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{{Infobox Organization

|name = Amateur Athletic Union of The United States
|image = AAU_20USA_20Logo.gif‎
|size = 180px
|motto = "Sports for All, Forever."
|type = Amateur Sports Organization
|formation = 21 January 1888
|headquarters = [[Lake Buena Vista]], [[Florida]]
|membership = [[List of IOC country codes|205 National Olympic Committees]]
|leader_title = President
|leader_name = Robert Dodd.
|website= http://www.aausports.org
|}}
The '''Amateur Athletic Union''' ('''AAU''') is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, [[sports]] organizations in the [[United States]]. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of [[amateur sports]] and [[physical fitness]] programs.
The '''Amateur Athletic Union''' ('''AAU''') is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, [[sports]] organizations in the [[United States]]. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of [[amateur sports]] and [[physical fitness]] programs.


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The AAU was founded in [[1888 in sports|1888]] to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sport. During its early years the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the United States in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the [[Olympic movement]] to prepare athletes for the [[Modern Olympic Games|Olympic Games]].
The AAU was founded in [[1888 in sports|1888]] to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sport. During its early years the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the United States in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the [[Olympic movement]] to prepare athletes for the [[Modern Olympic Games|Olympic Games]].


THe AAU became the subject of critcism, notably by outspoken track star Steve Prefontaine, over the living conditions for amateur athletes under the AAU, as well as arbitrary rules, such as a prohibition on women participating in running events. Congress adopted the Amateur Sports Acto of 1978 in response to such criticisms, effectively removing the organization from any governance role. The AAU now continues as a voluntary organization largely promoting youth sports.
After the [[Amateur Sports Act of 1978]], the AAU focuses on providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the local and regional levels. The philosophy of the AAU is "Sports for All, Forever." The AAU is divided into 56 distinct Districts, which annually sanction 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 30,000 age division events. The AAU events have over 500,000 participants and over 50,000 volunteers.


==Programs==
==Programs==
Programs offered by the AAU include: AAU Sports Program, [[AAU Junior Olympic Games]], AAU [[James E. Sullivan Award|James E. Sullivan Memorial Award]] and the AAU Complete Athlete Program. In addition, the President's Challenge program is administered on behalf of the [[President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports]]. The AAU has 33 national committees to organize its activities in particular sports.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://aausports.org/ | accessdate = 2008-05-22 | title = AAU Official website}}</ref>
Programs offered by the AAU include: AAU Sports Program, [[AAU Junior Olympic Games]], AAU [[James E. Sullivan Award|James E. Sullivan Memorial Award]] and the AAU Complete Athlete Program. In addition, the President's Challenge program is administered on behalf of the [[President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports]]. The AAU has 33 national committees to organize its activities in particular sports.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://aausports.org/ | accessdate = 2008-05-22 | title = AAU Official website}}</ref>


In 1994, the AAU joined forces with the [[Walt Disney World]] Resort, signing a 30 year agreement. As part of that agreement, many of AAU's national championships in many sports are played at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ihoops.com/locker-room/summer-basketball/articles/The-History-of-AAU-Basketball.htm | accessdate = 2010-05-24 | title = The History of AAU Basketball}}</ref> In 1996, the AAU relocated its national headquarters to [[Orlando, Florida]]. More than 40 AAU national events are conducted at the [[Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex]]. The ESPN Wide World of Sports features a double-deck 7,500&mdash;seat [[baseball]] stadium and [[baseball]] quadraplex, a fieldhouse that accommodates up to six hardwood courts, a [[softball]] quadraplex, two youth baseball fields, a [[track and field]] complex, and four multi-purpose performance fields sized for [[soccer]] tournaments.
In 1994, the AAU joined forces with the [[Walt Disney World]] Resort. Later that year, the AAU relocated its national headquarters to Orlando, Florida. More than 40 AAU national events are conducted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The ESPN Wide World of Sports features a double-deck 7,500 seat [[baseball]] stadium and [[baseball]] quadraplex, a fieldhouse that accommodates up to six hardwood courts, a [[softball]] quadraplex, two youth baseball fields, a [[track and field]] complex, and four multi-purpose performance fields sized for [[soccer]] tournaments.


AAU operates under a [[501c3|501(c)(3)]] tax-exemption letter granted by the federal government in [[1966]].
AAU operates under a [[ 501c3 | 501(c)(3)]] tax-exemption letter granted by the federal government in [[1966]].

==Sports Offered==
The Amateur Athletic Union offers participants sports teams in their local community that they can join and compete with other athletes their own age. There are teams in most sports ranging from 9U to 18U, allowing children to play for championships in sports against other children similar in age and athletic development.

