May 15, 2023 Group Watch: Bill to Change AHSAA Rules Gets Sidelined
State lawmakers held a hearing on bills that would affect the Alabama High School Athletic Association and student eligibility for high school sports but decided to stay out of those issues for now. The sponsor of the bills said he has heard from people all over the state with concerns about AHSAA rules and decisions. The concerns were said to include rules that disqualify an entire team from the playoff due to an eligibility issue of a single player and rules that restrict participation in club sports and therefore force students to choose between those and their school. After a lengthy and vigorous discussion of the matters, Senator Donnie Chesteen, chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee and a former high school football coach, announced the committee would not vote on the bills. That action means the bills likely will not pass during this session.
