Check out these amazing highlights from the Alabama State Games [PHOTOS]

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Athletes from around the state converged on Legacy Arena on June 7 to officially kick off the 41st Alabama State Games.

From the opening ceremony to 23 total sports across three days, crowds gathered at 16 different venues around the Birmingham area (+1 in Huntsville) to watch over 3,000 athletes compete.

Read on for more, like a Q&A with the 2023 Athletes of the Year and how to get involved in next year’s games.

2024 Opening Ceremony

When arriving at Legacy Arena on Friday, June 7, you quickly could hear the roars coming from the hallways under the stands as athletes lined up ready to parade on to the floor.

You could hear the excitement from those athletes as chants of A-L-A continuously broke out while they patiently awaited their time in the spotlight. The excitement continued to build with help of some popular mascots including:

• Aubie the Tiger (Auburn)
• Big Al (Alabama)
• Cocky (Jacksonville State)
• Homer (Miracle League)
• Stanley the Stallion (Birmingham Stallions)
• Vulcan
• Wally the Lion (Wallace State)

Just after 7PM, those athletes poured onto the floor of the arena, holding banners and waving American flags while parading around in front of their families, fans and peers. 

The Miracle League athletes not only got to be a part of the parade but led the way, following just behind 3-time Paralympic medalist and Alabama native Maze Marshall. That set the tone for the rest of the night as the ceremony honed in on one theme: Unity.

Together, athletes recited the oath and six pillars of the Alabama State Games including:

• Caring
• Citizenship
• Fairness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Trustworthiness

At the end of the Opening Ceremony, ASG awarded $30,000 worth of scholarships to athletes through a random drawing. Scholarships were also given earlier in the day during the State Farm Athlete Leadership Summit.

2023 Athletes of the Year

One of the most anticipated events of any opening ceremony is the torch lighting.

ASG turned to its four Athletes of the Year from 2023 to lead the process:

• Carlos Matthews of Huntsville
• Jasmine Williams of Montgomery
• Jordyn Hill of Ft. Novosel
• Mitch Conroy of Anniston

These athletes helped each other carry the torch around the floor at Legacy Arena before approaching the stage. They lifted the torch while the band POPulus from Troy University played the song “Rise Up” + sparks flew from the large sconce behind the stage. 

“That was a really special moment, something that I will always cherish and can always look back on. My kids can say ‘Mommy did that.’”

~ Jasmine Williams, 2023 ASG Female Athlete of the Year

Athletes agreed the evening of Friday, June 7 marked their best memory during the State Games experience.

You can nominate an athlete for the 2024 Athlete of the Year on the Alabama State Games website.

For athletes of all ages

The Alabama State Games provide opportunities for people of all ages to get out and play the sport they love

“It makes it so special when I get to share this joy with so many different athletes of all ages, from 5 to 85. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

~ Jasmine Williams, 2023 ASG Female Athlete of the Yea

No matter the ages or skill level of the athletes, everyone benefits from participating in the Games.

“It’s basically exercise for life. No matter what your age is, it gives you an opportunity to go out, have fun and compete. It lets you do the things you love while keeping in good shape.”

~ Carlos Matthews, 2023 ASG Male Athlete of the Year

Creating a sense of community

A few popular sports drew big crowds, including:

• Soccer
• Tennis
• Powerlifting

Dowda Powell of Birmingham set a new personal record on a deadlift, surpassing a 300-pound goal. Their reaction said it all, leaping into the air when they turned to see the final result. And while that mark was important to them, it was also about who they got to share the moment with.

“My parents are from West Palm Beach, Florida. They drove 13 hours to get here… As a 29-year-old lifter, you’re not in high school when your parents always come to your games, it means a lot, almost more as an adult, to have my parents still support me.”

~ Dowda Powell, Athlete, Alabama State Games

Whether they have competed against each other before or they were complete strangers, athletes could be seen encouraging each other both at the platform and behind the curtain. 

“In powerlifting, a lot of us are helping each other warm up, we’re making friends. I specifically seek out other lifters in my weight class, in my session. I want to cheer them on, I want to get their names.”

~ Dowda Powell

Complete results

Something I noticed during the ASG was how competitive the athletes were.

Check out a complete list of results from each sport on the Alabama State Games website.

Keep up with what’s happening at the 2024 Alabama State Games—visit their website and follow them on Facebook + Instagram.

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