Welcome Back!

Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, administrators, officials, and support personnel on a great start to the fall seasons. Volleyball, softball, football, cross country, and cheerleading are underway, and flag football will begin soon. It has been exciting to see the preparation, enthusiasm, and school spirit displayed throughout our state.

As we move forward, let us remain committed to providing a positive and safe environment for everyone involved. Good sportsmanship should be at the center of every contest. We encourage our coaches, student-athletes, parents, and spectators to represent their schools and communities with pride, respect, and class.

I want to thank our student athletes, school administrators, athletic directors, coaches, officials, game-management personnel, and countless volunteers whose leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment set the standard for high school athletics across the nation. Because of your exceptional work, Georgia continues to be recognized as a national leader in providing outstanding opportunities and championship experiences for student-athletes. Simply put, our people are what make high school athletics in Georgia among the very best in the country. Thank you for all you do for our students!

We look forward to an exciting fall filled with outstanding competition, memorable moments, and championship experiences. Best wishes to all our member schools for a safe, successful, and rewarding season.

Let’s have a great year!

Tim Scott

Executive Director

Georgia High School Association

September is official fall sports “CANCER AWARENESS MONTH” in the Georgia High School Association to help fight all types of this dreaded disease. Teams may wear colored jerseys, socks, wristbands, and headbands during a home event to show support for their chosen cancer fundraiser.

As part of September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the GHSA is partnering with, Rally Foundation and CURE Childhood Cancer dedicated to funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families.

Please visit their websites, to learn how to Go Gold at one of your upcoming games.

In observance of Breast Cancer “Pink” awareness, the GHSA allows member schools to wear “Pink” at their HOME event. January (winter) and April (spring) are additional “cancer awareness” months throughout the GHSA scholastic season.

Download Cure Childhood Cancer Fundraising Flyer

Thank you to everyone in advance for your enthusiasm and action to fight back against cancer.

CARROR WRIGHT - Associate Director - (ext. 139) Coach’s Liaison, Compliance & Transfer Eligibility, Sportsmanship cwright@ghsa.net

DANNY REDSHAW - Associate Director - (ext. 135) Baseball, Volleyball dannyredshaw@ghsa.net

DARRELL LANE - Associate Director - (ext. 142) Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Officiating Department darrell@ghsa.net

ERNIE YARBROUGH - Liaison/Consultant - (ext. 127) Championship Logistics, Flag Football ery@ghsa.net

JASPER JEWELL - Associate Director - (ext. 140) Bass Fishing, Football jjewell@ghsa.net

JULIE JONES - Administrative Assistant - (ext. 124) Community Coach Program, Entry Notification, Dues, Paraprofessional Head Coach Program juliejones@ghsa.net

KENT MORROW - Associate Director - (ext. 136) PSR, eSports, Golf, Riflery kent.morrow@ghsa.net

LINDA CROWDER - Administrative Assistant - (ext. 121) Organizing Championship Medals, Assist

with Cheerleading, Student Leadership, Literary, School System/Staff Passes, linda@ghsa.net

MARVIN JAMES - Media Director - (ext. 126) Press Releases, Media Coordination of State Events, Newsletter, Constitution & Calendar, Tennis marvin.james@ghsa.net

MERRI SHERMAN - Associate Director - (ext. 134) Softball, Soccer msherman@ghsa.net

PAM THOMPSON - Officials' Registrar - (ext. 130) Officials' Clinic Attendance, Officials' Registrations, Test Scoring & Records, Waivers, Officials and Evaluator Passes, GHSA Recruiting Grant, Publications and eBooks, Awards, Service Plaques pamthompson@ghsa.net

PENNY PITTS MITCHELL - Associate Director - (ext. 122) Cheerleading, Game Day Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Dance, Student Leadership, Title IX penny@ghsa.net

ROBIN BULLINGTON - Office Manager - (ext. 133) Budgeting and Finances, Playoff & Championship Finances, Staff Procedures robin@ghsa.net

ROBIN HINES - GHSA Legislative Liaison/Consultant. By-law Interpretations, Eligibility, Hardship Rulings, Swimming robin.hines@ghsa.net

SHERI EUBANKS -Administrative Assistant/Weight Management Coordinator - (ext. 131) Lifetime Passes, School System Passes, Ejection Reports, Hardship/Appeals Scheduler, Publication Orders, Rules Violation and Ejection Fines, Wrestling Weight Management, NFHS Annual Participation Survey sherieubanks@ghsa.net

STACEY JONES - Administrative Assistant - (ext. 132) School Contacts & School Passes, Directory, Coaches’ Clinics, Trophies & Medals stacey@ghsa.net

TANYA ANDERSON - Associate Director - (ext. 129) Literary, One Act Play, Cross Country, Track & Field, Event Sanctioning, and Student Leadership tanyaanderson@ghsa.net

TIM SCOTT - Executive Director - (ext. 141) Administration, Interpretation of GHSA Rules, Hardship Applications, Appeals, Coaches Education Program, Swimming (Andy Cowart) Wrestling (Bud Hennebaul) tim.scott@ghsa.net

Beginning this school year, GHSA will celebrate former student athletes across our social media platforms every Thursday. So if you have any student athletes from the past that you'd like to nominate, please send your request to marvin.james@ghsa.net

DULUTH, Ga. – The Georgia Athletic Directors Association celebrated the state’s top high school athletic programs Tuesday evening during the annual GADA Directors Cup Awards Celebration in Duluth.

