmanship Next up are our winter sports championships coming I agree with Mr. Gardner and Ms. up in February and March – Steve Savarese Van Erk that as leaders of high wrestling and . I Executive Director school sports programs, we need to challenge coaches and players provide the expectations for sports- in these sports to strive to pro- and off the court sets the ex- manlike behavior so that student- vide exemplary examples of ample that others will follow. athletes, coaches, parents and fans sportsmanship as well. With the influx of new technol- make the right decisions. With that It is more critical than ever ogy, negative actions can now be history in mind, they wrote in the for all of us to remember the caught on camera and quickly November article in High School importance of good sports- find its way onto the internet Today, ―Let’s consider some strate- manship in education-based through regular media outlets as gies to combat the issue of poor athletics. We can never get well as through numerous social sportsmanship in our games.‖ complacent or let our guard media outlets. Alabama has not They list the following ideas that I down. The AHSAA’s mem- been immune to unsportsmanlike embrace wholeheartedly. With their ber schools have made great behavior at some of our athletic permission, I share these ideas with strides in teaching good events. It can happen anywhere at our member schools. sportsmanship through indi- any time. vidual school programs as Robert Gardner, Executive Di-  Everyone involved has a role. well as through AHSAA pro- rector of the NFHS, and Nina Van Coaches should concentrate on grams such as the STAR Erk, current NFHS president, coaching. Officials must stick to Sportsmanship program. The wrote about how sportsmanship making the calls on the field. Players AHSAA Central Board of efforts must always be at the fore- can only play the game between the Control has also addressed front of all we do in the Novem- lines. And parents need to know that this issue by stiffening penal- ber issue of High School Today, their job is to support their kids the ties for unsportsmanlike acts the NFHS magazine voice of edu- best way possible. like coming off the bench to cation-based athletic and fine arts Trends in sportsmanship seem to participate in unsportsmanlike activities for its member schools. indicate a tendency toward parental behavior. The key to any They point out that sportsman- misbehavior. A great tool to assist sportsmanship endeavor starts ship efforts and concerns have with the school’s leadership – Continued on Page 5 — been a major emphasis at the the administration and the See Savarese NFHS for a very long time. For- teacher/coaches. mer NFHS Executive Director How we conduct ourselves ALABAMA AHSAA Update Newsletter Page 3 HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AHSAA Corporate Partner Spotlight

P.O. Box 242367 Montgomery, AL Zip: 36124-2367

Phone: 334-263-6994 Fax: 334-387-0075 E-mail: [email protected] At the heart of sports history for almost a century, no other company has been as influential and intimately involved in shaping the games of , , and American football as Wilson. As the originator of breakthrough technologies, Wilson has produced legendary classics and earned world-wide legitimacy in each sport it participates in. Backed by generations of athletes, Wilson is the true American icon in the world of . You can’t buy authenticity anymore than you can buy membership in a hall of fame. Wilson is the world's leading manufacturer of ball sports equipment. Our core sports are baseball, American football, golf, basketball, , tennis, badminton and squash. The Wilson business is structured into three business areas: Team Sports, Racquet Sports and Golf, headquartered in Chicago, IL. Wilson employs over 1,600 people globally. Our dedicated sales network serves customers in over 100 countries. Since 1914, Co. has been tirelessly creating the world’s best equipment and standing behind it. Performance is a given. So too is the fact that each new product has been thoroughly tested in real game conditions. Dedication to performance is how we maintain the trust of players, coaches and affiliations, professional and amateur. Wilson Sporting Goods takes great pride being a sponsor of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. We have the incredible opportunity to work with such a great, well respected group such as the AHSAA. We forward to furthering our relationship with AHSAA. Being a sporting goods company, we like to think as athletes. True athletes have the backs of their teammates. Team play is the only way to achieve greatness in a team sports environment. It is an honor to call the AHSAA a team mate of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. We’ve built a sporting goods legacy. Now it’s time to build another. We want to help leave a healthy planet for future generations. It takes teamwork and hard work, two beliefs on which we built our entire company. Therefore, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is committed to reducing packaging, using recycled and sustainable materials and saving resources throughout the entire process of equipping today’s athletes for success. In conclusion, we all start with our first. Our first glove, our first racket, our first ball or club. Sometimes we choose it or it chooses us. But whatever the choice, we choose to play.

