Mission Statement
Our Mission The purpose of the North Alabama High School Swim League is to provide swim meets during the designated high school swim season for the member high schools of the League.
- Encouraging Participation: We encourage participation from all interested high schools equally, regardless of team size or strength.
- Efficient Competition: NAHSSL provides swim meets of various formats (especially dual, double-dual, and 3-way meets) run in a concise 2-3 hour time period.
- Access for All: We allow all schools to participate with or without a home pool.
The League is controlled by the member Swim Coaches and Athletic Directors and strictly follows all AHSAA rules & regulations.
League History
The following is a summarization of the information provided by Glenn Carr, Founder of NAHSSL.
The Need for a League
Prior to the formation of a high school swim league, there were very few dual swim meets in the Madison County area. High schools had quality swimmers, but no real team unity until the State Meet. Without quality coaching, leadership, or meets, schools like Buckhorn and Hazel Green were losing 50% of their swimmers within a month. I wanted to stop this exit of swimmers by starting a program where all teams—large or small—could compete.
The Early Days
In August 2008, I visited local practices and saw swimmer numbers drop from 30 to 15 simply because there were "no swim meets until mid-November." After discussing the idea with Jenny Barrett (Buckhorn) and Marvin Chou (Randolph), we set a plan in motion. Marvin handled the State level approval and red-tape reduction, while I handled the legwork of recruiting teams.
Securing Pools & Teams
We secured our first venues at the Richard Showers Pool (Huntsville) and Alabama A&M, allowing Madison County schools a place to practice and compete. In late November, I approached coaches at the North Alabama High School Swim Invitational, promising smaller, 2-hour meets compared to the usual 5-hour marathons.
The League is Born
In mid-March 2009, representatives from seven schools met at my home. By the 2009 season, NAHSSL was born with 14 charter members, including Buckhorn, Hazel Green, Sparkman, Madison County, Randolph, Westminster, Catholic, Huntsville, Grissom, Lee, Butler, Bob Jones, Florence, and Gadsden High Schools.
Growth & Legacy
A Board of parents was formed to lead the league into the 2010 season, adding Scottsboro, Cullman, and Hartselle. The league is now home to an average of 20 teams and hundreds of swimmers across North Alabama each year. My hope is that this League will still be available one day for all those 4-year-olds learning to swim today.