Holt High Varsity Sports To Be Cut In 2026; TCSS Addresses Rumors

HOLT, AL — The Tuscaloosa County School System (TCSS) says big changes are coming to Holt High School, such as the cutting of varsity sports, but officials were quick to address other rumors about the future of the school that have gained traction online.

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Indeed, rumors have made the rounds concerning the possibility of Holt High being shut down, turned into a charter school or made an exclusive trade school.

TCSS says the reality of the situation is that changes to the school would include career tech and education focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) courses.

"It is also untrue that Holt High students will be sent to other schools or will have to apply to attend Holt High in the future," TCSS Superintendent Keri Johnson and Holt Principal Daniel Dickens told parents in an email on Wednesday. "Holt High students will automatically have the opportunity to take advantage of these expanded offerings and will be able to take their core courses at Holt, just as they always have. Holt High is not being dissolved. Also, if you hear someone claiming that we are cutting teacher position at Holt High, that is also false."

The biggest change for the school will come in the 2026-2027 school year, which will be the first without varsity sports at Holt High School in the modern era — marking a century since the last time the Iron Men did not field a football team in 1926.

TCSS says varsity sports will remain at Holt High for the 2025-2026 season but after the next school year, students who want to play varsity sports will have the chance to play at Brookwood High or Tuscaloosa County High School, depending on their residence.

"Varsity athletes will have the opportunity to attend Holt High and play sports at one of these two schools, or they may choose to become a student at the school where they play sports," the message to parents said. "The decision to no longer have varsity sports at Holt High after 2025-2026 is based on steadily declining participation rates and the financial unsustainability caused by this. We want to give our student athletes the best opportunity for success. This decision is motivated by what is in the best interest of our current and future students. Club sports and extracurricular activities will remain at Holt High School."

Students and families in the Holt community are asked to attend a meeting on Feb. 10 for a full discussion of the future opportunities at Holt High School, along with a chance to provide feedback.

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