Latest news with #AHSAA
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama bill removing English language learners from school athletic classifications dies
Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, applauds during a session of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 17, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Colvin plans to bring back his bill that would have excluded certain English language learner (ELL) students from a public school's average daily membership when determining athletic competition classification next year. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) A bill that would have excluded certain English language learner (ELL) students from a public school's average daily membership when determining athletic competition classification failed to move in this year's session. But the bill's sponsor said it will likely return next year. 'We just ran out of time,' said Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, in an interview last week. 'I think one thing we can take away is a lot of people get educated on an issue that's only impacting a few areas in our state.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HB 298 passed the House 72-1 with 29 abstentions and many floor amendments on April 30, but never received a Senate committee vote. The legislation would not have limited the ability of ELL students to participate The bill in some ways reflects demographic changes in the state. About 5.7% of Alabama's population is Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. But the numbers are significantly higher in parts of northern Alabama. Marshall County's population, where Colvin is from, is about 16% Hispanic or Latino. According to about 86% of ELL students in 2022-23 identified as Hispanic or Latino. Colvin and other supporters of the legislation claim that ELL students were generally not participating in extracurricular activities, which meant that schools could be moved up to athletic classification levels where they would struggle. 'I didn't understand why we have to count them, because it's not an accurate reflection of our athletic pool,' Colvin said. Through debates on the bill, Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, said Crossville High School in DeKalb County paused its varsity football team two years ago because it was moved to a 5A classification by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). Crossville High School Principal Jon Peppers said in an interview last week the school only had about 20 kids on the team and competed against other 5A schools with 50-100 athletes. 'A lot of kids were playing football in the ninth grade, 10th grade, and they were having to go out on the field against teams like Guntersville, Albertville, Boaz,' Peppers said. 'Their teams would have a whole offensive team, a defensive team, and we'd have kids that had to play both ways, and they had never played football before. Then they got hurt.' Numbers on athletic participation by racial or ethnic background in Alabama are not available. The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) does not have specific data on the race of its athletes. A 2022 National Center for Health Statistics study found that in 2020, about 60% of non-Hispanic white students aged 6-17 had participated in sports in the last year, compared to about 47% of Hispanic students and 42% of Black students. Allison Hamilton, executive director of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, said in an interview last week that English and a second language (ESL) and ELL students are not a direct correlation to high school teams not having enough participation. 'If a school's population is growing, then maybe that's what they need to address how they're classifying,' Hamilton said. 'In general, I think it's discriminatory to choose to change classification based on ESL participation.' DeKalb County is 16.4% Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2020 census. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 82% of the student body identified as Hispanic or Latino in the 2023-24 school year. Peppers said most of the Hispanic students start working in high school instead of participating in sports. 'So once they get old enough, 15, to be able to work, they prefer their kids not to play sports,' he said. 'They want them to get jobs to help pay for the bills.' Hamilton said that while Hispanic students are working while in school, that is not unique to Hispanic families. 'I mean for sure, there are students that are choosing to take jobs after school so that they can help their families. I think that's not just true of Hispanic families, but of many low income students,' she said. The Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (HICA) said in a statement last week it could not comment on the specifics of the bill. 'We can say that Hispanic students, like all other students, enjoy the opportunity to participate in sports programs throughout the states,' Carlos Alemán, CEO of HICA, wrote. 'Our Hispanic students also participate in post-secondary opportunities across the state, and they are one of the fastest-growing populations in our community colleges and universities.' Peppers said he plans to bring back the varsity football team this year, but the team will consist of seventh to 12th graders. There are currently 40 kids signed up for the varsity football team this fall. 'That's been our downfall of our football program. They're making us play against schools that have kids that are bigger, stronger, faster than us,' he said. 