Holt High To Keep Athletics As Officials Ask For Community's Help

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Holt High School Principal Daniel Dickens says athletics will remain in the school's future plans after a previous announcement of drastic cuts prompted vocal backlash from the community.

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As Patch previously reported, among the changes first announced for the school last week would have seen the 2026-2027 school year be the first without varsity sports at Holt High School in the modern era. This would have marked a century since the last time the Iron Men did not field a football team in 1926.

In a letter to parents following a contentious public meeting earlier this week, Dickens reiterated that Tuscaloosa County School System Superintendent Keri Johnson said Holt High School in its current state will continue.

Patch reported last week that proposed changes to the school would include career tech and education focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) courses.

This comes after rumors circulated concerning the possibility of Holt High being shut down, turned into a charter school or made an exclusive trade school.

"Conversations continue about possibly adding more career tech opportunities and pathways for Holt students," Dickens said. "Throughout these conversations, we will maintain a focus on students so that they are always the focal point of our decisions. Students will not change school zones to Tuscaloosa County High School or Brookwood High School. All current zoning will continue as it stands now."

Apart from technical changes to the school's offerings, athletics stood out as the talking point that garnered the most public interest. It was proposed at first that if varsity sports were cut at Holt High, the students interested in playing sports would be able to do so at Tuscaloosa County High School or Brookwood High School, depending on where the student lives.

"All athletic programs will continue in their current configurations at both varsity and subvarsity levels," Dickens said. "We are excited to see our programs grow in the number of student athletes, community support, and overall level of competition. Our vision for Holt athletics is to offer sports that will positively shape and mold students for life after high school."

Dickens went on to say that school leadership is in the process of soliciting members for booster clubs to further develop avenues of community and alumni support for all of our athletic programs.

Those interested in participating in Holt High School athletic booster clubs are asked to email TCSS Athletic Director Stacy Lawler at sdlawler@tcss.net.

Holt High School’s Athletic Director Joyce Grant can also be reached at jcgrant@tcss.net, while those who would like to make a direct contribution to the athletic fund can email Cyndi Brown at cbrown@tcss.net.