BREAKING: AISA athletic programs to disband and officially join new association
By TIM GAYLE
The Alabama Independent School Association voted to disband its athletic program at the conclusion of the school year, bringing to a close 55 years of athletic administration by the private school organization.
The organization’s board of directors voted on Wednesday morning to conclude the athletic portion of the association while remaining committed to its role as an academic advisor to independent schools throughout the state.
“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.”
The association’s decision leaves the former members free to join the newly created Gulf States Independent School Association, which was initiated to serve the state’s private schools.
“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.”
Macon East Academy headmaster Glynn Lott, who has been at the forefront of the GSIAA move but is a lifelong participant in AISA athletics, said he had “mixed emotions” after Wednesday’s meeting.
“That’s all I ever done, since starting in the first grade,” Lott said. “I’ve done nothing but that. It is a sad day, but at the same time a lot of AISA schools see the chance for growth and see a glimpse out there of something that’s bigger and better that they can be a part of and that they can build.
“There was not a whole lot of discussion today. It has been discussed as we’ve traveled around the state and talked to people. Everybody was on board today to do it. That was another good thing about today. There were no votes against. Nobody was saying we ought to do this or not do this. Everybody has kind of figured this is our best option going forward.”
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.”
McLendon and the AISA, meanwhile, will continue in their current role as academic partners with the state’s private schools. Over the past decade, according to a press release fron the organization, the association has grown from approximately 50 schools to more than 100, representing more than 30,000 students throughout the state. During that time, AISA has significantly expanded its services, partnerships, professional programming and advocacy efforts.
AISA 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 as well as representing the state within the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).
“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.
“We can celebrate more than 50 years of athletic history, support those who are building new opportunities for private school athletics, and at the same time look ahead with tremendous optimism about AISA’s future,” he said. “The structure may change, but our commitment to Alabama’s independent schools does not.”