AISA to end its administration over private school athletics
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – The Alabama Independent School Association board of directors has voted to conclude AISA’s interscholastic athletic program at the end of this school year, bringing an end to more than 50 years of athletic administration.
“This is an emotional decision because athletics has been an important part of AISA for more than half a century,” said AISA Executive Director Michael McLendon. “We are tremendously
proud of that history and grateful to the countless coaches, athletic directors, administrators, officials, volunteers and student-athletes who have made AISA athletics what it has been.”
At the same time, AISA believes the changing landscape of private school athletics presents an opportunity for a fresh approach.
AISA says the Gulf States Independent Athletic Association is being developed as a separate and independent organization, with its own leadership and governance, dedicated specifically to
private school athletics.
“We wish the leadership of the Gulf States Independent Athletic Association great success as they make preparations for this new venture,” McLendon said. “We support the idea of creating
an environment in which private school athletics has the greatest opportunity to thrive, and we will be cheering for their success.”
McLendon said an athletic association dedicated exclusively to private school athletics creates an opportunity to think differently about what the future could look like.
“Private schools across Alabama represent a wide range of missions, traditions, communities and athletic programs,” McLendon said. “A new association has the opportunity to create a structure
specifically designed around those schools and their student-athletes, while potentially bringing together schools that have historically competed in different organizations. We believe
Alabama’s private schools are stronger when they have opportunities to work, compete, and grow together.”
The transition in athletics also comes at an important moment in AISA’s history, as the association looks toward its own next chapter following a decade of significant growth and
evolution.
Over the past decade, the association has grown from serving approximately 50 schools to more than 100 member schools representing more than 30,000 students across Alabama. During that
time, AISA has significantly expanded its services, partnerships, professional programming and advocacy efforts.
AISA says it will continue providing advocacy, accreditation services, professional development, academic competitions, student leadership opportunities, leadership development, member
benefits, and other programs designed to strengthen independent schools.
AISA says it will undertake a strategic planning process during the coming year to help guide the association through this transition and establish priorities for its next stage of growth.
“This is not simply about what AISA will no longer administer,” McLendon said. “It is about what AISA can become. We have an opportunity to focus even more intentionally on
strengthening schools through programming, developing leaders, expanding services, advocating for independent education and preparing our association for the future.”
McLendon said AISA’s underlying purpose remains unchanged. It serves independent schools through accreditation, professional development, leadership development, student programs, academic competitions, advocacy, member services and strategic partnerships.