The Directors Cup recognizes excellence across an entire athletic program, honoring schools whose student-athletes and coaches have consistently excelled in GHSA competition throughout the school year. Awards were presented to the top overall, girls and boys athletic programs in each classification.

In Class 1A Division II, Lake Oconee Academy earned both the Overall and Girls Directors Cups, while Trion High School captured the Boys Cup.

Wesleyan swept Class 1A Division I, earning the Overall, Girls and Boys Directors Cups.

In Class 2A, Columbus High School claimed the Overall and Girls honors, while Hebron Christian Academy earned the Boys Cup.

Jefferson High School captured the Class 3A Overall Directors Cup. Greater Atlanta Christian earned the Girls Cup, while Oconee County High School took home the Boys honor.

In Class 4A, Marist School completed a clean sweep, winning the Overall, Girls and Boys Directors Cups.

Pope High School accomplished the same feat in Class 5A, capturing all three Directors Cup honors.

In Class 6A, Buford High School earned the Overall Directors Cup, Walton High School captured the Girls Cup and Carrollton High School earned the Boys Cup.

Congratulations to all of the student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, administrators and school communities whose work throughout the year made these accomplishments possible. These programs represent the best of their respective classifications and the tremendous tradition of excellence throughout Georgia high school athletics.

Special thanks to GADA Executive Director Joe Sanfilippo and GADA President Kevin Grooms for their leadership and for celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of athletic programs across the state.

Opioid and fentanyl addiction has become a crisis that touches families in every corner of Georgia. According to the CDC, more than 650,000 Americans have died from opioid abuse over the past 20 years.

If you need help, or know someone who needs assistance with opioid misuse, call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225. Help is available 24/7.

For an immediate overdose or medical emergency, call 911. You can also call or text 988 for mental health or substance-use crisis support.

After suffering a traumatic arm injury during a cheer stunt in October 2025, Kennedy “Kady Mac” Moon faced six surgeries, permanent nerve damage and a long road to recovery. Despite losing movement in her dominant arm, Kady Mac never lost sight of her goal to return to sports. Through daily rehabilitation, relentless determination and a positive attitude, she earned spots on both the Mary Persons varsity soccer and varsity cheer teams — even scoring twice in a recent soccer game. Kady Mac’s ability to overcome adversity while continuing to lead and inspire those around her embodies the true spirit of a comeback athlete. Her perseverance and refusal to give up have made her a role model for her teammates and her entire school community

Isaiah Respert entered his senior football season as a three-year starter and highly recruited offensive lineman before suffering two devastating knee injuries that sidelined him for much of his final football season. Rather than step away from his team, Isaiah continued to serve as a captain and support his teammates from the sidelines, earning his school’s Servant Leadership Award for his dedication to the program. Determined to finish his athletic career on the court, Isaiah worked tirelessly through rehabilitation and returned for his senior basketball season as a captain. He went on to earn All-Defensive Team honors and later signed to play football at Northeast Mississippi on a full scholarship. His leadership, perseverance and dedication make him a true example of what it means to be a comeback athlete.

GHSA Reminds Coaches and Student-Athletes to Stay Safe During Fall Practices

As we enter the conditioning and fall practice period, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) urges all coaches and student-athletes to prioritize safety.

Please remember that the GHSA Heat and Humidity Policy applies to all sports, not just football.

A scientifically approved Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitor must be used at every outdoor practice to ensure compliance with GHSA policy. WBGT readings must be taken at least every 30 minutes, beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of practice.

Important Policy Clarifications

• Once a WBGT reading reaches a specific range and remains there for 15 consecutive minutes, the practice restrictions for that range must be followed for the remainder of that practice. Schools may not revert to a lower restriction level, even if the WBGT reading later decreases.

• If, during the same practice, the WBGT increases into a higher range and remains there for 15 consecutive minutes, the restrictions for the higher range must immediately be implemented. Schools may not return to a lower restriction level if conditions improve later during that practice.

• If practice has not yet begun and the WBGT reading is above 92.0, no outdoor workouts are permitted. Schools should delay the start of practice until WBGT conditions improve.

• Schools must use a scientifically approved WBGT monitor. If your school has a Perry Weather station on campus, it meets GHSA requirements and may be used. Phone applications are not approved for WBGT measurements at this time.

• All WBGT monitors must be calibrated at least once every two (2) years, or sooner if recommended by the manufacturer.

Some useful links:

Practice Policy for Heat and Humidity

GHSA Heat Index Measurement & Record Chart

Frequently Asked Questions Re: GHSA Heat Policy

Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of Georgia's student-athletes.

Stay safe. Stay hydrated.

The Georgia High School Association has announced that the GHSA Basketball State Championships will be played at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta for the next two seasons.

GHSA Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott said the decision reflects the association’s commitment to providing student-athletes with the best championship experience possible.

“We always look for the best facilities available for our student-athletes,” said Scott. “With Macon currently undergoing construction for its new facility, we felt this was the right time to make the move. We chose Georgia State because we’ve had tremendous success working with them over the past several years as the host of our basketball semifinal games. We know they will provide a first-class championship experience.”

Scott also expressed appreciation for the partnership with Macon.

“We are grateful for our time in Macon and appreciate the community’s support of the GHSA Basketball State Championships over the years. We look forward to the progress in Macon and reevaluating our future championship plans after the next two seasons.”

Additional information regarding championship schedules, ticketing, and event logistics will be announced by the GHSA at a later date.