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41st Annual Banquet set for April 13
The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Scholarship program has announced its regional scholarship recipients for 2026. A total of 52 senior student-athletes from the 420-member schools in the Alabama High School Athletic Association are selected as regional recipients for the Larry D. Stripling Scholar-Athlete Award. An additional 52 senior student-athletes have also been selected as regional recipients of the Ken and Betty Joy Blankenship Student-Athlete Achievement Award.
One student from each of the eight regions in Classes 1A through 6A and the four regions in Class 7A are selected in each scholarship program from the nominations submitted by member schools each year. All regional recipients will attend the 41st annual Bryant-Jordan Awards Banquet at Birmingham’s Sheraton Hotel on April 13. Each of the 104 regional winners received a $3,000 scholarship. the 14 Class winners received an additional $3,500; and for each overall state winner, the stipend received was $4,000. Each of the regional recipients is also eligible for several other special awards presented at the annual banquet.
Established by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in partnership with the AHSAA, the program was built on the unconditional belief that education and athletics could work together to motivate young people to excel. Named after two Alabama sports legends – Paul “Bear” Bryant and Ralph “Shug” Jordan – the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program brings together the best and brightest high school senior student-athletes from 52 regions in Alabama awarding college scholarships to celebrate their achievements. The Bryant-Jordan scholarship program is highly acclaimed across the nation.
The program, currently managed by Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Scott Myers and Shelton Thompson, Bryant-Jordan Program Executive Assistant, honors students who are exceptional academically, as well as those who have overcome major obstacles to succeed. The scholarships are divided into two major categories:
The Scholar-Athlete Award, which began in 1986, honors high school seniors who are both superior athletes and outstanding students. Selection considerations include scholastic standing, sport involvement, athletic honors, student leadership, and civic/church leadership. This award is named in honor of Larry D. Stripling, now deceased, who served as chairman of the Bryant-Jordan Foundation until his passing in 2012. He also served on the board of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame for 23 years and was its chairman for 13 years.
The Achievement Award, established in 1989, honors high school senior student-athletes who have achieved success relative to his or her ability or who may have overcome an unusual hardship. Selection considerations include academic performance relative to measured ability, sport involvement, athletic honors, student leadership, civic/church leadership. This award is named in honor of Ken and Betty Joy Blankenship, who worked diligently to help manage the Bryant-Jordan program for many years. Mr. Blankenship is now deceased.
Since 1986, the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Scholarship Program has celebrated outstanding high school seniors who demonstrate hard work, determination and commitment that has led to success in sport and academics.
The program has awarded, in total, over $11 million in scholarships to 3,326 student-athletes across Alabama. Each year, the program touches all 420 Alabama High School Athletic Association schools, involving approximately 100,000 students.
This year’s Class of 2026 Bryant-Jordan Regional Scholarship recipients include Cooper Gomez, of Glencoe High School (Class 3A, Region 6); Tanner Griggs, of Southside High School (Class 6A, Region 7); Caden Howard, of Hokes Bluff High School (Class 4A, Region 6).
