Amateur Athletic Union facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Amateur Athletic Union

Abbreviation	AAU
Formation	January 21, 1888; 137 years ago (1888-01-21)
Founder	James Edward Sullivan
Founded at	New York Athletic Club
Type	Amateur Sports Organization
Headquarters	Lake Buena Vista, Florida, U.S.
Membership	900,000 athletes and coaches nationwide
President/CEO	J.B. Mirza
Website	aausports.org

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is a sports group in the United States. It helps organize and grow amateur sports and physical fitness programs. Amateur sports mean athletes play for fun and love of the game, not for money. The AAU has over 900,000 members, including athletes and coaches. Its main idea is "Sports for All, Forever."

The AAU started on January 21, 1888. It was founded by James E. Sullivan and William Buckingham Curtis. Their goal was to create fair rules for amateur sports. For many years, the AAU helped organize national championships for young athletes. It also represented U.S. sports in international groups.

For a long time, the AAU worked closely with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. They helped prepare U.S. athletes for the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. In 1949, the AAU Junior Olympic Games began. These games let athletes aged 8 to 16 (or older in some sports) compete. Many future Olympic champions have competed in these yearly events.

In the 1970s, some people felt the AAU's rules were old-fashioned. For example, women were not allowed in some events. Also, the sports equipment industry felt the AAU stopped new ideas. Because of these issues, the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 was passed. This law created new, independent groups for each Olympic sport. These groups are called national governing bodies. As a result, the AAU focused more on supporting young athletes and organizing national sports events.

History of the AAU

Before the AAU, there was a group called the National Association of Amateur Athletes of America (NAAA). It existed from 1879 to 1888. The AAU was started in 1888 to set clear rules for amateur sports. In its early years, the AAU was a leader in international sports. It helped prepare athletes for the Olympic Games.

The AAU held its first events on April 6, 1888. These included championships for boxing, fencing, and wrestling. They took place at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

The AAU organized the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships from 1888 to 1978. In 1923, the AAU held the first American Track & Field championships for women.

In 1897, the AAU held its first national men's basketball championship. The 23rd Street YMCA from New York City won. The first AAU women's basketball tournament was in April 1926. The Pasadena Athletic & Country Club Flying Rings won that event.

After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU changed its focus. It began offering sports programs for people of all ages, starting at local levels.

Today, the AAU has 55 different district groups. They organize 45 sports programs and 250 national championships each year. They also hold over 30,000 events for different age groups. More than 900,000 people take part in AAU events. Over 100,000 volunteers help make these events happen.

Women in Sports: A Changing Story

In 1914, the AAU stopped women from competing in some events. Later that year, they allowed women in a few swimming events. By 1916, they even thought about stopping women's swimming events.

In 1922, the AAU in New York City approved more events for women. However, they still did not allow women to run races longer than a half-mile. They believed it was too hard on women's bodies. But by 1923, the AAU allowed women to compete in most sports, including basketball. Women's basketball tournaments were held by the AAU from 1926 to 1970.

In 1961, the AAU still did not allow women in road running events. Even if organizers let a woman run, her results would not be official. In 1970, the first New York City Marathon ignored these rules. They allowed women to run, even if their scores were not official. For the 1971 New York City Marathon, the AAU allowed women to participate. But they had to start 10 minutes before or after the men. Or they had to run on a separate course. By 1974, women were speaking up more about these unfair rules.

Ice Hockey Changes Direction

Before 1936, ice hockey in North America was managed by the AAU. After the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) separated from its national group, the AAU ended its agreement with the CAHA. This agreement had allowed players to move between the two countries.

In 1937, the AAU told the Eastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL) they could not have Canadian players. The EAHL's leader, Tommy Lockhart, decided to leave the AAU. He made a deal with the CAHA and started a new group called the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (AHAUS) to manage ice hockey. The AHAUS and CAHA then joined to form the International Ice Hockey Association. This group later became the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in 1947. The IIHF chose AHAUS as the main group for hockey in the U.S., not the AAU.

Despite this, the AAU sent its own team to the ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics. The U.S. Olympic Committee, led by Avery Brundage, supported the AAU. He even threatened that the U.S. would not go to the Olympics if the AHAUS team was recognized. The issue was not solved until the night before the Olympics began. The International Olympic Committee allowed the AHAUS team to play, but they could not win an Olympic medal.

AAU's Role Changes

The Amateur Sports Act of 1978 was passed because people felt the AAU was not managing Olympic sports well. For example, USA Gymnastics was formed in 1963 to help American gymnasts perform better. The USWF was created in 1968 to become an independent group for amateur wrestling. The world wrestling group, FILA, agreed with this.

Before the 1970s, Olympic athletes were not allowed to earn money from their sport. This meant many American athletes stopped playing after college. But athletes from other countries often had their careers extended. They were sometimes part of national military or police service, which helped them stay amateur. Athletes pushed for changes. This led to new rules that allowed athletes to earn money.

AAU Headquarters

The building opened as the Walt Disney World Preview Center in 1970 and currently houses the Amateur Athletic Union.

The AAU started in New York City. In 1957, they began looking for a permanent office. In 1970, the AAU moved its main office to Indianapolis. This helped Indianapolis become known as the "Amateur Sports Capital" of the U.S. In 1994, the AAU partnered with the Walt Disney World Resort for 30 years. Because of this, many AAU national championships are held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. In 1996, the AAU moved its main office to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Over 40 AAU national events happen at this complex. The AAU headquarters is in the building that used to be the Walt Disney World Preview Center.

