Misplaced Pages

#52947

79-478: Precursors to the league were: The Northern States Hockey League (NSHL) formed in spring 2012 and became the second league to be sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and its United Hockey Union program. Several existing programs from the defunct International Junior Hockey League (IJHL) Super Elite Division joined new franchises to form a seven-team league. The initial teams included

158-687: A separate but equal course. By 1974 women were becoming more vocal about their restrictions. Prior to 1936, ice hockey in North America was governed by the AAU and the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada . After the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) split ways with its national union, the AAU terminated its working agreement with the CAHA which had allowed for transferring of players and exhibition games between

237-633: A Game premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival . LeBron James founded SpringHill Entertainment in 2007 to produce the award-winning documentary, which chronicles his high school basketball career. The 2011 documentary Empty Hand: The Real Karate Kids , written and directed by Kevin Derek, chronicles four young karate competitors compete en route to the annual AAU Karate Championship national tournament. A 2013 AAU youth basketball documentary Little Ballers ,

316-926: A buyer for the franchise. Aston Rebels relocated and renamed as the Philadelphia Rebels. 2018–19 season: The NAHL added another team to its East Division with an expansion franchise granted to the Maryland Black Bears . The Coulee Region Chill were sold and relocated as the Chippewa Steel in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin , and the Philadelphia Rebels became the Jamestown Rebels in Jamestown, New York . The Topeka RoadRunners were sold and rebranded as

395-762: A new team in the East Division to be located in Rochester, New York that will be known as the "Rochester Junior Americans" ("Jr. Amerks"), a nod to Rochester's American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Rochester Americans ("Amerks"), a minor league affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres . The team is co-owned by Wegmans CEO Coleen Wegman and Chris O'Donnell. Former Amerks, AHL and NHL players and coaches, including Brian Gionta , Nathan Paetsch , Stephen Gionta , David Leggio , will be affiliated with

474-737: A one-season pandemic-related hiatus. The league added a third team in Alaska called the Anchorage Wolverines . 2022-23 Season: The Minnesota Magicians were purchased and relocated to Eagle River, Wisconsin as the Wisconsin Windigo . The NAHL approved the relocation of the Wichita Falls Warriors to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to become the Oklahoma Warriors . 2023-24 Season: NAHL approved

553-670: A pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, and sportsmanship, the AAU Sullivan Award goes beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character as well. Golfer Bobby Jones was the first recipient of the AAU Sullivan Award in 1930, beating out other finalists Barney Berling (athletics), Clarence De Mar (athletics), Tommy Hitchcock (polo), Helen Madison (swimming), Helen Wills Moody (tennis), Harlon Rothert (all-around), Ray Rudy (swimming), George Simpson (athletics) and Stella Walsh (athletics) to take home

632-599: A separate group within the AAU organization. Masters Track and Field is now part of USA Track & Field (USATF). The live action short film The Winning Strain was filmed at the 1966 AAU Track and Field championships in New York City and was nominated for an Oscar in 1967 . 1999 HBO documentary Dare to Compete: The Struggle of Women in Sports won the Peabody Award . In September 2008, More than

711-1057: A team in Greeley, Colorado called the Colorado Grit . The Grit will play in the Greely Ice Haus . 2024-25 Season: NAHL has approved a 7th team in the Central Division, located in Watertown, South Dakota , going by the name of the Watertown Shamrocks . The Shamrocks will be the 33rd team in the NAHL. They will play their home games at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena . The Shamrocks will be owned by Codington County Hockey Club LLC , including Mark Gullbrandson, Donald Sisson, KC Finnegan, and Vince Foley at... NAHL Approved an expansion team in

790-413: A woman to participate, her results would not be counted in the official race results. In 1970, the first New York City Marathon ignored the AAU rules and allowed women in the event even if it meant that their scores would not be official. For the second New York City Marathon in 1971 the AAU allowed women to participate if they started the race 10 minutes before, or 10 minutes after the men, or if they ran