More Wilson. More Win. AHSAA Update Page 4 AHSAA Central Board of Control

Bobby Parrish Ed Lathan Lamar Brooks Dyneshia Jones Luke Hallmark Mobile President Dale Co. BOE Troy Vice President Mobile Marengo Co. BOE

Mose Jones Leonard Riley Terry Cooper Curtis Coleman Mike Welsh Thomaston Chambers Co. BOE Birmingham Birmingham Spring Garden

Don Cox Clyde Goode Larry Morris Janet Latham Craig Pouncey Russellville BOE Lawrence Co. BOE Scottsboro BOE Athens State Dept. of Ed. Montgomery AHSAA Update Page 5

Savarese commentary —

CONTINUED FROM this might mean presenting an open, records and coaching certification PAGE 2 preseason information session in documentation in good order and parents is a new, free online which coaches and fans can learn available in the principal’s office. educational course offered by the rules. Mr. Evans is addressing the specif- the NFHS. This course – The ics in his commentary located on Role of the Parent in Sports -- page 6 of this month’s AHSAA teaches strategies for dealing Update. with coaches and athletic direc- Remember that all coaches must tors, for avoiding yelling at complete the STAR component players or officials, and for in- Athletic directors and NFHS Concussion Course on terpreting sports as a fun way should be clear about line before coaching their sport. I for young people to learn life commend our member schools for lessons. (The AHSAA also of- expectations at the their concerted efforts in these en- fers a special parental compo- stadium or inside the deavors. As of December, approxi- nent free of charge through its gymnasium. mately 110,000 coaches and ad- STAR Sportsmanship on-line ministrators nationally had com- program.) pleted the Concussion Course of-  Players must tolerate and fered by the NFHS. Alabama was respect their opponents. Even if among the leaders with more than the other team chooses to en- 11,000. Outstanding! gage in mudslinging or verbal warfare, those actions do not Member Schools Are need to be reciprocated. Suc- Mr. Gardner and Ms. Van Erk ceeding with dignity produces a eloquently summarize, ―Naturally, Required to Sanction far more rewarding feeling. human nature is imperfect, and sportsmanship cannot be mandated. Multi-Team Events  Fans should respect the What we can do is make it the most I also want to emphasize once spirit of competition and know attractive and respected choice pos- again the importance of sanction- that their entry fee is not the sible by continuing to reinforce its ing AHSAA events involving four price of boorish behavior. importance.‖ or more schools. The form can be  Athletic directors should be We at the AHSAA truly thank found on line at the member site of clear about expectations at the them for these excellent suggestions www.ahsaa.com. Schools should stadium or inside the gymna- and hope we all can embrace the not participate in any non- sium. Let the student section, in importance of our own roles in good sanctioned event. A list of events particular, know what lines they sportsmanship as we move into the that have been sanctioned by the ought to cross. new year. AHSAA can be found on the home  Finally, and perhaps most page of our website. Teams com- importantly, all involved should peting in national events should strive for open communication School Audits also make sure those events are and positive personal interac- Resume in January sanctioned with the NFHS. Anyone tion. When people gather closer The AHSAA executive staff, with any questions can call our together, it is easier for them to headed by Associate Executive Di- office at 334-263-6994. move in one direction. For rector Joe Evans, is stepping up coaches, this means meeting and school audit efforts. It is important addressing parents. For officials, that schools have their eligibility AHSAA Update Page 6