The AAU offers sports teams in:

{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%"
!bgcolor="#0021A5"| <font color=#FF4A00>
!bgcolor="#0021A5"| <font color=#FF4A00>
|- align="center"
| [[Aerobics]]|| [[Jumprope]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]]|| [[Lacrosse]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Badminton]]|| [[Martial Arts]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Baseball]]|| [[Soccer]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Basketball]]|| [[Softball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Baton Twirling]]|| [[Surfing]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Bocce Ball]] || [[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] and [[Diving]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Bowling]]|| [[Table Tennis]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Cheerleading]]|| [[Trampoline]] and [[Tumbling]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Dance]]|| [[Volleyball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Football]]|| [[Water Polo]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Golf]]|| [[Olympic weightlifting|Weightlifting]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Gymnastics]]|| [[Wrestling]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Hockey]]|| [[AAU Junior Olympic Games]]||
|-align="center"
|}

==Famous AAU Alumni==
The following is a list of famous athletes who participated in AAU sporting events, as well as the sport they played.
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%"
!bgcolor="#0021A5"| <font color="white"> Athlete
!bgcolor="#0021A5"| <font color="white"> Sport
|- align="center"
| [[Carmelo Anthony]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Ron Artest]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Larry Bird]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Chris Bosh]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Kobe Bryant]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Vince Carter]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Prince Fielder]]|| [[Baseball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Darnell Hall]]|| [[Track and Field]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Chamique Holdsclaw]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Dwight Howard]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Josh Howard]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Allen Iverson]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[LeBron James]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Shaquille O’Neal]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Candace Parker]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Chris Paul]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Paul Pierce]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Matt La Porta]]|| [[Baseball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Nykesha Sales]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[B.J. Upton]]|| [[Baseball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Dwyane Wade]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[Jeremy Wariner]]|| [[Track and Field]] ||
|-align="center"
| [[David Wright]]|| [[Baseball]] ||
|}

==Criticism==
In the early 1970s, The AAU became the subject of criticism, notably by outspoken track star Steve Prefontaine, over the living conditions for amateur athletes under the AAU, as well as arbitrary rules, such as a prohibition on women participating in running events. Congress adopted the [[Amateur Sports Act of 1978]] in response to such criticisms, effectively removing the organization from any governance role. The AAU now continues as a voluntary organization largely promoting youth sports.

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://aausports.org/ Amateur Athletic Union official website]
* [http://aausports.org/ Amateur Athletic Union official website]
* [http://www.aaujrogames.org/ AAU Junior Olympics Official website]
* [http://www.aaujrogames.org/ AAU Junior Olympics Official website]
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* [http://www.goaau.com/ AAU 2008 Junior Olympics Coverage, An Official Partnership Between AAU and GoTrybe]
* [http://www.goaau.com/ AAU 2008 Junior Olympics Coverage, An Official Partnership Between AAU and GoTrybe]
* [http://www.gotrybe.com AAU Official Partner - GoTrybe]
* [http://www.gotrybe.com AAU Official Partner - GoTrybe]

[[Category:Sports in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1888]]
[[Category:Bodybuilding organisations]]

[[de:Amateur Athletic Union]]
[[fr:Amateur Athletic Union]]
[[it:Amateur Athletic Union]]
[[he:איחוד אתלטים חובבים]]
[[ja:アマチュア運動連合]]
[[fi:Amateur Athletic Union]]
[[tr:Amatör Atletizm Birliği]]

Revision as of 12:54, 22 June 2010


The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.

History

The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sport. During its early years the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the United States in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games.

THe AAU became the subject of critcism, notably by outspoken track star Steve Prefontaine, over the living conditions for amateur athletes under the AAU, as well as arbitrary rules, such as a prohibition on women participating in running events. Congress adopted the Amateur Sports Acto of 1978 in response to such criticisms, effectively removing the organization from any governance role. The AAU now continues as a voluntary organization largely promoting youth sports.

Programs

Programs offered by the AAU include: AAU Sports Program, AAU Junior Olympic Games, AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award and the AAU Complete Athlete Program. In addition, the President's Challenge program is administered on behalf of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The AAU has 33 national committees to organize its activities in particular sports.[1]

In 1994, the AAU joined forces with the Walt Disney World Resort. Later that year, the AAU relocated its national headquarters to Orlando, Florida. More than 40 AAU national events are conducted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The ESPN Wide World of Sports features a double-deck 7,500 seat baseball stadium and baseball quadraplex, a fieldhouse that accommodates up to six hardwood courts, a softball quadraplex, two youth baseball fields, a track and field complex, and four multi-purpose performance fields sized for soccer tournaments.

AAU operates under a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption letter granted by the federal government in 1966.

  1. ^ "AAU Official website". Retrieved 2008-05-22.
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