'You know, we play the kids we have that's never played football before.' Attempts to schedule an interview with the AHSAA were unsuccessful, but the association has been vocal in its opposition to the legislation. Heath Harmon, executive director of the AHSAA, said in an April statement that he is disappointed by the legislation because it would discourage ELL students from participating in sports in the name of keeping a lower classification. Colvin challenged the position saying the legislation does not prohibit ELL students from participating in sports, and they would still be counted towards the classification if they did participate. 'It's emotional and maybe there's some resentment towards the immigration population, but I think if we can get this issue fixed, it at least takes away that piece of frustration when it comes to immigration,' Colvin said Monday. 'I think it would actually lead to more assimilation, more maybe even working with these ELL kids to try to get them more involved in sports, because if they play, they count.' Peppers said the varsity football team was the only team that was paused because of low participation and high injury. He said the school's soccer team often has to make cuts to make room for all the interested kids. 'The only sport that's probably not affected is our soccer program,' Peppers said. Hamilton said that the Coalition had many members 'whose children are participating in athletic events at their schools.' 'I think that the concern I have is just that this bill seems to be potentially harmful for schools that have a significant English language learner population, limiting their ability to qualify for athletic competition.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Four-star in-state forward JJ Andrews commits to Arkansas basketball, John Calipari
John Calipari is keeping an in-state star home with Arkansas basketball's first commitment in the class of 2026. Little Rock Christian Academy's JJ Andrews announced his pledge to the Razorbacks on Thursday at a ceremony inside the high school, choosing Arkansas over SEC rivals Missouri and LSU. Andrews is a 6-foot-6 wing who is the state's top recruit and the country's 37th-best prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Advertisement More: John Calipari announces three Arkansas basketball players will return next season More: Already in transfer portal, Boogie Fland withdraws from NBA Draft | Report Andrews is also a legacy prospect for the Razorbacks. His father, Shawn Andrews, played offensive line for Arkansas from 2001-03 and went on to have a seven-year career in the NFL. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and spent a bulk of those years with the Philadelphia Eagles. JJ was recently named the 2024-25 Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year. He averaged 28.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and two blocks during his junior season, leading Little Rock Christian into the second round of the AHSAA 5A Playoffs. The Warriors fell to Benton, which went on to win the state title. Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari during the first half of a second round men's NCAA Tournament game against the St. John's Red Storm at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images According to 247Sports, JJ has a 7-foot wingspan to go along with his powerful frame. He's adept at getting downhill and finishing through traffic around the basket with the ideal combo of size and athleticism to become an elite defender. JJ needs to become more consistent with his shooting mechanics but has made strides in every year of his high school career. Advertisement JJ is the second in-state prospect to commit to Calipari since his arrival in Fayetteville. Springdale High School's Isaiah Sealy signed with the Hogs during the previous recruiting cycle and will be on the Hogs' roster for the upcoming season. Sealy was the 74th-ranked player in the country in the Class of 2025. Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@ or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Little Rock Christian's JJ Andrews commits to Arkansas basketball, John Calipari
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn baseball pledge Mason McCraine leads Glenwood to state championship
Auburn baseball pledge Mason McCraine leads Glenwood to state championship The Auburn pledge struck out 10 batters in Glenwood's deciding win over Gordo last week. The future of Auburn baseball is bright as one of its 2025 commits recently led his high school team to a state championship. Mason McCraine, a 6-7 utility player from Glenwood School in Smith's Station, Alabama, and the brother of current Auburn player Brandon McCraine, recently played a large role in Glenwood's state championship run. The Gators took down Gordo High School in two games during last week's action to win the AHSAA Class 3A state championship at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville. The win was Glenwood's first state championship as a member of the AHSAA. McCraine was a vital piece to his team's championship run. He logged two hits and two runs in Glenwood's 7-4 game one win over Gordo, and followed suit in game two by striking out 10 batters and allowing two runs on the mound. He added another hit at the plate in the Gators' 12-3 state championship win. McCraine is one of 10 players committed to play for Auburn as part of its 2025 signing class, and one of six commitments that hail from Alabama. According to Perfect Game, Auburn holds the No. 27 signing class from the 2025 cycle, and ranks No. 13 in the SEC in a conference that occupies the first seven spots in the rankings. The Tigers boasted the No. 5 signing class in the 2024 cycle with signees such as Christian Chatterton, Chris Rembert, Chase Fralick, and Jackson Sanders contributing to Auburn's success early in their careers. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vote now: Who is The Montgomery Advertiser's Vance Law Firm Athlete of the Week for May 5-9?
