Savarese Praises Education-based Activities in Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech

Editor’s Note: Steve Savarese, who directed the Alabama High School Athletic Association for 14 years after a highly successful 33-year football coaching career, was one of the 12 inductees in the 2026 class of the National High School Hall of Fame. Savarese delivered the acceptance speech at the induction ceremony June 29 at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. Following is a reprint of his speech.

“Before I get started, I want to issue a quick warning — or maybe an alert. Yes… this is my real Alabama accent.

My wife Beth told me, ‘Steve, speak slowly and clearly so they can follow you.’ And I said, ‘Honey… this is slow and clear.’

But just in case I drift too far into my Southern accent, the NFHS has a translator standing by — fluent in English, Southern english.

And I know my friends from Mississippi won’t need ’em.”

I am deeply honored — and truly humbled — to stand before you tonight on behalf of the 2026 National High School Hall of Fame class. To be included in this group is overwhelming. To speak for them is intimidating. But I know you agree: this is a remarkable class of individuals. And tonight, we celebrate not only their accomplishments, but the values that shaped them.

As I reflected on what ties this class together, I kept returning to a simple idea:

We are all threads in a much larger fabric — the fabric of education-based athletics and activities.

Each of us represents a different color, a different texture, a different story. But when woven together, we create something strong… lasting… and beautiful.

John Wooden once said, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”

Tonight, we honor the people whose “little details” — their habits, their sacrifices, their character — have made big things happen for young people across this country.

And if any of you are wondering… yes, I did iron my threads before coming tonight. My wife insisted.

THE THREADS OF EXCELLENCE – OUR ATHLETES
The first threads in this fabric are our athletes — the ones who showed us what is possible when God-given talent meets discipline.

Joe Carter, a four-sport star at Millwood High School in Oklahoma City long before he hit one of the most iconic home runs in baseball history. A teammate once said he was “a generational talent whose competitive spirit elevated everyone around him.” Joe’s thread is versatility and joy — the kind of athlete who made everyone around him better.

Alisha Glass Childress, who set national volleyball records at Leland High School in Michigan, won three NCAA titles at Penn State, and became the best setter in the world at the 2016 Olympics. Her thread is precision and leadership — the quiet strength of someone who makes everyone else shine.

Jordan Larson, Nebraska’s pride, a four-time Olympian and Olympic MVP. Her thread is resilience — the ability to rise, again and again, on the biggest stages in the world.

Krissy Wendell Pohl, the greatest girls hockey player in Minnesota history, whose scoring records sparked a statewide surge in girls hockey participation. Her thread is courage — the courage to lead, to inspire, and to open doors for others.

Patrick Willis, from Hollow Rock-Bruceton, Tennessee, who became one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. His thread is grit — the kind of grit that turns adversity into greatness.

Billie Jean King once said, “Champions keep playing until they get it right.”

These five athletes didn’t just get it right — they lifted others with them.

Of course, none of these athletes would be here without coaches — the only people who can say the same thing 400 times and call it motivation.”

THE THREADS OF GUIDANCE – OUR COACHES
The next threads belong to the coaches — the people who shape lives long after the scoreboard is forgotten.

Jan Barker, who built Amarillo High School into a volleyball dynasty with 10 state championships in Texas. Her thread is excellence sustained — the rare ability to build a culture that lasts.

David Gentry, the winningest football coach in North Carolina history. His thread is steadfastness — 426 wins built one relationship, one practice, one young person at a time.

Flo Valdez, who coached multiple sports across New Mexico and Texas. Her thread is devotion — decades of pouring into young people with consistency and love.

Pat Summitt said, “Success is a project that’s always under construction.”

These coaches built their projects brick by brick — with integrity, with purpose, and yes… with a few sleepless nights, a few questionable calls, and a few “discussions” with officials that we now call… character-building moments.

THE THREADS OF INTEGRITY – OUR OFFICIALS
Officials are the threads that hold the fabric together — often unnoticed, always essential.

Burney Jenkins, with 50 years of officiating in Kentucky.

Mary Lou Thimas, with 60 years of service in Massachusetts.

Their threads are fairness and courage — the courage to make the right call, even when it’s not the popular one.

Dean Smith once said, “There is a point in every contest when sitting on the sidelines is not an option.”

Officials never sit on the sidelines. They step in so the game can go on.

And if you’ve ever coached, you know officials also teach patience… humility… and the importance of deep breathing.

THE THREAD OF EXPRESSION – OUR FINE ARTS EDUCATOR
Craig Ihnen, who led the Iowa High School Speech Association for 28 years, represents the thread of voice — the belief that every student deserves to be heard.

He reminds us that performing arts are not extracurricular. They are essential.

And as someone who has sat through many high school plays, I can tell you — they also teach endurance.

THE THREADS THAT SHAPE US
As we celebrate this Hall of Fame class, it becomes clear that none of these accomplishments happened in isolation. Every life represented here tonight has been shaped, strengthened, and guided by the threads others wove into them:

• Parents who loved without condition • Teachers and coaches who believed in young people long before they believed in themselves • Mentors who challenged, corrected, and opened doors • Spouses who carried more than their share so others could serve • Children who shared their mothers and fathers with countless students • Players and students who trusted the adults guiding them • Colleagues who stood shoulder to shoulder through long seasons and long nights

These are the quiet, steady threads woven through every achievement we honor tonight.

Vince Lombardi said, “Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work.”

And that is what we celebrate tonight: the people who poured their lives into others… and the people who poured their lives into them.

THE THREADS THAT HOLD THE FABRIC TOGETHER – OUR STATE ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR ADMINISTRATORS
There is another set of threads we must recognize — the ones often unseen, but absolutely essential.

Our state athletic and activity associations… the administrators who lead them…

Together, they form the backbone of education-based athletics and activities.

These are the people and programs who:

• Provide the athletic and activity programs that give students a place to grow and belong • Write, interpret, and uphold the rules that keep competition fair and educational • Train, support, and develop officials • Ensure safety, equity, and opportunity for every student — in every community • Protect competitive integrity and the values that make high school sports unique • Stand ready when challenges arise, and steady when emotions run high • And through the NFHS Network, bring high school sports and activities to families across America — showcasing our students, our schools, and our states on a national stage.

They are the quiet guardians of education-based athletics. They are the problem-solvers, the peacekeepers, the late-night phone answerers. They are the ones who make sure the fabric never tears.

Their work is rarely spotlighted… but always felt. And our nation’s schools — and our nation’s students — are better because of them.

And tonight, I am humbled to stand here as one of those administrators — a thread woven into that same fabric.

Our work is not on the sidelines or under the lights. Our work is in the programs we build… the policies we steward… the opportunities we protect… and the young people we serve.

Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

If that is true, then the administrators — the state association staffs — the people I am honored to represent — have paid their rent many times over.

CLOSING – THE FABRIC WE CREATE
In closing, the 2026 Hall of Fame class reminds us that:

• Commitment creates opportunity • Opportunity builds respect • Respect fuels passion • Passion inspires service • And service binds us together.

We are all threads in the same fabric — a fabric strong enough to support millions of young people… and beautiful enough to last for generations.

Thank you to the NFHS. Thank you to the state associations. Thank you to our families. And thank you to the young people who allowed us to be part of their lives.

Because every time we connect with a student… our lifetime of experience becomes their experience of a lifetime.

Thank you, and God bless you.