The ASF Foundation (Alabama Sports Festival Foundation), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1982 at the request of the United States Olympic Committee. In addition to developing the Alabama State Games, an Olympic-style State Games for Alabama's youth showcasing the tradition and ceremony of the International Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the ASF Foundation serves as a statewide
mentor organization for teaching our youth the importance of academics, healthy lifestyles and good citizenship. We believe in 4 focus areas in all our programming: Academics, Athletics, Health, & Good Citizenship. Using sports as a vehicle, the ASF Foundation stresses positive life-style choices; good education, the importance of family, church, school, and community. As a value-oriented and volunteer driven organization, the ASF Foundation's primary focus is: Reaching the Leaders of Tomorrow...Today, by Teaching the Importance of Academics and Good Citizenship through positive Mentoring! The Inaugural State Games competition in 1983 was held in Auburn, Alabama and featured 600 athletes competing in four different sports. In 2012, ASF Foundation's 30th Anniversary State Games showcased more than 6,000 athletes competing in 25 different sports and over 100 sporting events, making in the state's largest annual amateur multi-sport athletic event. The event takes place each June.....visit www.alagames.com to "Get In The Games!"
In 2010, the ASF Foundation, in conjunction with the Alabama State Department of Education, Alabama State University, and the Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness, developed the Wee Can Fight Obesity program, which is administered by the ASF Foundation. This program provides a unique electronic, animated exercise program in PE classes to promote health, physical activity, and educational awareness. Its primary objective is to instill healthy lifestyle habits that will hopefully last a lifetime, significantly reduce obesity risk factors and enhance interest in personal health, movement related activities and sports. We currently have 158 schools participating in the program, with additional schools beginning in the spring of 2013. Principals and PE teachers alike are realizing tremendous benefits from this fun program which also enhances their efforts to emphasize the need for physical fitness in school and to join in the fight to reduce obesity in Alabama, particularly childhood obesity. The Alabama Student Ambassador Program was launched in 2001 to better utilize students by helping them network and market ASF Foundation programs in their communities, presenting a rare opportunity for high school and college students to further develop their skills and become eligible for the ASF Foundation Academic Scholarships. A 1995 partnership with the Alabama Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (AAHRA) enabled the ASF Foundation to provide services and consult with the AAHRA Youth Sports Committee on event planning and management. Together with the AAHRA, we co-host tournaments for the youth of public housing. Student-athletes must maintain a 'C' average in school, or agree to participate in tutoring programs to compete in these tournaments. The ASF Foundation promotes an anti-drug hotline (1-800-392-8011) to report illegal drug activity. Since 1993, the ASF Foundation has awarded 441 academic scholarships to the youth of Alabama totaling $272,385. The ASF Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization (IRS # 63-0830085), was founded in 1982 at the request of the United States Olympic Committee and is a charter member of the National Congress of State Games.
