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aaudirectors.png Isaac and Laura Altman.  Isaac is the National Director for Salsa, Dancesport and Swing

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

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 U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by nearly 800,000 participants and over 50,000 volunteers. The AAU is divided into 57 distinct Associations. These Associations annually sanction more than 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 10,000 local events.

Programs offered by the AAU include: AAU Sports Program, AAU Junior Olympic Games, AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award, AAU Youth Excel Program, and the AAU Complete Athlete Program. Programs administrated on behalf of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports include President’s Challenge and the Presidential Sports Award.

In 1996, the AAU joined forces with Walt Disney World. Later that year, 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. Disney’s 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 tennis complex, a track and field complex four multi-purpose performance fields sized for international soccer and sand volleyball courts.

Mission Statement

To offer amateur sports programs through a volunteer base for all people to have the physical, mental, and moral development of amateur athletes and to promote good sportsmanship and good citizenship.

Vision Statement

To offer amateur athletes and volunteers opportunities to develop to their highest level through a national and local network of sporting events. Through participation in AAU, we achieve our dreams as athletes and as valued citizens of our communities.

Sports for All, Forever

 

History of the Games
The AAU Junior Olympic Games began 33 years ago at the nation’s capitol, Washington D. C. , with two sports; swimming and track and field. The inaugural games marked the first time in the history of the AAU Youth Sports Program that two national championships were held at the same time.

"There is nothing junior about it" has become the theme of the AAU Junior Olympic Games over the years as the event has blossomed from 523 participating athletes in 1967 to over 14,000 registered participants in 25 sports in 1999. The AAU Junior Olympic Games hope to continue to expand and flourish into the 21st century as the popularity of sport and the attention of the youth in America intensifies.

The AAU Junior Olympic Games are known as the largest national multi-sport event for the youth of America today. It has become the showcase event of the AAU Sports Program. The AAU Junior Olympic Games prides itself with the nation’s most outstanding athletes year in and year out.

The Games popularity has exploded to now represent all 50 states, several United States’ territories, and American citizens on foreign soil. More than 25 different cities have hosted the Games since its beginning. In 1998, the seven-city Hampton Roads region of Virginia, was the site of another highly successful and well-received Games. The AAU Junior Olympic Games returned to its roots in 1999 when Cleveland hosted the 33rd AAU Junior Olympic Games. The AAU conducted the first Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Cleveland in 1949, giving rise to the organization's Youth Sports Program. A half-century later, the AAU's signature event is coming home to celebrate a 50-year anniversary. While the sports world continues to grow and change, one thing still remains the same, the AAU's commitment to the youth of America. Sports, for All Forever!

AAU Junior Olympic Games Alumni

Evelyn Ashford - Track & Field Jackie Joyner-Kersee - Track & Field
Joan Beniot-Samuelson - Distance Running Lisa Leslie - Basketball
Stephine Bodie - Weightlifting Carl Lewis - Track & Field
Amanda Borden - Gymnastics Greg Louganis - Diving
Tracy Caulkins - Swimming Mary T. Meagher - Swimming
Bart Conner - Gymnastics Cheryl Miller - Basketball
Mary Decker-Slaney - Track & Field Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball
Dan Gable - Wrestling Alberto Salazar - Distance Running
Anfernee Hardaway - Basketball Carrie Strug - Gymnastics
Stephine Hightower - Track and Field Kurt Thomas - Gymnastics
Chamique Holdsclaw - Basketball Chris Webber - Basketball

Evander Holyfield - Track & Field

 

 

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