It's time to vote for the Montgomery area boys and girls athlete of the week, sponsored by Vance Law Firm. Trinity's Lawson Roth scored two goals and had an assist to win 58% of the boys vote. Montgomery Academy's Knox Wingate placed second with 40% after a first place finish at sectional in pole vault. Advertisement Nominees for athlete of the week come from the top performers of the week before. To nominate a top performer, have your coach email sports@ Voting will last until Thursday at noon. Votes will not be accepted via email, only in the polls below. MA BOYS SOCCER: Montgomery Academy boys soccer state title 'means everything' to coach, new dad FROM LAST WEEK: Somer Rone and Haylei Mason both win two state titles to lead area's top performances COACHES: To report scores, email sports@ after your games, and by 10 p.m. CT on Friday to be included in top performers and nominate for Athlete of the Week polls. Vance Law Firm Athlete of the Week Logo Montgomery area boys athlete of the week nominations Carver's Maurice Conner won the state championship in the AHSAA 7A 100-meter dash (10.63) and finished 2nd in the 200-meter dash (21.35). Loachapoka's Noah Norman won the AHSAA 2A state shot put championship with a toss of 48-06.00. Montgomery Academy's Skyler Stovall won the AHSAA 4A high jump championship (6-06.00). He finished 4th in long jump (21-03.25). Alabama Christian Academy's AC Walters is the state's newest AHSAA 3A state javelin champion after a winning throw of 174-04. Montgomery Academy's Hampton Welch scored a goal in the second overtime to lift the team to a 3-2 win against Fairhope in the AHSAA 7A boys AHSAA semifinal. Montgomery area girls athlete of the week nominations Montgomery Academy's Isabella Arnett finished second in the 800-meter run (2:21.91) at the AHSAA 4A state championships. Alabama Christian Academy's Autumn Jackson is the AHSAA 3A state champion in triple jump with a leap of 34-06.50. Montgomery Catholic's Haylei Mason claimed a pair of AHSAA 4A state championships, winning the 100-meter hurdles (14.66) as well as the 300-meter hurdles (44.78). Park Crossing's Somer Rone claimed two titles at the AHSAA 6A state championships, winning both the 200-meter dash (24.59) and the 100-meter dash (12.03). Lee-Scott Academy's 3-2 win against Madison Academy in the AHSAA 1A/3A championship was captured by a kick from MVP A.J. Spillman in a shootout after two overtimes. Spillman's play in a semifinal match win included a hat trick. Vote for The Montgomery Advertiser Vance Law Firm Boy Athlete of the Week for May 5-9 Vote for The Montgomery Advertiser Vance Law Firm Girl Athlete of the Week for May 5-9 This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Vote for The Montgomery Advertiser Vance Law Firm Athlete of the Week for May 5-9
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama House approves regulations for AHSAA classification on English language learners
Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville (right) speaks with Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 22, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House passed Colvin's bill Tuesday that excludes certain English language learner (ELLs) students from a public school's average daily membership when determining athletic competition classification. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would exclude certain English language learner (ELL) students from a public school's average daily membership when determining athletic competition classification. HB 298, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, passed 72-1 with 29 abstentions and many floor amendments. 'So it's not saying they can't play. I would never support that. It's just saying, they'd only count for that classification if they do participate,' Colvin said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The chamber adopted a committee substitute that only allowed schools where ELL students make up 15% or more of its average daily membership (ADM) to have their classification adjusted. 'That concern came from school systems under 15, saying it wasn't covered. And I agree, every school needs to be able to utilize the formula,' Colvin said. But the first amendment by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, allows any schools to adjust their classification regardless of how many ELL students the school has. 'So the fairest thing to do is to treat everybody the same and not have winners and losers,' Crawford said. The second amendment by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, changed the effective date to the 2026-27 school year, instead of the 2025-26 school year. He said that classifications are determined by the ADM from the previous year. 'So all this amendment does is make sure that if this piece of legislation passes, it will not impact the 2025-2026 athletic calendar year,' Blackshear said. The third and final amendment by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, requires the governing body of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) to have two additional non-voting members from the Legislature. The Speaker of the House will appoint a member from the minority party and the Senate President Pro Tempore will appoint a member of the majority party to the AHSAA board. 'I'm just trying to start getting a little bit of oversight there,' Hulsey said. Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, said a school in her district dissolved their varsity football program because the school was classified as a 5A school when she said it should have been 2A. She said the number of ELL students in the district changed the classification. 'My schools there are the poster children for exactly what you're talking about,' she said. 'It's a very big concern, there's a lot of injury and low participation. That's why they've not been able to have a varsity program for quite some time now.' Crossville High School in DeKalb County has not had a varsity football team since 2022, but is set to return in 2026, according to the county's local news outlet the Times-Journal. Heath Harmon, executive director of the AHSAA, said in a statement that he is disappointed by the legislation because it would discourage ELL students from participating in sports in the name of keeping a lower classification. He also said the third amendment on the legislation would make the AHSAA the only private association with mandated political representation. 'We strive to keep politics out of the boardroom and focus on doing what is best for all student athletes,' he wrote in the statement. 'As an Association, we are committed to supporting all member schools in all sports in addition to promoting participation. This bill is in direct opposition to those commitments.' Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, was the lone 'no' vote on the legislation. He said in an interview that he does not believe the Legislature should be involved in the AHSAA's policies. 'I don't feel the Legislature should be getting involved in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's policies no more than I feel Congress should be involved in the NCAA and their policies as well,' he said. 'It's sort of a standard I feel at both levels of government.' The bill goes to the Senate. There are four legislative days left in the 2025 session. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
