DEADLINE EXTENDED: Win $1000 for your high school—enter the inaugural AHSAA Fan Challenge

Do YOU think your school’s student section has the most spirit in Alabama? AHSAA is looking for videos of the loudest, proudest student cheering section in the state. The best part? There’s $1,000 in prize money on the line for the winning school. Over 20 Alabama schools have already entered the challenge, and we’re extending the deadline to Friday, October 21 to give your school a chance to join them! Read on for details.

Win $1000 for your school!

When it comes to high school sports, it’s no secret that student sections across Alabama bring the noise with their amplified school spirit. Now’s your chance to win big for it!

What’s up for grabs? The school that comes out on top will receive a sportsmanship banner, promotion through Bham Now/The Bama Buzz and, of course, the ultimate bragging rights. In addition, the winning school will receive $1000 in prize money, to be utilized any way you wish to support your school, compliments of Bham Now/The Bama Buzz.

Are you up for the challenge?

The inaugural AHSAA Fan Challenge is heating up with over 20 entries from schools across the state. Now, you have an extra week to throw your hat in the ring!

Don’t forget, judges will take into account the size of the school and the challenges each school has overcome in the past year when considering the winner. There’s no reason not to put a video together and get the hype train started for your school!

Check out these examples from Arab High School and Cullman High School, who showed us how to bring the noise:

Arab High School

Cullman High School

To get in on the challenge, follow these three steps before the deadline on Friday, October 21 at 5PM:

1. FILM YOUR STUDENT SECTION

Get out your cameras and show us how loud, organized, positive and original you can be. Videos captured from your phone are fine!

• Videos must be no longer than 1 minute, with at least 15 seconds of dialogue describing why you deserve to be crowned as the top student section in the state.
• Footage may be from previous games in the 2021-2022 calendar year.
• Don’t forget, sportsmanship is a key component.

2. POST TO SOCIAL

Now that you’ve got the footage, it’s time to show it off. Post your video to Instagram or TikTok with the hashtag #AHSAAFans.

3. EMAIL YOUR LINK

After posting your video on socials, make sure to email the link to AHSAA@thebamabuzz.com to verify your submission. Videos that are not submitted via email cannot be considered. 

Remember, your video must be submitted no later than Friday, October 21 at 5PM. 

Then, you’re in! 

Pro tip—when reviewing submissions, judges will be looking for these key components in your video: 

• Positive sportsmanship
• Student body participation
• School spirit
• Originality of cheers
• Organization of the group
• Student section leadership
• Fun! 

Choosing the finalists 🏆

After you submit your video via social media and email, The Bama Buzz will share your entry on Instagram (@thebamabuzz). Then, it’s time to like, comment, share and show us how much you want to see your school move on to the next round. 

There will be SEVEN semifinalists, one for each Class (1A-7A), chosen by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association and Cheer Association. Then, there will be a social media voting period where you can like, comment and share to cast a vote for your school. 

The Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association and Cheer Association will determine a winner based on the video, the school’s social media involvement, the follower-led voting on AHSAA’s social media and sportsmanship.

Representatives for each semifinalist school will be invited to the AHSAA Super 7 Football Championships to be recognized. 

The winning school

The big winner will be announced on the jumbotron at the AHSAA Super 7 Football Championships, on AHSAA’s Instagram and The Bama Buzz’s social media. The winner will also be announced on AHSAA’s TV Show (WOTM/Broadway Communications + NFHS Network). 

Here’s the official AHSAA Fan Challenge timeline:

• Mon. August 29th — Announce challenge to schools and online 
• Fri. October 21 (5PM) — Video submission deadline 
• Fri. October 28 — Semifinalists announced to schools and online via AHSAA.
• Fri. October 28-Fri. November 11 — Social Media voting period 
• December 1-3 — Winning school announced at Super 7 Football Championships with a representative from each semifinalist to attend

Well, what are you waiting for? Get your staff and students together to show us what you’ve got. Visit the AHSAA website for more details.

Note—schools must be an AHSAA member organization to qualify. Questions: Email us at AHSAA@thebamabuzz.com.

Stay up to date on what’s happening around Alabama—follow The Bama Buzz on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok + LinkedIn.