The Alabama Sports Foundation (ASF) serves as the official sports lobby for the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area as well as the State of Alabama.  ASF’s mission is to recruit, manage and promote major spectator sporting events throughout Alabama.  The Foundation coordinates all aspects of event planning including sponsorship and hospitality sales, marketing and advertising campaigns development and implementation, and comprehensive event operations management logistics.

ASF was founded in 1996 by Dr. Lawrence Lemak and Gene Hallman through its efforts of hosting Olympic Soccer at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  Since that time, ASF has hosted several U.S. Soccer Federation international matches including the most recent Men’s World Cup Qualifier, USA vs. Guatemala in 2005. 

The Foundation has a close relationship with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and has hosted the SEC Baseball Tournament since 1998 as well as four of the six neutral-site SEC Gymnastics Championships (2001-2003; 2006). 

ASF played an integral role in relocating the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Office from New Orleans to Birmingham in 1999.  ASF has hosted the SWAC Championship Football Game since 1999 and the popular Magic City Classic since 2000. Since 2005, the Magic City Classic, which consistently draws more than 68,000 spectators, has been ranked the 2nd largest black college football classic in the country.

ASF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has garnered respect throughout the nation.  The Foundation has been successful managing a myriad of sporting events such as football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, soccer and marathons. 

Alabama Sports Foundation 2008 Event Calendar

• SEC Baseball Tournament - May 21-25, 2008 - Regions Park
• Magic City Classic - October 25, 2008 - Legion Field

Click here for the Alabama Sports Foundation Event Archive.