Alabama High School Athletic Association executive director Alvin Briggs responded Thursday to Gov. Kay Ivey’s e-mail earlier this week. The e-mail was critical of the way the AHSAA handled the situation with Oakwood Academy’s boys basketball team last weekend.
Oakwood, a Seventh Day Adventist School, forfeited its Northeast Regional semifinal game for religious reasons. The game was scheduled to be played at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Jacksonville State University. Seventh Day Adventists celebrate the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
The school was hoping the AHSAA would flip its game time with the other Class 1A semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. Oakwood Academy athletic director Calvin Morton said his request was denied twice via email. On Tuesday, Gov. Ivey sent her letter to Briggs — and shared with members of the media — requesting answers about the AHSAA’s position on the matter.
Briggs said in his response to Gov. Ivey that he usually would not respond to outside inquiries about student athletes or actions assessed to member schools, but “as the Honorable Governor of the state of Alabama, I felt a response would be important in this case.”
Briggs said when Oakwood became a full member of the Association in 2017, the AHSAA’s Central Board had concerns about the school joining since many championship events are held on Fridays and Saturdays.
“Therefore, Oakwood agreed to follow the rules of the AHSAA and agreed to participate in all playoff games without petition, or forfeit. That statement was provided to the AHSAA in writing, and the AHSAA responded in writing, accepting their agreement to participate in championship play, without petition or forfeit.”
Briggs wrote further, “Therefore, regardless of news reports and the public narrative that has been created, the AHSAA simply upheld the agreement that was made when Oakwood became a full member.”
Briggs pointed out that the AHSAA has more than 414 high schools and 27 sports for boys or girls. He said making an exception for any school every time one is requested would be “chaotic.”
In an answer to a specific Ivey question, Briggs said the AHSAA’s response did not violate any Association rules. “The AHSAA was simply standing with the agreement made between Oakwood and the AHSAA.”
Ivey’s letter asked if the AHSAA was concerned about how Oakwood’s “treatment” would be perceived by Alabama taxpayers who support and subsidize AHSAA operations. Briggs pointed out the AHSAA receives no state funding.
He also said Oakwood, as a member, has had opportunities to submit proposals, change current bylaws or create new ones. He concluded by thanking the Governor for her concern for the student-athletes.
Later Thursday night, Ivey spokesperson Gina Maiola responded to Briggs’ letter.
“As she stated in her initial letters, Governor Ivey wants answers on the concerning situation involving the AHSAA. Earlier this evening, she received a letter back from Mr. Briggs. She is also looking forward to getting the Oakwood basketball team in her office soon so that she can hear from the boys. The governor is continuing to gather the facts on this situation.”
Faith Christian moved on to the regional final after receiving a 2-0 forfeit. That team was beaten by Decatur Heritage, which will represent the Northeast Region in the state tournament next week in Birmingham.
Briggs’ full letter is below:
