At the 2024 AHSAA Summer Conference Championship Coaches’ Awards Banquet, which will be held July 18 at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) will recognize seven individuals for making an impact as exemplary role models in their schools and communities. One recipient from each of the AHSAA’s seven classifications was selected from approximately 90 nominations.

This year’s recipients are Al Gilmore (Class 1A), Juan Williams (Class 2A), Brad Cunningham (Class 3A), Trinnia McKenzie-Smith (Class 4A), Ronald Steele (Class 5A), Dr. Brenda Coley (Class 6A), and Lisa Ivey (Class 7A).

“The recipients in this 2024 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 AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. “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. 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.”

The Class 5A recipient, Ronald Steele, is the principal of John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham. As a student-athlete at John Carroll, Steele was a recognizable name at virtually every high school across the AHSAA. His leadership as a basketball player led the Cavaliers to back-to-back Class 6A state basketball titles, helped put more than 18,000 fans in the BJCC for the state finals versus Parker and earned him All America honors and the prestigious Mr. Basketball Award in 2003 and 2004. He was the first student-athlete in AHSAA state history to earn the award twice.

After graduating, he moved to the University of Alabama where he continued to lead as a part of the Crimson Tide basketball team. And when his playing days had ended, he returned home to serve. At John Carroll, Steele has served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal. He has coached girls’ and boys’ basketball and is planning to double as principal and boys’ basketball coach next school year.

His impact on the students and faculty, however, is more about his personal faith and example and how he treats others daily. His nominator, Dr. Banyon Allison, wrote in his nomination letter: “Coach Ronald Steele is the most humble person I know. He has a deep belief in God that manifests in his relationship with students. He sponsors Sports Leader, Toy Bowl, and Cavalier Attack. All of these are Christian-based organizations that develop basketball skills, but more importantly, character building habits. His players, while not perfect, follow Coach Steele’s high expectations of work ethic, respecting rules, and working hard in the classroom.”