Following the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA) recent decision to deny eligibility to some CHOOSE Act students, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth invited Alabamians across the state on Thursday to email his office with their experiences, critiques and assessments of the AHSAA, along with recommendations for changes and reforms in the governing body.
The public may email their comments to Ainsworth at [email protected].
"The AHSAA’s decision to declare itself above the law is the symptom of a much bigger problem — a complete lack of accountability for its actions,” Ainsworth said. “It is obvious that we must look into reforming how high school athletics are governed and regulated in Alabama, so I invite the public to send me their thoughts, suggestions, and experiences as we put together a plan.”
A Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge granted a temporary restraining order against the AHSAA on the issue recently, allowing affected CHOOSE Act students to participate in sports while the lawsuit proceeds.
In 2022, the AHSAA generated national headlines by forcing Oakwood Adventist Academy in Huntsville, a school affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to forfeit a Saturday afternoon regional semifinal basketball game to Faith Christian School because students and coaches did not wish to violate their religious beliefs by playing on their Sabbath. Postponing the game by just three hours would have allowed the Oakwood Academy team to play in the tournament without sacrificing religious practices.
In 2019, the AHSAA was again mired in national controversy when it denied the senior year eligibility of Charles Henderson High School standout basketball player Maori Davenport of Troy.
According to Ainsworth’s press release, AHSAA rescinded Davenport’s eligibility due to a clerical error involving her play with the Team USA basketball program, and the controversial decision prompted several influential sportswriters, television personalities, and professional athletes across the United States to speak out on the high school student’s behalf. A Pike County circuit judge issued an emergency order restoring eligibility to Davenport, who was ranked as the 15th best women’s basketball recruit in the nation, after her family filed a lawsuit.
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