AHSAA Rule Spotlight: School Audits Also, a STAR Sportsmanship Conducting school audits is certificate must be kept on file. an important function of the AH- Note: A certified birth certifi- SAA. A member high school can cate is one issued by the State expect to be audited at least once Bureau of Vital Statistics in the in a two-year period. The pur- state where the student was pose of the school audit is make born. In Alabama, these may sure schools are complying with be obtained at each county the eligibility rules set forth by health department.) the AHSAA’s member schools Note: The passport of a for- and that all coaches working with eign exchange student may be the student-athletes are qualified used in lieu of a certified birth and certified. Already this school year our certificate. staff has conducted a large num- ber of audits. It is mandatory for RULE V - Coaches schools to have the information to be checked in the principal’s SECTION 1. COACHING office and readily available even REQUIREMENTS. A coach or if the principal is not available. Joe Evans persons responsible for the im- Many schools have done an Associate Executive mediate training of athletes or outstanding job and we salute Director athletic teams must be employed you. We are finding too many or approved by the Board of others, however, do not have re- to school audits. We check initial Education as a certified teacher cords readily available. Many of student eligibility and coaches’ cer- under the supervision of the those, once checked, find viola- tification. Below are the specifics school principal. tions involving their student- which can be found in the AHSAA Note: “Coach” refers to any athletes and coaches. Some of 2010-11 Handbook. person who is given direct re- those violations could lead to for- sponsibility by the school and/ feits. That is why it is critical for or the Board of Education for schools to keep good business Rule 1 – Eligibility the training or instructing of any practices. It helps avoid embar- athletes or athletic team. A rassing and unnecessary over- SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY school team may not participate sights that could lead to penalties. VERIFICATION REQUIRE- in an interscholastic contest We discuss these audit require- MENTS. Submitting unless the team is accompanied ments at every opportunity – in- eligibility information online at by a certified teacher (faculty cluding at All-Star Sports Week least five days before participation member). in July and at each district meet- is mandatory for all students. The Note: Completion of the online ing. Any principal that has ques- first time a school submits one of STAR Sportsmanship and NFHS tions can also call me or any of its students online, a copy of the Concussion courses is manda- our staff at 334-263-6994. We are student’s certified birth certificate tory for all coaches (faculty and always here to help you in any shall be filed in the principal’s of- non-faculty). way we can. fice and attached to the copy of the

online Eligibility List on which that Below are the rules that pertain student’s name was submitted. Continued on Page 9 — See School Audits AHSAA Update Page 7

Challenges of K-12 Administration Are Rewarding By STAN STOKLEY ful without the use of unacceptable Principal, Sweet Water language in your athletic program. High School No. 3 – Academic Excellence: The typical school in Ala- The third ingredient is academic bama offers a variety of sports excellence. With all of the pressure programs. I am the principal of to have a winning athletic program, Sweet Water High School in a great school can not lose focus of Marengo County. We are a ru- the primary mission. Our main job ral K-12 school with 700 stu- is still to teach reading, writing and dents. I am going to share some arithmetic. of the joys and frustrations of This sounds very basic and administration at a K-12 school sounds like a throwback to the old and the joys and frustrations days, but I think every great school of managing an athletic pro- must do an excellent job teaching gram. the basics. It has been said that the ath- Stan Stokley No. 4 – Embracing Technol- letic program of a school will Sweet Water Principal ogy: The fourth ingredient of reflect what is important to the our success is the implementation community. If this is true, the of technology. Jana Hoggle is the focuses at Sweet Water is to have people of Sweet Water love technology coordinator for Ma- high expectations of our stu- football. Our school has en- rengo County. She has assisted us dents. We expect our students to joyed tremendous success in with technology implementation in conduct themselves with class and football, but I will discuss that our school. All our classrooms are self-discipline in the classroom, on later. equipped with some of the latest the athletic field and away from I believe there are four main 21st Century technology. campus. ingredients that make Sweet We try to build these expectations Water a great school: into every part of our school, and we Working Together The No. 1 – School Pride: start teaching it in kindergarten first ingredient is school culture when our students first arrive on our Is Important or school pride. The students, campus. Another area of importance for parents, faculty, staff, admini- the success of education-based ath- stration and community must letics in any school is for adminis- No. 2 – Discipline: The second work together to ensure that the trators and coaches to work to- ingredient is discipline. We teach education and well-being of stu- gether and be on the same page. I discipline in the classroom and in all dents is important. The teaching have seen some ugly battles be- our extra-curricular activities. We and learning process must be tween administrators and coaches want our students to learn the self- held in high regard by everyone that have hurt schools and their discipline that will prepare them for connected with the school. programs. success beyond high school. We do not have school at All the adults at a school must We also expect our faculty and Sweet Water to play football. never lose sight of the importance coaches to demonstrate self- disci- Our primary mission is to pro- of working together for the success pline in their lives as well. Our vide a quality education for our of the students. coaches do not use profanity, and students, and some of them may our students are not allowed to use choose to play football as stu- profanity. Our program is a great Continued on Page 12 — dent-athletes. One of our main example of how you can be success- Challenges AHSAA Update Page 8