869-521: Is an amateur sports organization based 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. It has more than 900,000 members nationwide, including more than 100,000 volunteers. The philosophy of the AAU is "Sports for All, Forever." The AAU was founded on January 21, 1888, by James E. Sullivan and William Buckingham Curtis with

SECTION 10

#1732801529053

948-518: Is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 50th season of operation in 2024–25. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey , and acts as an alternative for those who would not or did not make the roster of a team in the Major Junior Canadian Hockey League (CHL) nor Tier I United States Hockey League (USHL). The NAHL is one of the oldest junior hockey leagues in

1027-697: Is set for debut in 2015 in cooperation with the Canadian Independent Hockey Federation (CIHF). The AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the best collegiate or Olympic-level athlete in the United States – making this award older than the Heisman Trophy (1935). The AAU Sullivan Award is a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and

1106-573: The Amateur Sports Act of 1978 broke up the AAU's responsibility as the national Olympic sports governing body , the AAU focused on providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the local and regional levels. The AAU is divided into 55 distinct district associations, which annually sanction 45 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 30,000 age division events. The AAU events have over 900,000 participants and over 100,000 volunteers. Starting in 1914,

1185-651: The Brookings Blizzard . Traverse City North Stars franchise purchased by the Soo Eagles and joined the league from Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League . The Dawson Creek Rage, New Mexico Mustangs, and St. Louis Bandits takes leaves of absence. The Chicago Hitmen fold. 2013–14 season: The dormant New Mexico Mustangs relocated to Richfield, Minnesota, and became Minnesota Magicians . The Texas Tornado relocated back to North Richland Hills, Texas, and became Lone Star Brahmas . The Minnesota Wilderness joined

1264-1228: The Cape Cod Islanders , the Eastern Kodiaks , the Junior Mariners , the Lake George Fighting Spirit , the New England Stars , the Syracuse Stampede , and the Trenton Habs . For the 2013–14 season the league added the Maine Moose , the Maine Wild , and the Wilkes-Barre Miners . In addition, two teams relocated and changed names when the Lake George Fighting Spirit moved to Waterville Valley, New Hampshire and became known as American Hockey Institute Fighting Spirit and

1343-790: The International Ice Hockey Association , which merged into the Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace to become the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in 1947. With the merger, the IIHF chose to recognize the AHAUS as the governing body of hockey in the United States, instead of the AAU. Despite the decision by the IIHF, the AAU sent its own team to compete in ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics . The AAU

1422-852: The Keystone Ice Miners , remaining in the North Division, and the Wenatchee Wild moved from the Midwest Division to the South Division. 2015–16 season: On May 1, 2015, the NAHL announced that the dormant Dawson Creek Rage franchise was purchased by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights organization to be an expansion team for the 2015–16 season. The Keystone Ice Miners ceased operations. The Michigan Warriors ceased operations due to

1501-615: The Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games . The AAU conducted its first event, championships for boxing, fencing, and wrestling, on April 6, 1888, at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House . The open USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships were organized by the AAU between 1888 and 1978. In 1923 the AAU sponsored the First American Track & Field championships for women . In 1897,

1580-842: The Topeka Pilots . 2019–20 season: The NAHL approved of two expansion teams: the Maine Nordiques in Lewiston, Maine , and the New Mexico Ice Wolves in Albuquerque, New Mexico . The Brookings Blizzard relocated and became the St. Cloud Blizzard . 2020–21 season: The NAHL added the Wichita Falls Warriors as an expansion team while the Topeka Pilots were relocated as the Kansas City Scouts and

1659-572: The Wenatchee Wild . The Fargo-Moorhead Jets were approved for dormancy. 2009–10 season: The Janesville Jets were awarded an expansion franchise. The Mahoning Valley Phantoms and the USNTDP left the league for the USHL. The Texas Tornado returned to the league after taking a year off while their home arena was undergoing renovations. The Motor City franchise's new ownership changed

SECTION 20

#1732801529053

1738-572: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights sold their franchise to the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks . The St. Cloud Blizzard rebranded as the St. Cloud Norsemen . The Corpus Christi IceRays , Jamestown Rebels , Kansas City Scouts, and Springfield Jr. Blues went dormant for the season due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic . The Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Kenai River Brown Bears both temporarily relocated to Minnesota and closer to

