Brad Alford named next commissioner of NCHSAA

Brad Alford will return to the N.C. High School Athletic Association as its next commissioner, the organization announced on Thursday.

The NCHSAA Board of Directors unanimously selected Alford to succeed Que Tucker, who is retiring after more than four decades of service to high school sports in North Carolina, including as commissioner since 2015.

Alford will begin a transition period with the association on Aug. 24, and work alongside Tucker before officially taking over as commissioner on Oct. 1.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Brad Alford as the next commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association," NCHSAA President Mark Garrett said. "We were fortunate to have an exceptionally talented and competitive pool of candidates, but Alford set himself apart through his depth of experience and clear vision for the future of the NCHSAA."

Alford is currently the director of the Office of Athletics for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, where he oversees the governance and administration of interscholastic athletics for the state's public schools. He also serves as the state superintendent's designee for interscholastic athletics and represents NCDPI on the NCHSAA Board of Directors.

His selection marks a return to an organization where he spent nearly 15 years.

Alford first joined the NCHSAA as an intern in 2010 and later held several leadership positions, most recently serving as an assistant commissioner for sports, championships, and compliance. During his time with the association, Alford was involved in championship operations, sport administration, compliance, governance, and other statewide initiatives.

He left the NCHSAA in 2025 to join NCDPI.

"I am honored and humbled by the confidence the Board of Directors has placed in me to serve as the next commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association," Alford said. "Having had the privilege of serving the association for nearly 15 years, I am grateful for the opportunity to return and lead the NCHSAA as its next commissioner."

"I look forward to serving our member schools and working alongside our partners across North Carolina as we preserve what makes the association strong while advancing education-based athletics and expanding opportunities for every student-athlete to learn, compete, and grow."

Tucker expressed confidence in Alford as her successor.

“I offer my sincere congratulations to Brad as he returns to the NCHSAA,” Tucker said. “Having previously served on the staff, he brings an understanding of the role and responsibilities of a state athletic association, as well as a commitment to its mission and vision."

“I believe Brad will build upon the tradition of excellence established at the NCHSAA and continue to promote its reputation as a national model within the NFHS family. I look forward to seeing the Association flourish under his leadership.”

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green also praised Alford's work at NCDPI and his selection to lead the NCHSAA.

“Brad Alford has done a marvelous job as the Director of Athletics for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction,” Green said. “While Brad will be missed at NC DPI, I look forward to working with him as he continues his extensive and outstanding service on behalf of student-athletes in his new role as the Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.”

A graduate of Southern Durham High School, Alford earned bachelor's degrees in business administration and recreation and leisure studies from Mount Olive College before earning a master's degree in sport management from East Carolina University.

He is also a Certified Master Athletic Administrator through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and has worked with organizations including the National Federation of State High School Associations, North Carolina Athletic Directors Association, and the North Carolina Coaches Association.

Alford will become the eighth person to lead the NCHSAA, following E.R. Rankin (1924-42), C.E. McIntosh (1943-47), L.J. “Hap” Perry (1948-66), Simon F. Terrell (1967-84), Charlie Adams (1984-2010), Davis Whitfield (2010-15) and Tucker (2015-26).