Alabama All-Star Team Celebrates 2010 Classic Victory

Alabama-Mississippi Classic Champions Once Again!! Alabama’s All-Star football team celebrates at Ladd-Peebles Stadium just moments after win- ning a come-from-behind 24-17 victory over Mississippi in the 24th Alabama-Mississippi Clas- sic. Alabama’s All-Stars have now won three in a row five of the last six All-Star Classics played. (Photo Laura Delegal, CreativeFX)

All-Time Alabama-Mississippi Results All-Time Alabama-Mississippi Results

2010: Alabama 24, Mississippi 17 (2 OT) 1999: Alabama 28, Mississippi 24 2009: Alabama 21, Mississippi 13 1998: Mississippi 9, Alabama 0 2008: Alabama 28, Mississippi 3 1997: Alabama 10, Mississippi 6 2007: Mississippi 26, Alabama 7 (Dec .) 1996: Alabama 17, Mississippi 14 2007: Alabama 51, Mississippi 14 (June) 1995: Mississippi 38, Alabama 9 2006: Alabama 24, Mississippi 3 1994: Mississippi 14, Alabama 10 2005: Mississippi 21, Alabama 18 1993: Mississippi 17, Alabama 6 2004: Alabama 24, Mississippi 22 1992: Mississippi 17, Alabama 14 2003: Alabama 24, Mississippi 16 1991: Alabama 15, Mississippi 13 2002: Alabama 29, Mississippi 17 1990: Alabama 21, Mississippi 14 (OT) 2001: Alabama 33, Mississippi 14 1989: Alabama 24, Alabama 21 (4 OT) 2000: Alabama 16, Mississippi 9 1988: Alabama 24, Mississippi 21 (3 OT) Overall Record Overall Points Scored Alabama 17 wins Alabama 477 (19.9 ppg) Mississippi 7 wins Mississippi 383 (16.0 ppg) AHSAA Update Page 9 EVANS Commentary: School Audits …