AAU Programs

The AAU offers several programs. These include the AAU Sports Program, the AAU Junior Olympic Games, the AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award, and the AAU Complete Athlete Program.

The AAU has 33 national committees. These committees organize activities for specific sports.

The AAU is a non-profit organization. This means it does not have to pay certain taxes.

Sports Offered by AAU

The Amateur Athletic Union offers many sports for kids and teams in their local areas. Athletes can join and compete with others their own age. There are teams for most sports for ages 9 and under (9U) up to 18 and under (18U). This allows young athletes to compete for championships against others at a similar age and skill level.

The AAU offers sports programs for individuals and teams in these sports:

AAU Junior Olympic Games

The AAU Junior Olympic Games is the biggest multi-sport event for young people in the U.S. It is a very important event for the AAU Sports Program.

The Games started with track and field competitions where winners were found by phone or mail. In 1949, the AAU held its first "live" national meet in Cleveland, Ohio. This was the start of the AAU Youth Sports Program.

As the program grew, AAU leaders decided to hold two national championships at the same time. The first AAU Junior Olympic Games officially opened on August 21, 1967. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey announced the opening in Washington, D.C. Five hundred twenty-three athletes competed in swimming and track and field. They set 18 new AAU records in swimming and three in track and field.

Since 1967, the AAU Junior Olympic Games have been held in 19 states and 31 cities. The Games have become very popular. They now have over 18,000 participants from all 50 states and some U.S. territories. The AAU Junior Olympic Games have won awards for their positive economic impact on sports tourism many times.

AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships

The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships is one of the AAU's top events. The first championship was on June 25, 1974, in Catonsville, Maryland. Nineteen teams from 10 states took part.

In June 1997, the championship was held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for the first time. It was the first volleyball event in the Fieldhouse there. A total of 127 teams attended.

In 2012, the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships was named the largest volleyball tournament in the world by Guinness World Records. It was held at ESPN's Wide World of Sports and the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

The 50th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in 2023 was the biggest event yet. It had 5,194 teams competing (966 boys and 4,228 girls). It was the largest sports event ever held at the Orange County Convention Center.

This event has won many awards over the years. These include the Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Award multiple times.

AAU Cares Program

The AAU Cares program started in 2016. It is how the AAU gives back to communities. The first event was with the 86th AAU James E. Sullivan Award. With help from New York State Senator Kevin Parker, AAU leaders built bicycles. These bikes were given to kids in need in New York City.

Other AAU Cares events have been held with the AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championships. In 2016 and 2017, the AAU worked with Feeding Children Everywhere. They packed 120,000 meals for hungry children. Now, the AAU also supports Dig Pink® efforts. These help the Side-Out Foundation.

AAU Urban Initiative

The AAU Urban Initiative began in 2015. It aims to bring sports to areas that have not had many opportunities. The program works with local governments, police, faith groups, businesses, and schools. They all work together to unite communities through sports for young people. The program also teaches life skills, good character, and teamwork through mentoring. In September 2023, the AAU Urban Initiative held a 3v3 AAU Basketball Tournament in Times Square, New York City. This was done with the help of the NYPD.

AAU College Hockey

AAU College Hockey was created in March 2023. It is a partnership between the Collegiate Hockey Federation and the Amateur Athletic Union. Starting with the 2023–2024 season, AAU College Hockey includes Men's Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3, and a Women's Division. It aims to provide a great college hockey experience for players and staff.

AAU Hockey also sponsors national tournaments for younger hockey players. A North American Championship for Squirt/Atom and PeeWee levels, as well as Midget and Bantam levels, started in 2015. This was in cooperation with the Canadian Independent Hockey Federation (CIHF).

AAU James E. Sullivan Award

The AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been given out every year since 1930. It honors the best college or Olympic-level athlete in the United States. This award is even older than the Heisman Trophy, which started in 1935.

The award is named after James E. Sullivan. He was a founder and past president of the AAU. He was also a leader in amateur sports. The AAU Sullivan Award looks beyond just sports achievements. It honors athletes who show strong leadership, good character, and sportsmanship.

Golfer Bobby Jones was the first person to win the award in 1930. In 1944, Ann Curtis, an 18-year-old swimmer, became the first woman to win. She had won eight AAU titles that year.

In 2024, the 94th AAU James E. Sullivan Award was given to college basketball star Caitlin Clark. She became the first person ever to win the award twice.

Masters Track and Field

Masters Track and Field officially started in 1968. In 1971, it became a separate group within the AAU. Masters Track and Field is now part of USA Track & Field (USATF).

Documentary Films About AAU Sports

Many films have been made about sports and athletes connected to the AAU:

• The short film The Winning Strain was filmed at the 1966 AAU Track and Field championships. It was nominated for an Oscar in 1967.
• The 1999 HBO film Dare to Compete: The Struggle of Women in Sports won an award.
• In September 2008, More than a Game was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival. This film tells the story of LeBron James's high school basketball career.
• The 2011 film Empty Hand: The Real Karate Kids follows four young karate competitors. They train for the annual AAU Karate Championship national tournament.
• A 2013 AAU youth basketball film, Little Ballers, was shown on Nickelodeon in 2015. It was the first film of its kind to be aired on NickSports. The film was directed by Crystal McCrary and featured her son, Cole Anthony, and his AAU youth team.
• In 2016, At All Costs explored how the AAU basketball circuit has changed youth basketball in America.

See also

In Spanish: Amateur Athletic Union para niños