Star of Sports: the man who brought Havoc to Huntsville

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We already know Huntsville loves hockey. From the success of the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s team in the 1990s to today, with the Huntsville Havoc regularly selling out Propst Arena, the fast-action sport has earned the Rocket City the moniker of the “Hockey Capital of the South.”

That’s why the Huntsville Sports Commission honoring Keith Jeffries as a recipient of the Star of Sports Award before the Havoc game on October 23, 2026, makes perfect sense. Jeffries brought the Havoc to Huntsville in 2004 and has been the driving force behind the team’s success here in Huntsville ever since.

Here’s a closer look at Jeffries’ legacy with the Havoc and the Huntsville Star of Sports Award.

Why Keith Jeffries is a Star of Sports

55616332310 73452d6c06 o — Keith Jeffries is the fourth recipient of the Huntsville Star of Sports Award. (Huntsville Sports Commission)

The Star of Sports Award is given to Huntsville residents who display exemplary performance, sportsmanship, service, contribution and leadership. The recipient must also be an individual or team that:

Has a unique or memorable moment, experience or career in sports
Makes the Huntsville community better through sports
Advances the mission of the Huntsville Sports Commission

Jeffries checks all the boxes.

Keith and his wife, Becky, purchased the franchise in 2004 and joined the Southern Professional Hockey League. By 2009, the team had won its first SPHL championship and was the league leader in attendance.

That last accolade cannot be overstated. The support Jeffries has built for this hockey team has been nothing short of amazing.

How the Huntsville Havoc bring the community together

havochockey 153 — The Havoc consistently sell out Propst Arena. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

The Havoc have led the SPHL in attendance for the last 11 years straight. SPHL commissioner Doug Price said the Havoc “have long been one of our league’s premier organizations.”

Leading the league in attendance is more than just a bragging point. It enables the city to showcase itself as a true sports town, which is much appreciated by Huntsville Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Russell.

“Keith Jeffries is truly deserving of the Star of Sports Award for his outstanding contributions to our sports community. Through his ownership of the Huntsville Havoc, Keith has helped create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the ice, bringing people together, strengthening community pride and enriching the sports experience in Huntsville.

His commitment to the team, its fans and our community exemplifies the spirit of this award, and we are proud to recognize his contributions to North Alabama.”

Mark Russell, Executive Director, Huntsville Sports Commission

When Russell points out the Havoc “bringing people together,” he is not just being figurative. Packing 6,000+ people into Propst Arena week after week not only bodes well for the team’s finances, but it also provides a deeper sense of community among Huntsville sports fans.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle also praised Jeffries for his vision and his team’s ability to create a close-knit sports community.

“Keith Jeffries has been a tremendous champion for sports in Huntsville. His dedication, leadership and passion for bringing people together through athletics have helped strengthen our community and elevate Huntsville’s reputation as a destination for sports.

This recognition is well deserved, and we’re proud to celebrate Keith and the lasting impact he’s made on our city.”

Mayor Tommy Battle

Although Keith and Becky sold their majority ownership stake in the team right before the 2026-2027 season, they remain minority owners and will continue to be involved in team operations. In essence, nothing will change, and that’s good to hear.

The organization behind the Star of Sports Award

mark russell — The Huntsville Sports Commission has brought million of dollars into the city through hosting sporting events. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Jeffries is the recipient of the fourth Star of Sports Award given by the Huntsville Sports Commission. Past recipients include:

Dr. David Lee (a champion for youth + high school wrestling in Huntsville)
David Nast (running enthusiast + advocate for the local sports community)
Tommy Neupert (20-year manager of the Huntsville High School football team)

The award was created by the commission to showcase the huge impact sports has on the community.

The Huntsville Sports Commission was established in 2000, and since then has organized, recruited and managed numerous tournaments, events and competitions here in the Rocket City. Led by Russell, the organization has brought tourism dollars into the city through hosting these events.

Through these events, the commission generated $62.3 million in revenue for the city in 2025 alone.

Huntsville has hosted a wide array of sporting events through the Huntsville Sports Commission, including: