The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) announced on Friday that it was restructuring postseason athletics by splitting public and private school postseason competition.
The change was approved by a 13-2 vote by AHSAA central board members at a meeting on Friday morning. Public and private schools would still be able to compete against each other in regular-season play.
The change for championship play for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years includes a basic plan that creates six classifications for public school members and two classifications for its private school members. The seven-class system, which was added in 2014-15, will no longer be in effect.
“After careful review and after listening to our public and private school members, the central board determined that now is the appropriate time to restructure championship play. This will result in restructured championships for public and private schools. This model will be implemented for the next two years,” Heath Harmon, AHSAA executive director, said at a press conference on Friday.
“The central board has approved a championship model that applies only to postseason play," he added. "Its purpose is to expand opportunity and strengthen the overall championship experience for student athletes across Alabama. All championships will be played together both public and private at our championship venues. The Alabama High School Athletic Association remains one unified association serving all member schools. Public and private schools will continue to compete against one another throughout the regular season. Through multiple meetings with our private school members, they expressed a desire for greater financial flexibility. This model directly addresses concerns while maintaining fair play for all. Because postseason competition will follow restructured pathways, we’re now able to work on removing financial barriers for private schools. Private school members also voiced their desire to remove the 1.3 multiplier and competitive balance adjustments. Private schools will now be classified strictly on their enrollment. We also heard from private school leaders regarding representation. In response, we are going to establish a private school headmaster and principal committee modeled after our superintendent’s committee.”
The AHSAA is currently being sued by Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) over their rule requiring transfer students using CHOOSE Act funds to sit out from athletics for a year. Montgomery County Circuit Judge J.R. Gaines recently granted a temporary restraining order against the AHSAA, allowing affected CHOOSE Act students to participate in sports while the lawsuit proceeds.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
