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AHSAA adopts new rule to accommodate religious requests from sports teams

The rule comes after the Oakwood Adventist Academy boys basketball team had to forfeit a game because they would not play on their Sabbath.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Alabama High School Athletic Association (ASHAA) has added a new rule to accommodate religious requests. The rule comes after the Oakwood Adventist Academy boys basketball team either had to play on their Sabbath or forfeit their regional semi-final game. The team chose to forfeit. Until now, AHSAA has not had a rule to protect teams from situations like this that would force them to choose between their faith and their event.

Governor Ivey was pleased to learn the team’s goal has now been achieved. One of the team's hopes was that this would never happen again to any athlete.

 “Today’s vote by the Alabama High School Athletic Association is absolutely a win for religious liberty, and no doubt, is a testament to the Oakwood boys and their convictions. I hope that Alabamians – young and old – can look to these boys as an example. They stood strong in their faith and showed that good can come from a difficult situation. Here in Alabama, we will always stand up for religious freedom, and this rule change is certainly doing just that," said Governor Ivey in a statement.

RELATED: AHSAA responds to Gov. Kay Ivey on Oakwood Academy Boys Basketball

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Shortly after the incident, Ivey met with the Oakwood Adventist Academy team and coaches after the forfeited game and wrote a letter to AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs to get the facts on the situation.  

The AHSAA responded to Governor Kay Ivey's questions about Oakwood Academy's forfeit of their regional semi-final game. The Oakwood Academy Boys Basketball Team forfeited after the AHSAA did not allow a change in game time that would have allowed the team to play without breaking their Sabbath.

Governor Ivey letter to ASHAA:

In the response,  Alvin Briggs, Executive Director of the AHSAA, responded to Governor Ivy's email about denying the Mustangs request to change time for the regional semi final basketball game. According to Coach Briggs, when Oakwood joined the association, they agreed to follow all the rules of the Alabama High School Athletic Association and agreed to participate in all playoff games without petition, or forfeit. 

Briggs continued to say that the answer did not violate any Association rules. He cited that the Association was simply standing with the agreement made between themselves and Oakwood Academy.  

Governor Ivey's letter to Oakwood Adventist Academy:

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