GSIAA UPDATE: League bylaws finalized as plans laid to name executive director

By TIM GAYLE

Members of the Gulf States Independent Athletic Association founding board met via a Zoom call on Wednesday, finalizing the new private school organization’s bylaws and setting the stage for the introduction of a new executive director.

“We didn’t do a whole lot,” said Macon East Academy headmaster Glynn Lott, one of the primary organizers behind the new association. “We completed the bylaws, along with the transfer rule, the international students and financial aid, all of that was finalized.”

 The organization has created a new web site (www.gsiaa.org) and a new logo, but wanted to move quickly to finalize the bylaws so corporate attorneys can complete the paperwork with the secretary of state for the formation of a new corporation with a 501 (c) 3 status.   

One of the more important bylaws is the one regarding transfer students, which is similar to the one currently used by the Alabama Independent School Association, which requires students transferring from member school to member school must move a certain number of miles or sit out a year.

“We wanted to make sure everybody was happy with the transfer rule,” Lott said. “The transfer rule is a mileage rule to be eligible within the association and then if you’re outside the association, you have to sit out a year. It’s basically what everybody else is going to. We just wanted to make sure our schools weren’t going to be carnivores and eat each other alive. We want it to be a smooth transition.”

Obviously, schools that join the new association at the end of this school year and those that wait to join until the 2027-28 school year will be in different associations next year and not subject to the same transfer rules.

The board also discussed the dues for each member school and the need to schedule meetings around the state to talk to prospective members.

“I’ve already been around the state once,” Lott said, “but we’re starting meetings throughout the state to answer questions for (potential member) schools and to get more information.”

Board members will meet again in November.