Continued from Page 6 faculty coaches and first-time the first year, the coach cannot coaches in the AHSAA are re- continue coaching the second Note: Coaches may coach their quired to take two courses — year.) own children during the school Coaching Principles (NFHS or • Must be CPR certified. Certifica- year and summer (the seven days ASEP) and Sports First Aid tion must be active each year. of competition is allowed) if none (ASEP or PREPARE) — in the • Must have completed the STAR of the coach’s other players are Coaches Education Program, after Sportsmanship and Concussion on the child’s team.) which they are eligible to apply for courses one time. a coaches’ card. The courses are 2. First Time Coaches in the Non-Faculty Coach: Schools may recommended for all other AHSAA use a non-faculty coach in any coaches. Courses may be taken for • Will have two years after being sport when that person is serving Continuing Education Units hired to complete Coaching Prin- directly under the supervision of a (CEUs). ciples and Sport First Aid courses. coach (faculty member) employed All coaches must have an active Coaches will be exempt if these by the Board of Education and is CPR Certification each year. courses were taken during under- also employed by the school and/ Note: Each member school must graduate or graduate programs or the Board of Education. keep on file in the principal’s of- and approved by the AHSAA of- Note: A non-faculty coach is a fice a verification for each coach fice. person with any coaching respon- that has been certified from 2001- • Must be CPR certified. Certifica- sibility at a member school, is cer- 02 to the present (course require- tion must be active each year. tified or working toward certifica- ments) and a verification of all Note: A school using a non- tion under the Coaches’ Education coaches’ CPR certification plus certified coach that is not involved Program course requirements, is STAR and Concussion courses. in the Coaches Education Program CPR certified and has completed Coaches at member schools prior as described above will be fined the STAR Sportsmanship and to 2001-02 are exempt from the $300 and the coach will be sus- NFHS Concussion courses. Coaching Principles and Sports pended. Non-faculty coaches may be dis- First Aid course requirements. A • Must have completed the STAR qualified and discontinued by the coach’s certification will be Sportsmanship and Concussion Executive Director or Central checked at all championship courses one time. Board at any time it appears that events. 3. All Other Coaches their instruction is not in the best • Are recommended to take the interests of the statewide athletic Coaching Principles and Sports program. Coaches Certification First Aid courses for professional A school that uses a non-faculty Requirements development or personal develop- coach that is not employed or ap- Program requirements for each of ment. proved by the school and/or the three categories are as follows: • Must be CPR certified. Board of Education is subject to 1. Non-Faculty Coaches • Must have completed the STAR penalty from the AHSAA. • Must complete Coaching Princi- Sportsmanship and Concussion A non-faculty coach must be ac- ples and Sport First Aid courses. courses one time. companied at all contests by a fac- One course must be completed by ulty member or full-time employee the end of the first year and both of the school. courses completed by the end of SECTION 2: COACHES EDU- the second year. (If one of the CATION PROGRAM: Non- courses is not completed during AHSAA Update Page 10 IMPORTANT DATES FEBRUARY Spence McCracken To Head 7, 10, 12 Girls Area Basket- ball Tournaments Coaches Mentoring Program 8, 11, 14 Boys Area Basket- Coach Spence McCracken has character ball Tournaments and trying to accepted the important task of im- 11-12 Section Wrestling improve our plementing the AHSAA Mentor- Tournaments lives each ing Program – a program adminis- day. We 17-19 State Wrestling tered by the Alabama High School Tournament must give an Athletic Directors & Coaches As- (Huntsville) all out effort sociation designed to assist 17 Girls Sub-Regional in every- teacher/coaches to better under- Basketball Games thing we stand their roles in education- do.‖ 18 Boys Sub-Regional based athletics. Basketball Games McCracken We are excited to have Spence said he has 22-26 Regional Basket- working with our coaches in this ball Tournaments Steve Bailey learned the important and much-needed pro- AHSADCA Director important gram. Coach McCracken is a facet of MARCH highly respected, successful coach mentoring, when speaking to 1-5 Final 48 State Bas- and athletic director. We encour- young coaches, is having them ketball Tournament age our schools to take advantage (Birmingham) understand they must put the chil- of his vast years of experience and dren first at all costs. knowledge. 18 Alabama- ―We must find the time to really McCracken, who has dedicated Mississippi All- get to know them and their fami- Star Basketball his entire professional career to lies and help them mature into suc- Games (Pelham) coaching and teaching young peo- cessful men and women in our ple, is available to assist any 21 Alabama High society,‖ he says. ―Head coaches School Sports Hall school or any coach in this impor- of Fame Induction tant training effort. He is available should also do the same with all of their assistant coaches, finding (Montgomery) to come on-site to a local school or the time to mentor them through APRIL come to a seminar or workshop their coaching experiences and to location. 11 Bryant-Jordan help them reach their goals. Student Athlete ―Everyone needs mentoring each ―The same mentoring process Awards Banquet day of his or her life, but sadly this should be used with student- (Birmingham) is not happening,‖ McCracken athletes themselves with coaches says. ―Administrators and coaches selling various character traits and are so busy with the rigors of our using stories (and examples) to get jobs that we sometimes forget about the most important people in across their point.‖ McCracken is available to come our profession – the children. Of- to any AHSAA member school to Jan. 7: Baseball ten young coaches jump into work with an individual coach, the Jan. 13: Soccer coaching without being taught entire athletic department or entire Jan. 20: Softball about their obligations to their school system. These sessions can Feb. 8: Volleyball families and to the kids they be a part of the regular school day coach. Mentoring is sharing with Feb. 9: Football activities or during an in-service Feb. 10: Golf the groups about doing the right thing in life and ―hitting a lick‖ meeting. about what’s wrong with our Continued on Page 12 — See McCracken AHSAA Update Page 11

