Executive assistant Cindy Polinsky and board member Janis Clements greet Tip-Off members at registration.

 

 

 

 

The Alabama Basketball Foundation, a partnership between the Birmingham Tip-Off Club and the Alabama High School Athletic Association, celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the State Finals Basketball Tournament in 2008, and in February 2009 the Birmingham Tip-Off Club continued our partnership with the AHSAA by serving as the volunteer force for the Tournament, now under management by the Bruno Event Team and known as "The Final 48," with a statewide television broadcast anchored by CBS42 in Birmingham and presented by Jack's.

The Tournament's "final four" format was introduced in 1994, with 48 boys' and girls' teams competing at one site, the BJCC. The Tournament has achieved great success.  Literally thousands of players, with their coaches and fans, from schools small and large, have benefited from this outstanding Tournament.

The Birmingham Tip-Off Club has met its goals in partnering with the AHSAA by increasing the exposure of, and interest in, high school basketball through a quality championship environment.  The Tournament also has produced tangible benefits for the AHSAA, the participating high schools and the community.  The Alabama Basketball Foundation has paid, directly or indirectly, more than $3.3 million to the AHSAA and participating schools since 1994.  The Alabama Basketball Foundation has also distributed $107,790 to the Birmingham Tip-Off Club's charitable Foundation and $93,250 to the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Fund.
                                                                                                                                                                   
Our club members and volunteers are justly proud of our association with the AHSAA and The Tournament and its role in providing much-deserved exposure to high school basketball.  Our 16th Anniversary was the best tournament yet, and we look forward to serving the student-athletes of Alabama through this tournament for many years to come.