MONTGOMERY- Alvin Briggs has been named the Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association replacing Steve Savarese who retired from the position after 15 years.

The 56-year old Briggs is no stranger to athletics in Alabama as he began playing football at age five in his hometown of Greenville and later had 31 interceptions playing defensive back at Greenville High School. He played in the annual North-South All-Star Football Game where he’s the only player in the game’s history to score a touchdown on offense and defense. He scored on an 80-yard pass play as a receiver and then added a 75-yard pick-six as a defensive back.

Briggs has been on the AHSAA staff since 2011 and becomes the first person selected for executive director from a current AHSAA staff. The last three years he has been in the role of Associate Executive Director and his duties included numerous responsibilities including overseeing football and both outdoor and indoor track and field.

“I am honored, humbled and excited to be selected as the next Executive Director of the AHSAA,” said Briggs. “No doubt I have big shoes to fill. I pray I can continue to lead this organization in the same manner as the great men before me who held this position.”

After high school, Briggs played at Auburn during the 1980’s and was once a teammate of Bo Jackson. He tried his luck at the NFL and actually signed with the Dallas Cowboys, but suffered a knee injury just prior to his first season. In 1993, he joined the coaching staff at North Alabama where he remained through 2001. At UNA, his team played in seven NCAA Division II playoff appearances and won three National Championships and the Lions sported a 41-1 record during one three-season span.

While coaching at North Alabama, Briggs earned both a bachelor and master’s degree in physical education. He chose to return to his hometown in 2001 and was the school’s head football coach for five years. He moved back to Florence, home of UNA, where he was in athletic administration and head football coach at Florence High before taking his position with the AHSAA in 2011.

Briggs is very active in civic organizations and is married to his wife, Roxie, and they have two children.