Winter Sports Tournaments Just Around Corner Area tournaments for must submit weigh-in We closed the book girls are scheduled for charts, signed by a on our fall sports champi- Feb. 7, 10 and 12 and for match official, for all onships in December. boys, Feb. 8, 11 and 14. wrestlers participating Now, we look forward to The sub-regional round in the section tourna- the upcoming basketball for girls will be Feb. 17 ment prior to the seed- and wrestling state play- and for boys, Feb. 18. ing meeting. Copies of offs. The post-season will Regional tournaments score sheets may be be upon us before we are scheduled for Feb. 22- used for dual meets and know it. 26 and the Final 48 state weigh-in charts can be We want to remind bas- tournament at the Bir- used for tournaments. ketball coaches to make mingham-Jefferson Civic After submitting a sec- sure their tournament ros- Complex is scheduled for tion entry, a substitu- ters are posted on line at Wanda Gilliland March 1-5. tion may be made only Assistant Director www.ahsaa.com by Feb. at the position where 3 and should be provided supervise the seeding and WRESTLING the injury or sickness to area tournament coor- drawing and make sure SECTIONS occurs. dinators by that date. All the host school gymna- Section wrestling tourna- It is important to re- roster fields need to be sium meets gym criteria. ments will be held Feb. member that good completed including They should also email a 11-12 at designated host sportsmanship should player name, uniform copy of the area tourna- sites in each classifica- be uppermost in impor- number, player year in ment brackets to all par- tion. The AHSAA state tance for all schools, school, player position ticipating schools and championships will be coaches, participants and player height. These email all team rosters to held at the Von Braun and fans at all AHSAA rosters will be published the State Office and to the Center in Huntsville Feb. events. Good luck to in region and state tourna- school hosting the area 17-19. each of you. ment programs so make tournament. Brackets for each section sure they are done cor- Area tournament direc- tournament will be drawn NAIA Changes rectly and by the dead- tors are also reminded to by participating coaches To Aid Students line. post scores of all games at a seeding meeting prior The National Associa- Each school is required immediately following to the tournament. Each tion of Interscholastic to be in attendance at the conclusion each night on school entering must have Athletics (NAIA) has area pre-tournament AHSAA Area Tourna- a representative at the created an Eligibility drawing meeting. The ment reporting form on drawing. Seeding criteria Center. This is now meeting date should be line at www.ahsaa.com. will be: another requirement of set by the area coordina- Seeding will be based on Head to Head your student-athletes to tor and held prior to the the won-loss percentage Common Opponent register and get cleared area tournament bracket against area teams that State Champ at cur- for participation in col- deadline. qualify for its area tourna- rent weight lege athletics. Area coordinators ment. If a team plays a Overall Record It is important, how- should fill out the Form qualifying area team more State Champ at dif- ever, that student- 43A on line and email the than twice prior to the ferent weight athletes register with complete tournament seeding meeting, only the Common Sense both the NCAA and brackets (including site, first two regular-season Schools are required to NAIA. College athletic game times and dates) to games will count for post team rosters prior to scholarships are avail- the State Office by 10 seeding purposes. Tour- the first contest of the able for student-athletes a.m., Feb. 3. nament games do not season. For the section in both organizations. Area coordinators are to count toward seeding. tournament, each coach AHSAA Update Page 12

Stokley: Challenges of K-12 Administration

CONTINUED FROM This is a blessing and a curse. The on our campus. When I get to blessing is the fun and enjoyment feeling down, I go and visit the PAGE 7 experienced by the students and multi-handicap class to remind the community. The curse is the me how blessed I am that I can It is always necessary to ask if high expectations your community walk and feed myself. what we are doing is a benefit for places on your team and coaches When I leave the handicap the students. each year. classroom, I take a left and walk Our school has been blessed with We won the football state champi- into our K-1 building where I am much success in the athletic pro- onship in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 the most popular man on cam- gram. Sometimes success is meas- and again in 2010. This was a pus. As soon as I make contact ured in how many state - wonderful accomplishment for our with kindergarten and first-grade ships your program has won. students, coaches and our commu- students, I start getting hellos, Even though Sweet Water has nity. However, when we went 11- smiles and lots of sweet won five state football champion- 2 and lost in the third round of the hugs. Those kindergarten stu- ships in the last seven years, I do state playoffs in 2009, it felt like dents and muti-handicap students not think this is the best measure we had had a losing season. Suc- really love me and I love them. of success. A state championship cess is a wonderful thing and it has After I get my ―love tank‖ is a tremendous accomplishment many enjoyable rewards. Success filled, I head on back up to the for a school and a team. However, also places a lot of pressure on high school building to see who is when a coach and a group of stu- your coaches and your student- sitting on the bench outside my dent-athletes compete at their athletes. It is not fair to expect a office and get back to work. highest level and they learn and team to win the state champion- I have been blessed by the stu- enjoy the game together, that is ship every year. dents, faculty and staff while success. Lastly, I want to share the best working in public education in Our school has won a total of part of being the principal at a K- the state of Alabama for many 18 state championships in three 12 school. years. sports. We have a multi-handicap class I hope you have a blessed 2011!

