The Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) has formally applied for affiliate membership with the National Federation of High School State Associations (NFHS).
AISA aims to foster enhanced collaboration and standardization among its member schools and their athletic programs through membership with the NFHS, taking a significant stride toward advancing high school sports and activities.
“After so many years of restricting competitive choice in Alabama, we are hopeful that the AHSAA Board of Control will support our application for NFHS affiliate membership and support competitive choice by allowing their members to compete against our members if they choose to do so. In addition to providing more local opponents for middle and high school students to compete against, which will work toward improving travel expenses, the competitive choice will lift community spirit and create local interest in the respective schools and programs,” said AISA Executive Director Michael McLendon.
In the 19 states surveyed across the southeast, only Alabama and Louisiana do not allow competitive choice among associations within their respective states.
“The more we surveyed states and learned about the various relationships shared by associations within each state, the more disappointed and discouraged we became that Alabama continues this practice. In every state we surveyed, we discovered that competitive choice resulted in positive outcomes, including less travel time and more instructional time for student athletes, enhanced competitive opportunities, and stronger communities through local public and independent school competition,” said McLendon.
The application is now contingent upon the approval of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA) Central Board of Control. If approved, the application will then go before a regional board of the NFHS, which makes the final decision regarding the AISA’s application. The AHSAA, the primary governing body for high school sports in Alabama, will meet Wednesday to deliberate on AISA’s request.
With renewed optimism, AISA anticipates a positive outcome that ushers in a new chapter of cooperation and collaboration within Alabama and the broader region. The association is unwavering in its mission to deliver exemplary experiences for its student-athletes and views NFHS affiliate membership and competitive choice as cornerstones in this quest.
A recent update to AHSAA bylaws allows its members to compete against out-of-state opponents who are affiliate members of the NFHS, which includes members of the Mid-South Association of Independent Schools (formerly Mississippi Association of Independent Schools) and the Mid-South Association of Homeschool Athletics, an association of homeschool athletic programs located in Mississippi and Alabama. This expanded opportunity for AHSAA members to compete against the homeschool and private school organizations in Mississippi makes for a richer, more exciting sports narrative that should be valued in our state as much as it is valued in competition with out-of-state associations.
The AISA’s efforts to become an affiliate member of the NFHS dates back to 2013 when the bid was disapproved by Section 3 – a regional division within NFHS representing eight Southern states. AISA has remained steadfast in its commitment to elevate interscholastic athletics in alignment with national standards by continuing to adhere to NFHS rules and procedures.
AISA’s persistent endeavor reflects its dedication to enhancing competitive opportunities, ensuring consistent and high-quality experiences for student-athletes, and forging partnerships with other NFHS members and affiliate members. Approval by the AHSAA Central Board of Control and the NFHS Regional Board would mark a significant step toward realizing these objectives, facilitating greater competitive choice and fostering collaboration between AISA and the AHSAA.
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