The AHSAA CBOC announced $2.2 million will be distributed to AHSAA member schools through the Steve Savarese Grant Program on Wednesday. The total payout for the Savarese Grants Program has now exceeded $30 million since its inception in 2009-2010.
The Central Board also voted for the 35th consecutive year to waive the membership dues for all schools. That is a combined savings of close to $90,000 annually for the schools and over $3 million total savings since 1991.
“The AHSAA is proud to be known as one of the few state high school athletic associations in the NFHS to waive membership dues currently,” said AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon. “The Central Board’s actions reflect the AHSAA’s continued commitment to serving and supporting our member schools. Through the Steve Savarese Grant Program and the continued waiver of membership dues, we are proud to return meaningful resources directly to the schools, students, and communities we serve.”
The Central Board also reviewed and approved 2026-2027 publications, including the AHSAA Handbook and AHSAA Sports Book. The AHSAA’s Legislative Council also met Wednesday afternoon at the AHSAA’s Dan Washburn Auditorium and approved the AHSAA publications and heard a review of the Central Board’s action.
New Central Board member Bart Sessions of Alma Bryant High School in District I was officially sworn in to his position on the 15-member Central Board of Control.
The CBOC also passed the following sports committee proposals which will begin in 2026-2027 season:
Baseball
Mandated that three area games count toward team area standings
Soccer
Changed the language on non-finable ejections to a disqualification, not an ejection
Track and Field
For the Indoor Track and Field State Meet – move to a two-day event for classes 4A, 5A, 6A, Single A and Double AA, while Class 1A-3A will keep its meet a one-day event
Will disallow marks in JV meets to qualify for the Indoor Track and Field State Meet
The referee must be a stand-alone position at the section meet
Tennis
Approved the use of predetermined brackets for postseason matches
Basketball
Any member school that does not have a properly mounted shot clock cannot host a cannot host a varsity contest
In other Central Board Action:
Heard a presentation from I Dream Big and Ivy Classical charter schools concerning joining the Association as associate members
Heard a presentation from President Matt Massey of Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering concerning eligibility requirements
Heard presentations from Mary G. Montgomery High School and Pell City High School but no action was taken
Heard an appeal from Vestavia Hills High School and affirmed the executive director’s earlier ruling
Heard an appeal from Oak Mountain High School and affirmed the executive director’s earlier ruling
Heard an appeal from Selma High School and affirmed the executive director’s earlier ruling
Approved a report from CFO Reagan Lowe and approved the following:
2026 Basketball Financial Report
2026 Tennis Financial Report
2026 Track & Field Financial Report
2026 Heptathlon and Decathlon Financial Report
2026 Soccer Financial Report
2026 Softball Financial Report
2026 Baseball Financial Report
2026 Golf Financial Report
AHSAA Financial Statement, 2026-2027 AHSAA Budget, AHSADCA Budget and AHSAA Financial Statement
Approved 2026-2027 ticket prices
Approved AHSAA Flag Football Officials playoff fee
Approved a request concerning a documentary to be filmed for an ESPN/SEC Network production set to be released in 2028
Approved all AHSAA Insurance Coverages
Approved the dates for Central Board Meetings in 2026-27: October 8, 2026; January 20, 2027; April 14, 2027; July 28, 2027