Welcoming our new teachers
A great addition to Greenfield High
October Newsletter
October is an exciting time for GHSA schools. Flag football is underway, and state playoffs and championships in volleyball and softball begin this month. I look forward to celebrating the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, and schools throughout these competitions.
I am also pleased to share that the GHSA has partnered with the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP), the Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA), and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) to develop a sportsmanship program for fall 2027. 2Words Character Development is working with the GHSA and our member schools to put the program together. Participation will not be mandated, but we are asking every school to take part. Sportsmanship is a responsibility we all share, and this program will give schools another way to teach and reinforce it.
We also look forward to our State Executive Committee meeting on October 5, 2026.
We are wishing all of our team a great playoff season as we begin playoffs in our sports. Thank you for all you do to support education-based athletics and the young people we serve.
Dr. Tim Scott
Executive Director
Georgia High School Association
Last month, we celebrated the first of our THREE "GHSA Officials Appreciation Weeks" but you can never give enough thanks to our officials. Just a heads up on our upcoming dates:
- WINTER | January 25-30, 2027
Basketball • Wrestling • Swimming • Esports • Bass Fishing • Dance • Literary - SPRING | April 19-24, 2027
Baseball • Soccer • Lacrosse • SP Softball • Track & Field • Gymnastics
Dalton HS
Northwest Whitfield HS
Howard HS
Midtown HS
Hardaway HS
Cairo HS
Salem HS
Spencer HS
Upson-Lee HS
Former GHSA Executive Director, Dr. Ralph Swearingin
Former GHSA Executive DIrector, Dr. Robin Hines
GHSA Executive Director, Dr. Tim Scott
Celebrating the 2026 AAASP ASPIRE Awards!
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners honored Sunday, Sept. 27, during the 2026 AAASP ASPIRE Awards in Locust Grove. It was a beautiful evening celebrating adapted sports and the incredible student-athletes, coaches and advocates who continue to make an impact. A special congratulations to GHSA Associate Director Tanya Anderson, recipient of the Eli Wolff Advocacy Award, recognizing her support and advocacy for adapted student-athletes in track and field. A special thank you also goes to GHSA Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott, retired executive directors Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Dr. Robin Hines, and GHSA Media Relations Director Marvin James for serving as presenters during the ASPIRE Awards ceremony. Congratulations again to all of the 2026 honorees! The complete list of this year’s ASPIRE Award winners is attached.
#GHSA #AAASP #ASPIREAwards #AdaptedSports #StudentAthletes #GeorgiaHighSchoolSports
SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE PICS: https://www.henryherald.com/sports/photos-2026-aspire-awards-at-locust-grove-event-center/collection_b89cb5f6-e027-402c-90ca-cb45a6c910f5.html#1
The Dairy Alliance is bringing Milk’s Got Game back to high school athletics, helping student athletes across Georgia learn about the benefits of fueling with real dairy throughout the sports season, including the role it plays in hydration, recovery, and nutrition.
The campaign will reach athletes, coaches and families throughout the fall, winter and spring sports seasons, offering practical performance nutrition education centered on the role dairy can play in an active lifestyle. Through Milk’s Got Game, The Dairy Alliance will highlight milk’s natural electrolytes for hydration, complete protein to support muscle recovery and essential nutrients that help support strong bones and sustained energy.
The Dairy Alliance is partnering with the Georgia High School Association to bring Milk’s Got Game directly into high school sports communities. Throughout the school year, the partnerships will feature digital performance nutrition programming, championship materials, on-site activations and other opportunities for student athletes to learn about fueling and recovery.
At select state championship events, The Dairy Alliance will host on-site activations and provide chocolate milk to participating teams following competitions. The recovery-focused experience will give student athletes an opportunity to refuel while bringing the benefits of real dairy to some of the biggest moments of their athletic journey. These efforts reinforce milk’s naturally occurring electrolytes for hydration and complete protein for muscle recovery, key components of an athlete’s post-game recovery routine.
This year, The Dairy Alliance will also bring dairy farmers into the championship celebrations. Local dairy farmers will present chocolate milk for the teams to strengthen the bond between farm families and the communities they serve. This partnership highlights the real nutritional value of the milk they produce and celebrates the role of real dairy in fueling student-athlete performance.
We encourage everyone to kick off the high school athletic season with a chocolate milk toast on September 27, National Chocolate Milk Day - a day for athletes, families, and fans across Georgia to enjoy chocolate milk and celebrate the goodness of real dairy. It’s a simple reminder of chocolate milk’s role as a familiar favorite with nutritional benefits, including complete protein and naturally occurring electrolytes, that support hydration and recovery for active lifestyles.
From the start of the season through championship celebrations, Milk’s Got Game will continue to bring performance focused dairy nutrition to high school athletics across Georgia, helping athletes make informed nutrition choices while celebrating the people and communities behind the game.
To learn more about The Dairy Alliance, visit thedairyalliance.com or @TheDairyAlliance on Facebook or Instagram.
About The Dairy Alliance
The Dairy Alliance is a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families of the Southeast. We work diligently with dairy farmers, schools, sports teams, health professionals, local organizations, state leaders, the media, and the public to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry. Our efforts center in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedairyalliance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedairyalliance/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedairyalliance/
GHSA Member Schools,
Following Coach Stephen Mackey’s presentation to the GHSA Executive Committee Monday in Macon, we are sharing an opportunity for schools interested in participating in The Champions Standard Pilot Program.
This voluntary pilot will provide participating schools with access to leadership, character and sportsmanship resources at no cost, while also allowing schools to provide feedback that will help shape the program for implementation in Georgia.
Please see the attached letter for additional information and the accompanying flyer to scan the QR code if your school is interested in participating.
Participation is completely voluntary.
Thank you for your continued commitment to sportsmanship and the positive development of Georgia’s student-athletes.
The GHSA has strengthened its credentialing standards for championship-level events due to repeated fraudulent media representation during state finals, unprofessional conduct and violations of ethical standards.
GHSA championship media credentials are reserved for working media representing established professional news and sports outlets. Independent content creators, social-media influencers, fan pages and individuals covering events primarily for personal social-media platforms are not eligible.
Previous approval for a GHSA championship credential does not guarantee future approval. All applications will be evaluated under current credentialing standards.
Limited exceptions may be considered for personnel officially affiliated with a GHSA member school. School administration must verify the individual's official role and purpose for covering the event. Verification does not guarantee credential approval; final approval remains at the discretion of the GHSA.
These standards are designed to protect student-athletes, maintain a professional working environment and ensure appropriate media access at GHSA championship events. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.
Questions regarding media credentials should be directed to Marvin James, Director of Media Relations, at marvin.james@ghsa.net.
