Ahsaa Director Alvin Briggs — AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs has announced his retirement. (AHSAA)

The first minority to ever serve as the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Executive Director is stepping down.

Alvin Briggs, who has been in the role since 2021, announced his decision to retire during this week’s Central Board of Control meeting. He will continuing working in the role before officially retiring September 2.

“My time with the AHSAA has been memorable. I am humbled and thankful for having the opportunity to serve our member schools and Central Board as their executive director. I am grateful to the AHSAA staff for their commitment to serving our member schools. I will miss this extended family. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish and am confident the AHSAA will continue to move forward facing and overcoming the many challenges that the future might bring. Now, after much prayer, it is time for me to retire.”
~ AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs

Briggs 3 — AHSAA executive director Alvin Briggs had a career as an athlete in Alabama. (AHSAA)

A career worth celebrating

Briggs grew up in Alabama and played football at Greenville High School before moving on to the college level. He was a starting defensive back for the Auburn Tigers, recording nine interceptions in 34 games.

He returned to Greenville to coach in 2001 before taking a job at Florence High School. Briggs spent nine seasons as a head football coach, compiling a 52-44 record, before taking a job with the AHSAA in 2011.

Briggs served in a variety of roles including Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) and Associate Executive Director prior to becoming executive director when Steve Savarese stepped down in 2021.

The fifth executive director in AHSAA history, Briggs guided the association through the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was instrumental in starting Girls’ Flag Football and secured Oxford’s Choccolocco Park and Jacksonville State University for the state baseball and softball championships. Non-revenue sports have seen growing numbers of participation during his tenure.

The AHSAA also said Briggs has led the association to record years in the revenue sharing paid back to member schools.