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(Photo of Kenya McWhirter; credit to Dennis Victory – AL.com)
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(Photo courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser)
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association is saddened to learn of the death of long-time Trinity Presbyterian High School coach Jack Schweers, 74, who passed away Monday, August 27, after an extended illness.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said. “Jack Schweers had a tremendous positive impact on the lives of the many students he taught and was considered an icon in the community he served.
Schweers coached boys’ basketball and boys’ tennis for 24 years at Trinity. Schweers retired in the spring but not before leading the boys’ basketball team to a state title in 1999 and the tennis team to four state titles. He is survived by his wife, Teri, their two children and one grandson.
A “Celebration of Life” memorial service for Mr. Schweers will be Thursday, August 30, at 2 p.m., at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Frazer.
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association is saddened to learn of the death of AHSAA Hall of Fame Coach John L. Meadows. Mr. Meadows, 94, passed away earlier this week after a long illness.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said. “John Meadows’ impact on the lives of the many students he taught and was considered an icon in the communities he served.”
Meadows compiled a 276-79-9 career coaching record over 35 years from 1955-89 and was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. He coached football at Hanceville, Gordo, Butler, Scottsboro and Lincoln County (TN) during his long tenure as a teacher/coach compiling a career. Coach Meadows led Scottsboro to a 10-0 record in 1965, a team that was declared Class 3A state champs that year. His 1982 Lincoln County team was 13-1 and won the Tennessee AAA state title. The stadium at Lincoln County was named for him and his successor Louis Thompson. The fieldhouse at Scottsboro High School was also named for him and Coach Larry Morris.
In addition to the AHSAA HOF honor, he was also enshrined into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame (1989 inaugural class), Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 1993), Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2004), Jackson County Sports Hall of Fame (2014 inaugural class), Pickens County Athletic Hall of Fame (Class of 1995) and Jacksonville State Hall of Fame (Class of 1986).
Meadows graduated from Falkville High School in 1942 as the valedictorian, then served in World War II before returning home to enroll at Jacksonville State where he earned Little All-America honors as a wide receiver in 1951. He was selected to the JSU All-Time Team in 1983,
His funeral is set for Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church in Scottsboro. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the memorial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the Samaritans Purse or St. Jude’s.
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From left: AHSDACA Director Jamie Lee; Bob Jones swimming coach Wade Thaxton; AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese; Montgomery Catholic senior four-time state cross country champion Amaris Tyynismaa; Catholic cross country coach Ed Wright; Goshen volleyball coach Amy Warrick; Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange; and AHSAA Associate Director Alvin Briggs. (AHSAA Photo)
From left: (Front row) AHSDACA Director Jamie Lee, AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese, Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange and AHSAA Associate Director Alvin Briggs.
(Second row) Thompson Coach Mark Freeman, James Clemens Coach Wade Waldrop, Clarke County Coach Stacy Luker and Sweet Water Coach Pat Thompson. (AHSAA Photo)
By Lucas Nunn, Special for AHSAA
VESTAVIA HILLS – From the volleyball court to the international mission field, Hannah Vines’ extracurricular life is nothing short of exciting.
Hannah is a rising senior at Vestavia Hills High School and has played on the varsity volleyball team since her sophomore year. She is also a member of the 2018 Alabama High School Athletic Association Student Leadership Group, one of two members chosen to represent the state at a national conference in Indianapolis this month.
On the court, Hannah has had success both in school and club volleyball. Vestavia Hills reached the super regionals last season, and just last month her club team – Southern Performance Volleyball Club – placed second at the national tournament.
While her athletic achievements are impressive, it is Hannah’s desire to serve her community that sets her apart from the rest.
The 17-year-old is one of thousands of AHSAA athletes who give of themselves to their communities during their summer break, as well as spending many hours the rest of the year as they juggle sports, homework, family and volunteer time.
Hannah has been an active member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills since she was 5 years old, and the church is her favorite place to serve the community. “I really like to work with kids through my church,” she said.
Her service for others also goes well beyond the walls of the church. This past spring, Hannah spent her school break on a mission trip to Guatemala. She worked with children there and assisted in putting on a Bible School for them.
“The trip was amazing. Spanish is one of my passions, I have been taking Spanish since I was in the seventh grade, so going down there was great,” Vines said. “It was just another way to connect with the kids and hear about their lives talking about the differences in culture between the U.S. and Guatemala.”
In March, Hannah was one of 18 student-athletes from around Alabama selected for membership in the AHSAA Student Leadership Conference, and she was thrilled to learn she and Bayside Academy’s Sam Koby were chosen to represent the state at the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis. The NFHS Summit wrapped up this week.
“I was really excited when I heard about it,” Vines said. “The goal is to come back and be better leaders on our teams and in our communities.”
Upon graduation, Hannah plans to continue serving her community through her church, as she continues her volleyball career at Samford University.
Last year, Hannah was also featured in the AHSAA #MoreThanAGame social media campaign. Watch her video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3fayZMkAkY
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The Alabama High School Athletic Association, founded in 1921, is a private agency organized by its member schools to control and promote their athletic programs. The purpose of the AHSAA is to regulate, coordinate and promote the interscholastic athletic programs among its member schools, which include public, private and parochial institutions.
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Jack Hayes – Brilliant HS, Jim Bob Striplin – Geneva County, Clem Richardson – Baker HS, Pam Robinson – Benjamin Russell HS, Stanley Johnson – Lawrence County HS, Anthony McCall’s Children – Montgomery Academy, Frances Dunn – Greensboro HS
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Keaton Wilson of Sylacauga HS and Davede Herron of Benjamin Russell HS
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Breylee Linder – Florence HS and Kenya McQuirter – McGill-Toolen
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Boys – Malik Tyson, Sparkman (North MVP); Opelika Coach Devin Booth, AHSADCA Officer; Jaykwon Walton, Carver-Montgomery (South MVP)
Photo by alabamahs.photo
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Annie Hughes, Pisgah (North MVP); Opelika Coach Devin Booth, AHSADSA officer; River Baldwin, Pleasant Home (South MVP)
Photo by alabamahs.photo
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Amaris Tyynismaa – Montgomery Catholic
Anna Littleton – Mountain Brook HS
Hunter Harwell – Mountain Brook HS
Gabriel Hennenberger – Enterprise HS
Photo by alabamahs.photo
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Emery Mills – Madison Academy
Adriana Wright – Northview HS
Price Leonard – Westminster-Oak Mountain
Joseph Quinn – Spanish Fort
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Emma Latham – Hatton HS and Blake Gibson – Rehobeth HS
Photo by alabamahs.photo
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Mason McCormack – Deshler HS
Jake Holifield – St. Paul’s
Photos by alabamahs.photo
