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ABOUT

The Alabama State Games started in 1982 at the request of the United States Olympic Committee (now the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee). The Inaugural Alabama State Games took place in Auburn, Alabama in 1983 featuring 600 athletes competing in four different sports. The Games now host thousands of athletes annually with 20+ sports featuring both team and individual competitions, making it Alabama’s largest annual multi-sport event for athletes of all ages and abilities. The Alabama State Games program has grown significantly under the umbrella of the ASF Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, committed to supporting the Alabama State Games and other programs that serve as a statewide mentor organization for teaching our youth the importance of academics, athletics, healthy lifestyles and good citizenship.  

 

The Alabama State Games is part of a nationwide network of state games with a national organization called the National Congress of State Games (NCSG). These programs began in the early 1980s -- with Alabama being one of the first programs started -- as part of a grass roots effort to get more athletes involved and aware of olympic sports and to encourage them to possibly pursue participating in the Olympic Games. The NCSG is a membership organization comprised of 30+ Summer State Games and 10 Winter State Games organizations and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee's Multi-Sport Organizational Council.  The mission of the NCSG is to support State Games member organizations in the promotion of health, fitness, and character building through multi-sport competitions and physical activities. The NCSG was created in 1986, to serve as the official association of the State Games Organizations.  The state games programs provide a motivational goal for all athletes within the state in which they are organized. Recreational and competitive events alike are offered in most states, so whether participants compete for the fun of it, or as the first step to their ultimate dream, there's something for everybody in the State Games. 

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Read on to see how to volunteer and/or support The Alabama State Games and ancillary programs such as: The Academic Scholarship Initiative, Adopt-An-Athlete, Athlete of the Year, and Honoring Our Heroes.  

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Programs

PROGRAMS

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For close to three decades we have annually awarded academic scholarships through the different ASF Foundation programs. Overall, $469,000 has been awarded across 660 scholarships. In 2025, the 42nd Alabama State Games, 34 athletes were awarded scholarships totaling $42,000.

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We take pride in supporting academics and we will always invest in our future, the youth of Alabama! Scholarships are awarded during the Opening Ceremony events - a portion is awarded during the State Farm Athlete Leadership Summit and the remainder is awarded at the conclusion of Opening Ceremony. 

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To be eligible, athletes of all ages, must first register to compete in that year's Alabama State Games and then attend Opening Ceremony. 

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The Alabama State Games offers amateur athletes of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete.  It is our desire that all Alabamians that want to participate have no barrier to being able to compete, especially in the host cities.  The ASF Foundation recognizes that costs may be a harder hurdle for some participants. 

 

We would like to offer an opportunity for low-income youth to join us at the Alabama State Games and give all who desire the experience of an Olympic moment.  You can help by donating to our Adopt an Athlete Program.  Our goal for 2026 is $5,000.00 which could cover the registration cost for approximately 150 athletes.  All donors of the Adopt-an-Athlete Program will be recognized at our Opening Ceremony.

Each year, the Alabama State Games honors athletes based on participation in the Games and other athletic and community achievements. The Athlete of the Year program, affectionately dubbed "AOTY" by those in the know, was established to recognize individuals who excel above and beyond their athletic participation in the Games. Four athletes are chosen to fill the categories of: ​

  • Female Athlete 19 & older

  • Male Athlete 19 & older

  • Female Athlete 18 & younger

  • Male Athlete 18 & younger

Individuals are chosen based on overall achievements, involvement in the Games, involvement in their community, effort, sportsmanship, overcoming adversity and attitude on and off the field. Nominations can be submitted by coaches, commissioners, tournament directors, parents, volunteers, and even other players. 

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*2025 AOTY nominations are now closed.*

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The ASF Foundation's Honoring Our Heroes program is part of its commitment to teach Alabama student-athletes good citizenship by highlighting the sacrifices made by others to keep our community, state, and country a free and safe society, along with mentoring programs dedicated to positively impacting Alabama's youth. 

 

Since the program’s inception in the year 2000, the ASF Foundation has honored various Heroes such as Korean War Veterans,  New York City Firefighters after 9/11, Alabama Law Enforcement, Alabama Firefighters and EMS Personnel, Alabama Teachers and education support professionals, Alabama Wounded Warriors, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Alabama, and local First Responders from the State Games Host cities and counties. During the 42nd Alabama State Games (2025), another group was added to the collective: Fathers. The 2025 Alabama State Games fell on Father's Day Weekend, giving athletes of all ages an opportunity to celebrate and recognize their first coaches and their biggest cheerleaders - DADS!

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In 2026 another group of community heroes will be joining the ever-growing list. Stay tuned for more information.

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Do you LOVE sports? Do you have a passion for organization? We can use your expertise for The Games! 

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Volunteers are the backbone to the success of the Alabama State Games. Be a part of that success by giving of your time and energy to the efforts that support our Games. 

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We are always looking for helping hands for event set-up and break down. 

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Click here to sign up to Volunteer at one of our sporting events or help us herald in the Games at our Opening Ceremony!

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