Bayshore Christian joining AHSAA

Tony Whitehead, GCM Sports
Posted 12/19/17

Bayshore Christian School will be joining the Alabama High School Athletic Association June 1, 2018 after their final spring season in the Panhandle Christian Conference

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Bayshore Christian joining AHSAA

Posted

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Bayshore Christian School will be joining the Alabama High School Athletic Association June 1, 2018 after their final spring season in the Panhandle Christian Conference. Bayshore Athletic Director Jeff Hauge announced the move to the AHSAA system after receiving confirmation.
“The positives are many,” Hauge said. “This will allow us to compete against more local schools and cut down on the amount of travel required right now. It will also open up opportunities to play our Eastern Shore neighbors like St. Michael’s and Bayside that aren’t too much bigger than us. And we hope that can develop into friendly, community rivalries one day.”

Hauge , who also coaches varsity baseball, said the AHSAA board’s approval was unanimous and he was excited to let the rest of the school and parents know as soon as he got the call. Like all new members, the program will participate under an associate status for two years. Based on enrollment size, Bayshore's will be in the AHSAA’s 1A Classification.
Likely league (Area or Region) opponents could be Fruitdale, McIntosh and possibly St. Luke’s, which is dropping from 2A to 1A as well as J.F. Shields in Monroe County. But the final area/region schedules will be determined after the next AHSAA reclassification. Hauge also said the eventual opportunities to compete for area, region or state championships one day add to the appeal of joining the AHSAA.


“We won't have the opportunity to participate in championship play for the next two years (during associate status), but we want our kids to be able to work for the thrills of making the playoffs and beyond one day. ‘Going to state,’ is one of those expressions that just evokes excitement on a campus and in a community.”
He added that support for the decision was strong.

“Every one of our coaches are in support of this move and are very excited about it. Looking to the future we hope to compete for the chance to be a state champion at some point with all the excitement that could bring.

“Of course we have had no complaints about the Panhandle Christian Conference,” he said. “We have enjoyed our experience and in no way is this a negative comment on the conference. We have especially enjoyed our nice rivalry with Central Christian in Robertsdale. It would not have been as pleasant as it was without having Central be so close.”
He also mentioned how important the dedication of his coaching staff was to the decision.

“I have to brag on my coaches for helping make Bayshore Christian School what it is and what it can become. We have been truly blessed with individuals who are truly committed to and devoted to helping our student athletes achieve their goals, including classroom goals.

“They really bring impressive knowledge and skill sets to the table. And they work so hard to help our kids succeed. And that makes my job, not just easier, but more fun and rewarding. They also have a genuine heart of servant-hood that, as Christian educators, we want to instill in all our children as well.

“They also stay on top of their sport and how to help us improve and stay competitive,” he added. “Also, I want to thank the Bayshore Christian School board and Dr. Pam McKee for their support of this very big decision. I really believe it is one we will be glad we made.”

Ground floors and new foundations are not new to Hauge he was on the first-ever baseball team at Daphne High when it opened in 1989. He said initially he had some qualms about such an important institutional change, but the genesis of the idea was sparked by a chance conversation with friend and former coaching colleague Chad Harrelson, now head soccer coach at St. Paul’s Episcopal School.

“We had some of our younger students, fourth-fifth graders involved in a youth soccer league in Mobile,” Hauge said. “After one match over there, I got a call from Chad who — always the soccer fan — had happened to see our kids play. At first he just wanted to comment on how well our kids were playing for that level. Then he asked if we had ever thought about joining (the AHSAA) and how much he believed it really benefitted middle schoolers who hope to play varsity sports one day.”

After also calling several AHSAA coaches in different sports around the state to gauge their opinions, Hauge heard nothing but encouragement.
“Everyone I talked to said we would not regret the move. And that, along with my own impressions of how our kids show that drive to compete really gave me the confidence to pursue it.”

The Bayshore Eagles have varsity teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, softball, soccer and volleyball. Hauge said there are no plans to start a football program soon but expects BSC to participate in bowling, golf, swimming and tennis in the near future.