McCracken: Continued From Page 10  Role of the coach with the student-athletes’ par- He also can be available for mentoring training ents. through individual appointments with a principal, ath-  Ten keys to be a successful coach and mentor to letic director or head coach. children. In the coming months we will share some of the Men-  What today’s student-athletes need to learn from toring Program concepts through the AHSAA Update. their mentors.  How mentors use their time to be successful in Mentoring topics include: changing the lives of our children.  Mentoring training for young coaches.  Developing character education throughout  Ideas for improving a school’s total athletic pro- school and community with the help of the men- gram. tor.  Roles of a great mentor. McCracken can be contacted by email at spencem-  Role of the coach with the school’s faculty and [email protected] or [email protected] or by administration. calling 334-787-0698. His mailing address is 207 Heritage Drive, Opelika, AL 36804. AHSAA Update Page 13 Sportsmanship Is Important In Pre-Game Warm-Ups

are not allowed outside the dugout in softball In recent weeks there has whether the ball is dead or live based on rule 3-6-6. been a question about team However, Rule 3-6-13 should never be necessary actions that could be consid- in this situation because rule 3-6-6 handles them not ered unsportsmanlike or being outside of the dugout. She points out that rule taunting behaviors. Last 3-6-6 applies during a live and dead ball. There’s no month we addressed the reason for those players to be out of the dugout, es- illegal practice of teams util- pecially to perform such unsporting antics. At a izing the center circle for minimum, it should be a warning to the head coach, some of their pre-game ac- she points out. tivities including entering So coaches and officials take note. We have to the court and running the make the assumption this is an unsporting act and end line around the oppos- Greg Brewer the dugout rule also applies to a dead ball period. ing team or celebrating in AHSAA the center circle prior to the Director of Officials AHSAA Mourns Death Of Veteran game. Football Official Denney Owen This behavior by rule should result in a bench tech- It is with much sadness we report the death of nical foul assessed indirectly to the head coach. Rule 10-4-1 is the most appropriate reference for this kind Mr. Denney Owen, a charter member of the of conduct. When a bench technical is assessed for Shelby Football Officials Association and a this conduct, the result will also include loss of the long-time contributor to high school officiating coaching box for the remainder of the game. in Alabama. This month, we address another potentially un- Mr. Owen, who died of an apparent heart at- sportsmanlike situation involving softball, which was tack at his business in Alabaster in December, discussed at the AHSAA’s December district direc- was buried at Dadeville City Cemetery after a tors’ meeting. memorial service at First Baptist Church, Dade- The example below, which was presented by Keith ville. He is survived by his wife Sherry. Thrasher, the AHSAA Northeast District softball di- Mr. Owen served in several leadership capaci- rector, is as follows. ties while a member of the AHSAA officiating

A player from Team A hits a home run. During family. He was a camp instructor and worked in the process of the batter-runner completing the trip the AHSAA’s first Super 6 state championship around the bases, her teammates leave the dugout in 1996 at Legion Field. He was a member of (dead ball area) and kneel down beside the third Shelby Football Officials Association, Birming- base line. As the batter-runner passes them, on her ham Football Officials Association and the Big way to the plate, the players then flop down face first East Football Officials Association. and wildly move their arms and hands. ―Denny Owen was the catalyst, in my opin- ion, to the start of SFOA,‖ fellow official Cecil This could be deemed an unsporting act or taunting, Copeland said. ―His dedication to his craft was even though the players are not directing their actions very obvious in the way he presented himself at toward the opposition. each game site. As a young official I often I checked with Mary Struckhoff of the NFHS and she confirmed this type of action is clearly illegal on looked to him for advice in finding what I the basis of two NFHS rules. wanted to be as an official. His mark on SFOA If such action crosses the line and becomes a form will remain well beyond the days of this asso- of taunting, it is illegal under rule 3-6-13. If it does ciation.‖ not cross the line it is still illegal because the players AHSAA Update Page 14 AHSAA Update Notebook …

