Birmingham Athletic Partnership

Peter W. Field Family and Ten Corporate Sponsors:
ACIPCO, Alabama Power, First American Bank, Ligon Industries,
Maynard, Cooper & Gale, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Protective Life, Regions Bank, Starnes & Atchison, VIVA Health!
BAP handed out a total of $14,000.00 Scholarships to twelve outstanding seniors!

These outstanding seniors were recognized at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame/FCA Prayer Breakfast on May 31st in front of a crowd of 300 people.

We would like to thank Birmingham Board of Education members Mrs. April Williams, Vice-President and Mrs.

The group photo standing from left to right: Lynne Russell, daughter of Peter W. Field, Mrs. Odessa Ashley, Birmingham Board of Education member, Nolan Edwards, Parker High School, Kristina Roberts, Huffman High School, Stormi Bodie, West-End High School, Akeem Crosskey, Carver High School, Raymond Crenshaw, Ramsay High School, Mrs. April Williams, Birmingham Board of Education Vice-President, Mr. Robert Field, son of Peter W. Field, (seating left to right): Kara Kelley, Huffman High School, Talisa Cummings, West-End High School, Tiea Hill, Woodlawn High School, Jametta Hunter, Hayes High School, Jessica Stanton, Jackson-Olin High School, Amber Jackson, Wenonah High School

BAP partnered with the FCA and held a Volleyball Showcase at Birmingham Southern College, March 19th and 20th. This showcase was organized to help be a resource in getting these girls volleyball scholarships. BAP videotaped them during drills and games and will have the videos edited and sent to colleges across the state. Thanks to Jodi Ferguson and Kyndall Waters, who organized and coached the clinic along with several of the BSC volleyball players-Outstanding Job! Thanks Coach Errol Gooden, Carver High School head volleyball coach and Dr. Sherri Huff, Asst. Athletic Director, Birmingham City Schools for spearheading the work prior to the showcase. Most of all, thanks Joe Dean, BSC Athletic Director and BSC for opening their campus up to these girls and offering them a positive experience during spring break.

The Birmingham Athletic Partnership Leaders of Tomorrow Program went to the Birmingham City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 and were recognized by Mayor Langford and the Birmingham City Council. Each of the nine Birmingham City High Schools had at least one student representative and the mayor requested each of the students to say their name, school, grade and sport or instrument they played. Mayor Langford was very impressed and left the City Council meeting briefly to make a photo with them. Afterwards we had lunch, thanks to Chris Leech-Regions Bank, at Regions Bank's dining area on the twentieth floor downtown.

The BAP Leaders of Tomorrow students attended the UAB Minority Research Center Gala at the Healthsouth Conference Center on Friday evening, September 28th. They were able to meet NBA stars, Shaquille O'Neal, Jamal Wilkes and Charles Barkley, as well as some of Birmingham's elite. They had a wonderful time and all the students looked like Superstars themselves! Here are the names of the nine students that were present: Alexandria Hilliard and Ryan Chatman-Ramsay High School; Akeem Crosskey and Dynasty Simmons -Carver High School;Taneisha Terrell-Wenonah High School; John Sears and Melissa Johnson-Parker High School;Cara Chappell-Woodlawn High School;Raven Washington-Huffman High School.

Congratulations to the Ramsay High School Volleyball Team for winning the 2007 Birmingham City Tournament at Parker High School! BAP helped sponsor the tournament and purchased the T-shirts you see in the photo for all the city teams participating.

The Birmingham Athletic Partnership (BAP) enjoyed assisting in the Football Media Day 2007 at Gardendale First Baptist Church on July 31, 2007. BAP provided lunch for the eight Birmingham City public high school football teams and as you can see in the photo with the Huffman High School football players they enjoyed it as well. BAP wishes to thank Scott Wood and Aleck Witherspoon of Coca-Cola for providing the banner and drinks for the players. Scott and Aleck will be donating product to our BAP Volleyball Media Day as well. Thanks Coca-Cola!

BAP will be hosting the Birmingham City Schools Volleyball Media Day on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame at 11am. Please come join us!

BAP/Birmingham City Schools' Athletic Dept. SportsFest 2007 was a huge success! The SportsFest was held at Birmingham Southern College on April 17th-18th, 2007. Over 200 Birmingham City middle and high schools' students participated in the SportsFest which offered volleyball, boys and girls basketball, football, weight training and speed and conditioning. Thank you, James Jones and Kenny Davis from UAB Sports Medicine for taking time to come and be available during the SportsFest. Click Here for more.

Congratulations to Edgar Welden, BAP Founder and President, for being inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2007!

Birmingham Athletic Partnership is Announcing an Alliance to Give Birmingham City High Schools $1 Million Over Four Years

Click here to read full press release!

Governor Riley visits with BAP All-City Football Selections at the Super 6 High School Football State Championship games at Legion Field. Also, Dan Washburn (far left), the Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association offered his support, as well.

BAP President, Edgar Welden(right) and BAP Executive Director, Mike Vest(left). Mr. Welden was recently appointed by President Bush to the board of directors for the President's Council of Physical Fitness & Sports. Mr. Vest was also recently appointed by Governor Riley to the board of directors for the Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness & Sports. Congratulations on both of these appointments, this will only get BAP's mission out to more of the people.

Congratulations to Alphonzo Ford, senior at Hayes High School! Alphonzo is a recipient of the Bryant-Jordan Student Achievement Scholarship and received a $4,500 scholarship to the college of his choice. BAP Executive Director, Mike Vest and Hayes High School Principal, Vanessa Byrd worked diligently to help Alphonzo receive this outstanding award.