Steve Savarese, executive director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), will lead the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) starting next year.
A Monday release announced that Savarese was elected by the NFHS board of directors to the position of president-elect for the term spanning July 2, 2020 — July 2021. Savarese’s one-year term as president will begin in July, 2021.
Savarese became executive director of the AHSAA in July 2007, after serving as a teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator in the states of Kansas and Alabama for more than 40 years. He is the fourth full-time executive director in AHSAA history.
Now in in his 14th year in that role, Savarese has emphasized health, safety and sportsmanship throughout his tenure. He developed – through the AHSAA Central Board – a revenue-sharing program that has returned more than $17 million to member schools since its implementation in 2010.
After moving to Alabama, Savarese subsequently served as head coach and athletic director of Birmingham Ensley (three years), Alexander City Benjamin Russell (12 years), Daphne (seven years) and McGill-Toolen (three years). He was even selected as an NFL High School Coach of the Year finalist in 1996-97.
In addition to his service on the NFHS board of directors, Savarese has served on numerous NFHS committees and is currently the chair of the NFHS Network board of directors. He has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
