New executive director hired by the AHSAA & much more news:
GDW Analysis:
MONTGOMERY: Plenty is happening with the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
The AHSAA has announced Oxford High School principal Heath Harmon will be the new executive director of the association. This was approved by the AHSAA Central Board of Control on Thursday as a news conference was held to welcome Harmon to becoming the commander in chief of state athletics.
Harmon is replacing Alvin Briggs who announced his retirement back in the spring. Briggs will officially say goodbye to operations for the AHSAA on September 1.
Harmon is well known for his involvement with AHSAA athletics from coaching to administration.
The AHSAA is reporting Harmon will report to the association's office at the start of July and smoothly, understand his role of working with the state association that has made so much strive in the last decade.
Harmon will be on hand when the AHSAA All Star Sports Week is held July 15-19 across the Capitol City in regards to all star games in baseball, softball, basketball, golf, cross country and tennis, along with coaching clinics, administrative meetings and several award banquets.
The new athletic year in the AHSAA will begin around August 22 when fall sports such as football, volleyball and cross country can get into competitive play after starting the month with workouts.
Two days before the hiring of Harmon, a five year contract extension was agreed between the AHSAA, the NFHS Network and the Alabama Department of Public Television (APT) for championship events to be televised.
Radio station WKUL FM of Cullman has been able to work its way into a business relationship with the NFHS Network. The long time FM station provided the network local announcers, Johnny "Flash" Thornton and Rich Jesse in providing play by play of the regional basketball championships from Wallace State, the small schools state track meet at Cullman High and the state soccer championships from John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
"We are pleased on how things have come together between us at WKUL FM, the NFHS Network and the AHSAA," Thornton said. "We understand what they are seeking in displaying good talent to the play by play and analysis role of the championship events and the WKUL organization spends countless hours with its announcers to be groomed for these events, especially when many of the teams are not from schools that we cover regularly in basketball, track and soccer."
Next thing coming up by the AHSAA:
For the 2nd consecutive year, the AHSAA is presenting its scholastic basketball event.
It is under a different setup for 2024. The girls will be in the spotlight with games to be on Thursday and Friday, the 13th and 14th from the Finley Center next to Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Varsity teams will be under the watchful eye of the AHSAA and many collegiate coaches June 21 and June 22. The varsity event will take place from Hoover High School, Pelham High School and Thompson High School.
Locally, the Good Hope Lady Raiders and Fairview Lady Aggies will be playing on Friday.
The Good Hope Raiders and Cullman Bearcats have committed to be involved in their competition the following weekend.
GDW is planning to attend both events and have a report on the locals and other teams, well known to GDW.
Photo of news conference by the AHSAA with Heath Harmon the new executive director on June 6.
Photo courtesy of the AHSAA.
