Smiths Station athletes sign college scholarships
Pictured left to right are Lydee Davis, Southern Union State Community College; Ben Halverstadt, Southern Union State Community College; Ben Holland, Jefferson State Community College; Nolan Patten, Jefferson State Community College; Madison Strength, Snead State Community College; Summer Crunk, Enterprise Community College; Jenni Goins, University of Mobile; and Madison Gary, Reid State Technical College. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Four OHS seniors ink football scholarships
Four Opelika High School Bulldogs have signed scholarships to play college football.
From left, E’Mauri Smiley will play for the University of South Alabama. Malik Autry will play for Auburn University. Jamari Miller and Tyler Moore will play for Georgia State University. PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER
Community colleges add flag football to athletics offerings
CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) announced the addition of women’s flag football to its athletics offerings on Tuesday.
“This is up there with one of the most exciting program additions we’ve had over the past decade. It a good day when we create more opportunities for our female student-athletes,” said ACCC Commissioner Dean Myrick. “Flag football has exploded across the state at the high-school level, and we want to capitalize on that. It’s a discussion we’ve had for a few years, and I’m proud it’s come to fruition.”
Women’s flag football is among the newest athletics offerings sanctioned by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and the ACCC will offer the sport to female student-athletes, beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.
Tuesday’s announcement was conducted at the Cramton Bowl with participating college officials in attendance, including presidents, deans and athletic directors.
Representatives from NFL FLAG, Alabama Recreation and Parks Association and the Alabama Association of Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D) program were also present.
Izell Reese, a Dothan native and Executive Director of NFL FLAG, commended the ACCC for creating an extra avenue for female athletes to potentially advance in the sport.
“Women’s flag football is the fastest growing sport in the United States and arguably ever. It is skyrocketing,” said Reese, an NFL veteran of seven years, who has served as executive director since 2019. “At one time, females didn’t have a path to continue to play flag football beyond high school. It’s phenomenal to now hear of the opportunities that are going to come at the community college level. I can tell you the four-year colleges are thrilled about the opportunity you’ll provide.”
Northwest Shoals President Dr. Jeff Goodwin was instrumental in implementing girls flag football in 2021 at Oxford High School and is now excited about the opportunity for his college and the conference.
“It’s certainly something we have been looking forward to at the community college level, and we’re committed to it. Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Chancellor Jimmy Baker and the Board of Trustees do their best to support and provide the best opportunities for our students, including with extracurricular activities,” Goodwin said.
RC&D, an ACCS partner, is donating $50,000 to assist with the flag football launch.
“This initiative promotes inclusion, empowers women in sports and creates new opportunities for community college student-athletes,” said RC&D Executive Director Katie Conner. “We are so proud we can be a part of this – something new and exciting for our state.”
Once competition begins, the ACCC will feature the largest flag football conference in the NJCAA.
