NCHSAA picks Brad Alford as next Commissioner, replacing Que Tucker

Brad Alford will lead the next era of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

The association announced on Thursday morning that Alford has been chosen to fill the role of Commissioner, which opened with the retirement of Que Tucker. He will be the eighth head of the NCHSAA in history.

Alford will begin a transition period with the Association on August 24, working alongside current Commissioner Que Tucker before officially assuming the role on October 1, 2026, upon Tucker's retirement. The transition process will allow Alford and Tucker to work together during the final weeks of Tucker's tenure to ensure a seamless leadership transition

Tucker, who announced her retirement earlier this year, will officially conclude her service as Commissioner on October 1 after more than four decades of service to education-based athletics in North Carolina.

“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 no stranger to the NCHSAA. He spent nearly 15 years with the association, beginning as an intern in 2010 before serving in increasingly senior leadership roles, most recently as Assistant Commissioner for Sports, Championships, and Compliance. During his tenure with the Association, he helped oversee championship operations, sport administration, compliance, governance, and major statewide initiatives.

The leader currently serves as Director of the Office of Athletics for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), where he oversees statewide governance and administration of interscholastic athletics for North Carolina's public schools. He also serves as the State Superintendent's designee for interscholastic athletics and represents NCDPI on the NCHSAA Board of Directors. He began that role in 2025.

Tucker has been the NCHSAA commissioner since 2015. Only Tucker, her predecessor Davis Whitfield -- who was promoted to the head of the National Federation of High Schools this summer -- and Alford have held the "commissioner" title. All others were "executive directors."

No matter the official name, Alford is just the association's fourth leader in the last 40 years and sixth in the 78 years, joining E.R. Rankin (1924-1942); C.E. McIntosh (1943-1947); L.J. "Hap" Perry (1948-1966); Simon F. Terrell (1967-1984); Charles H. Adams (1984-2010); followed by commissioners Davis Whitfield (2010-2015) and Marilyn Que Tucker (2015-2026).

"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 applauded Alford's selection.“Brad Alford has done a marvelous job as the Director of Athletics for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction,” said Green. “Brad has helped to elevate athletics within our public schools as we strive to have the best public education system in the nation by 2030. 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.” 

As Alford prepares to return to the Association in its top leadership role, he stated he is committed to building upon the NCHSAA's long tradition of serving member schools while continuing to provide meaningful opportunities for student-athletes across North Carolina."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.  “I sincerely thank the Board of Directors for its trust and President Mark Garrett for his leadership throughout the search process. 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.”

After graduating from 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 of Science in Sport Management from East Carolina University. He is a Certified Master Athletic Administrator through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and has worked closely with both the National Federation of State High School Associations and the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association, and the North Carolina Coaches Association.