ASWA Announces Player, (Lineman) Shaquille Roberson, after winning the Don Hackney Reeltown, Sr., LB; (Coach) Classic tournament with three im- Coach of Year Selections Stephen Hooks, Westminster Chr. pressive wins over Georgia School The Alabama Sports Writers As- CLASS 1A: (Back) Kendarius for the Deaf (65-6), Atlanta Area sociation recently released its 2010 Fritts, Linden, Sr., RB; (Lineman) School for the Deaf (9-28) and Alabama High School Football All Ryan Chamblee, Collinsville, Sr., Mississippi School for the Deaf -State Team including its Super 12 LB; (Coach) Nicholas Vinson, (86-16). Team and the ASWA Back, Line- Courtland-R.A. Hubbard. Coach Patrick Robinson’s team man and Coach of the Year in each This year’s winner will be the returns to the court Jan. 6 to face of the six classifications of the 29th Mr. Football selected by the Class 1A, Area 7 foe Fayetteville. AHSAA. ASWA. The first one, Tommy From that group of honorees the State Mourns Death Compton of Vigor, was chosen in ASWA will select Mr. Football, 1983. Last year’s winner was Of Dothan Al Roberts the organization’s choice for Ala- Al Roberts, one of the state’s Cherokee County quarterback bama prep player of the year. The most respected sportscasters, died Coty Blanchard, now a freshman Mr. Football announcement will last week at Southeast Alabama at Jacksonville State University. come at the annual ASWA Mr. Medical Center in Dothan follow- Football Award/Player of the Year ASD Coach, Player Reap ing an apparent heart attack. luncheon on Jan. 12 which will be National Prep Awards Roberts, 69, was a Wiregrass hosted by The Birmingham News Alabama School for the Deaf head broadcast legend, moving from at the Alabama Sports Hall of football coach Paul Kulick was Columbus, Ohio, to north Florida Fame. named the National Coach of the to start his broadcast career in The ASWA’s Back, Lineman and Year by Deaf Sports Digest, a na- 1968. He joined Dothan television Coach of the Year selections for tional publication dedicated to na- station WTVY (Channel 4) in each classification include: tional deaf school news and sports. 1972. He became the station's CLASS 6A: (Back) Jamal Golden, This year’s team was 7-2. Four sports director in 1973 and pro- Wetumpka, Sr., QB; (Lineman) players were named to the publica- vided outstanding coverage to high Vinnie Sunseri, Northridge, Sr., tion’s Deaf School All-America school sports teams for the next LB; (Coach) Glenn Vickery, Team including Player of the Year three decades. Daphne. Demetric Snider. The junior full- CLASS 5A: (Back) Brent back/linebacker was also named to ATTENTION COACHES Calloway, Russellville, Sr., RB; the NDIAA’s first team. Snider (Lineman) Reese Dismukes, rushed for 746 yards and 12 touch- AND PRINCIPALS! Spanish Fort, OL; (Coach) Bob downs on 111 carries. He also had Godsey, Hartselle. 12 catches for 122 yards. Defen- Don't forget to submit your CLASS 4A: (Back) Kyle Cald- sively, Snider recorded 45 solo nominations for the Bryant- well, Dadeville, Sr., QB; tackles and 36 assists. He has five Jordan Student-Athlete Scholar- (Lineman) Diaheem Watkins, sacks, 11 forced fumbles and four ship. Nomination forms for your Bibb County, Sr., DL; (Coach) fumble recoveries. Also named to Scholar-Athlete and Achieve- Mike Battles, Centreville-Bibb both teams were Joshua Eatmon, ment Student-Athlete are due County. Tyler Perry and Lorenzo Burrow. to your Area Chairperson CLASS 3A: (Back) Jonathan ASD captured the national deaf by Tuesday, January 18. This Rose, Leeds, Sr., DB; (Lineman) school football championship in is a fantastic way to recognize David Reeves, Greensboro, Sr. 1971, 1987, 2000, 2001 and 2002. those deserving seniors who TE; (Coach) Rodney Stidham, The Silent Warriors boys basket- have been determined to make Hamilton. ball team is also off to a fast start. it to the next level. Any ques- CLASS 2A: (Back) Sammie Coach Patrick Robinson’s team tions? Call 205-397-7775. Coates, Leroy, WR., QB; was 13-0 at the Christmas break AHSAA Update Page 15

Member schools can view all fines and ejections on line at www.ahsaa.com on the member site.