The dust has settled from the AHSAA's ruling Tuesday that home-school students can play sports at public high schools.
And that's a huge weight off the shoulders of AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese.
RELATED: Take a look at famous home-schooled athletes
"There's a lot of people that put a lot of time into this," he said. "There was a lot of planning. That's why we wanted time to develop the criteria for participation and we couldn't do it just immediately. A lot of people wanted us to do it last year."
RELATED: Coaches, ADs react to AHSAA by-law
RELATED: Kevin Scarbinsky weighs in on AHSAA deicision
Savarese said the process included input from the Alabama State Department of Education, superintendent and principal associations, home-school parents, committees that included principals, coaches and athletic administrators, and private school representatives.
"We talked to so many people so we could produce a product that would meet the mission of our association, which is fair play," Savarese said.
ON THE WEB: Complete guidelines
Savarese took a moment to speak to AL.com while he was attending National Federation of State High School Associations meetings in Indianapolis.
Q: Alabama officials estimated last year that 450 home-school students (about a quarter of Florida's 1,800 home-schooled student-athletes) would take part during the first year. Has that estimate changed?
A: "I really would not want to speculate. We don't have any data to support a number. We'll see how many we have the first year and as many students who qualify, we'll allow to participate."
Q: How will the AHSAA track the number of home-school participants?
A: "Once they enroll, their data will be collected through our content management system. So we'll be able to provide really good data after a year. We'll analyze all of the data just like we do with all of our students because we have to pay all of the insurance on every child. So we have to have an accurate record for every child that participates.
Q: If a home-school student is zoned for a public school that does not offer the sport they want to compete in, can they enroll elsewhere?
A: "No. It's just like any of our (traditional-student) rules. You're only eligible to participate in the school attendance zone where your parents reside. The traditional student is not allowed to play football at one school, and because the school doesn't have wrestling, wrestle at another school. They can only play the sports that are offered by the school in the attendance zone."
Q: Can home-school students register prior to the fall semester in order to take part in summer practices, camps, etc.?
A: "Yes. Any non-traditional student is eligible to enroll after the last day of school. Previously it's been the first day of the school year. They'll have the same opportunity just like any traditional student for eligibility following the last day of the their public school's school year."
Daniel Boyette covers Huntsville region high school sports for The Alabama Media Group and The Huntsville Times. Write to him at dboyette@al.com.
Follow @danielboyette
