By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor and Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
CLAY – A proposal for the City of Clay to help fund championship rings for the Clay-Chalkville High School football team will be revisited later this month after city officials raised constitutional concerns during last week’s council meeting.
At the Jan. 27 Clay City Council meeting, Clay-Chalkville principal Dr. Eugene Dallas requested city assistance to help purchase rings commemorating the Cougars’ 2025 state football championship. Councilor Jody Harris subsequently made a motion to transfer $30,000 from city reserve accounts to the Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce, which would then forward the funds to the school for the purchase.
The motion did not carry and will be reconsidered at the council’s Feb. 10 meeting.
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In a letter (pictured) addressed to Clay residents dated Feb. 2, Mayor Jane Anderton said she fully supports the Clay-Chalkville football program and recognizes the players and coaches for their championship achievement, calling the title “a source of pride for everyone in Clay.”
However, Anderton said the issue before the council is not whether the team deserves championship rings, but whether city funding for the rings would comply with state law.
“The question is whether this $30K expense meets the criteria of serving the public good,” Anderton wrote, citing Article IV, Section 94 of the Alabama Constitution, which prohibits municipalities from making appropriations that benefit private individuals.
After reviewing the constitutional provision and guidance from the Alabama League of Municipalities, Anderton said she does not believe the city can directly or indirectly fund the purchase of championship rings without violating state law.
Despite that position, Anderton emphasized that the matter is not an either-or decision and encouraged alternative solutions through community collaboration.
“If city officials and residents pull together and work as hard as our football team and their coaches, we can identify private donors to cover this cost,” Anderton wrote, adding that she is committed to working with community members, alumni, boosters, local businesses, and organizations to honor the championship team.
Anderton also encouraged residents to share ideas and feedback ahead of the Feb. 10 council meeting, calling the discussion an important community conversation.
“Together, we can find creative solutions that honor our champions while upholding our legal and ethical responsibilities,” she wrote.
The Clay-Chalkville football team captured the 2025 state championship, marking one of the most significant athletic achievements in school history.
Former Clay-Chalkville player Terelle West, a member of the 2014 state championship team, is setting up a GoFundMe account to help with the cost.
