‘Making a Difference’: AHSAA honors Plainview’s Bill and Judy Ayars, Lauderdale County’s Haleigh Williams

MONTGOMERY – The “most well-known and most beloved couple in Rainsville” and a Lauderdale County coach who loves to teach are among the recipients of “Making a Difference” awards by the Alabama High School Athletic Association and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association.

All were nominated and selected for their impact as exemplary role models in their schools and communities.

One recipient from each of the AHSAA’s seven classifications was selected from approximately 75 nominations submitted by member schools and other support organizations or people.

“These individuals have spent their entire teaching, coaching and administrative careers making a major positive impact in their communities and schools across the state and are excellent examples of what this award stands for,” AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon said. “Qualities considered for this prestigious award include the recipient’s character, integrity, determination, sacrifice and service, all of which have enabled them to have a life-changing impact on the students, school and communities which they serve.”

Bill and Judy Ayers

Plainview High School’s Bill and Judy Ayers, this year’s Class 4A co-recipients, have been described by Plainview High School girls’ basketball coach Luke Griggs as “the most well-known and most beloved couple in Rainsville whose value to the school, its athletic programs and community cannot be understated.”

Judy Ayers has served the DeKalb County School System for 53 years as a Plainview High School faculty member. Her roles have included various capacities ranging from classroom English teacher, cheerleader sponsor and librarian – which she has served for the past 40 years.

Bill Ayers served as a teacher and administrator, retiring from Plainview High School in 2008 with 32 years of service. He and his wife have continued to be the school’s basketball team statisticians – working from the bleachers – for more than 40 years. During that time, they helped document Plainview’s basketball program’s 3-point shooting records that are noted throughout the AHSAA Record Book and the NFHS National Record Book.

“The things that I do for Plainview are the things that I believe in and things that I enjoy doing,” said Bill Ayers. “These things can be sports related, but they do not have to be sports related. I am a part of many events at Plainview High School.

“As I grew up, my parents taught me to help others. I helped neighbors with various tasks from working in a chicken house, weeding, and harvesting gardens, mowing yards, or pumping gasoline at a nearby service station. Helping others was something I did as an everyday experience.”

When he was approached to help keep basketball stats and records in the 1970s, there was no hesitancy.

“The greatest gift for doing the stats is watching the players’ faces when I read the stats to the coaches and players at halftime,” Ayers said. “Also, seeing the athletes years later and they come up and give us a hug or ask how we are doing, is a big reward for both me and Judy. This is what I call “Bear pride.”

“I have been a Plainview Bear since I began school at Plainview in the second grade and plan to remain a part of Plainview in coming years.”

Judy Ayers echoed her husband’s sentiments.

“My life-long association with Plainview High School and its students began humbly in 1972 when I was hired to teach science and history, neither of which was my secondary education major,” she said. “Four years later, the principal asked me to work with the varsity cheerleaders long enough for him to find someone who wanted that responsibility.

“In the meantime, I learned about cheerleading, Bill became a teacher at Plainview, and we both became invested in the lives of the students at Plainview. We saw that students needed direction, support, respect, and appreciation for their interests, their talents, and their hard work. We had the time, energy, and love for giving all of that … and it was fun.

“These activities have given and continue to give me the chance to see students reach personal goals, achieve what seemed impossible to them, expand their worlds, be their best, and receive recognition for their work.”

Coach Haleigh Woodard Williams

While the Lauderdale County High School girls’ tennis program has won three straight Class 1A/3A state championships under Williams, her impact on students extends beyond the tennis courts.

Assistant Principal Amanda Mathis, who nominated Williams for the award said the three straight titles are “a testament to her exceptional coaching  ability” and the result of a “strong work ethic and … unwavering support for her players.

“She puts her players first in all things. This has played critical role in shaping her students into successful athletes.”

Mathis said Williams “not only challenges students on the tennis court but also in the classroom.

“She fosters a culture of inclusivity, and she is committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals.”

Fittingly, Williams described her role and purpose as a teacher is to “make a difference.”

“As cliche as it may sound, I truly became a teacher with one goal in mind: to make a difference,” she said. “I always felt that if I could make a difference in the life of just one child, my career would be a success. It’s incredibly important to me that my students and athletes know that they always have an adult who loves them and is in their corner. I take pride in the relationships this has allowed me to build over the years and always look forward to visits with former students and players.

“I also truly love to teach… There are few things more special than watching a child’s eyes light up when a new skill begins to click – whether in the classroom, or on the court. I really think that might be the best reward of all.”

This year’s recipients are:

• Class 1A: Johnny “Cal” Young
  A former Brantley High School student who has provided his alma mater exemplary service as an assistant coach over the last 30 years for virtually every athletic program at Brantley High School – including boys’ and girls’ basketball, softball, baseball, and football.
• Class 2A: Dale Carrell
  A veteran track and field coach at Westminster of Oak Mountain School who has set an example of faith and courage through his long-time service and impact as a teacher, administrator and coach for the Christian school located in Shelby County.
• Class 3A: Haleigh Woodard Williams
  Lauderdale County High School’s tennis coach – who has built the girls’ program into the top Class 1A-3A program in the state while making a major impact on the lives of the student-athletes in her amazing tennis program and classroom.
• Class 4A: Bill and Judy Ayers
  The first couple to be selected as a Making a Difference recipient in the AHSAA program’s 15-year program, the Ayers have served Plainview High School’s students and  coaches for more than 50 years. Mrs. Ayers, the school librarian, just completed her 53^rd year, and Bill has continued to serve as the athletic department’s team statistician for more than 50 years.
• Class 5A: Cedric Blair
  The offensive line coach for Ramsay High School’s football team, Blair has served at various other Birmingham City Schools as well – earning the reputation of being not only an outstanding line coach but a molder of young men through his own example of service and dedication.
• Class 6A: Dr. Ann Jackson
  The Superintendent of Jasper City Schools since 2014 has molded the Jasper City School System into one of the finest in the nation – and has implemented an education-based athletic program that has become a model of excellence.
• Class 7A: Erica Dubois
  The former Prattville High School basketball star returned to her alma mater where she has become one of the most respected teachers and basketball coaches in the AHSAA.

This year’s class will be recognized at the AHSAA Summer Conference Championship Coaches’ Awards Banquet, set for July 24 at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.

The Making a Difference Award was established in 2011 by then-AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese in conjunction with the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association (AHSADCA) to recognize individuals who go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher, or administrator to make a positive impact in their schools and communities.

“The recipients in this 2025 Making a Difference class are excellent examples of men and women who have dedicated themselves to serving students with positive reinforcement, kindness and compassion,” said Harmon. “They take their positions as role models for their students, faculty, and community very seriously and have shown exceptional leadership and determination in the challenges each has faced.”