1817-486: The 1970s, the AAU received growing criticism. Many claimed that its regulatory framework was outdated. Women were banned from participating in certain competitions and some runners were locked out. The sporting goods industry also criticized the AAU for stifling innovation by forcing outdated or overreaching standards on their goods and game equipment. During this time, the Olympic Sports Act of 1978 organized

1896-607: The 2012–13 season and returned to the NOJHL for the season 2015–16 season. The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees were relocated to Aston, Pennsylvania and became the Aston Rebels . A new East Division was formed composed of Aston, Johnstown, New Jersey, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Wenatchee Wild organization left the NAHL and joined the Canadian Junior A British Columbia Hockey League . 2016–17 season: The league announced

1975-571: The 2014–15 season. Under the new organizational management by the NAHL, the league changed its name to the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League. Because the season had already started, the league would operate independently for the 2014–15 season and would apply to join USA Hockey before the 2015–16 season. The NA3EHL was approved for Tier III status by USA Hockey in May 2015. After the league

2054-785: The 2015–16 season. On March 4, 2016, it was formally announced that the NA3EHL would be added to the North American Hockey League 's other Tier III league, the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), beginning with the 2016–17 season. The former NA3EHL teams became two new divisions within the NA3HL: the Coastal and Northeast. NA3EHL/NSHL Cup Champions NA3EHL/NSHL Regular Season Champions Amateur Athletic Union The Amateur Athletic Union ( AAU )

2133-438: The 2023–2024 season, AAU College Hockey includes Men's Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3, and a Women's Division, aiming to offer the best collegiate hockey experience while prioritizing the needs of its member conferences, programs, student-athletes, and staff. AAU Hockey sponsors national tournaments for minor hockey levels. A North American Championship for Squirt/Atom and PeeWee levels as well as Midget and Bantam levels

2212-678: The AAU Board of Directors and presented to under-served New York City area youth. Other AAU Cares events were held in conjunction with the AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championships in 2016 and 2017 respectively where the AAU teamed up with Feeding Children Everywhere to pack a total of 120,000 meals in total for hungry children. Currently in conjunction with the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships are Dig Pink® initiatives benefitting

2291-582: The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships was held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex (now ESPN Wide World of Sports) for the first time. It was the first volleyball event to be played in the Fieldhouse at the complex, with a total of 127 teams attending. In 2012, the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships was named the largest volleyball tournament in the world by Guinness World Records. The event

2370-590: The AAU Youth Sports Program. As the popularity of the AAU Youth Sports Program increased, the AAU leaders decided to conduct two national championships simultaneously. The idea came to fruition when Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey proclaimed the first AAU Junior Olympic Games open on August 21, 1967 in downtown Washington, D.C., at the Departmental Auditorium on Constitution Avenue. Five hundred twenty-three athletes competed in

2449-404: The AAU held its first national men's basketball championship . The winner was the 23rd Street YMCA from New York City. The first AAU women's basketball tournament was held in April 1926 at the Los Angeles Athletics Club. The Pasadena Athletic & Country Club Flying Rings were crowned the champions. In the 1960s and 1970s, the NCAA engaged in a bitter power struggle with the AAU. After

North American 3 Eastern Hockey League - Misplaced Pages Continue

2528-565: The Amateur Athletic Union barred women athletes from competing in events that it sponsored. In 1914 they changed their rules and allowed women to compete in a limited number of swimming events. Just two years later in 1916, AAU was considering discontinuing their experiment in allowing women at swimming events. In 1922, the Metropolitan AAU in New York City approved a larger program of sanctioned events for women but still barred them from running events over one-half mile because they were considered too strenuous. The reason given for barring women

2607-480: The Central Division, located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, with the name of the Minnesota Mallards. They will be the 34th team in the NAHL. They will play home games at Forest Lake Sports Center. (Midwest and Central) Top 4 teams qualify, and in the 1st round(Division Semi-Finals), the 1st seed (seeding based on placement in division) plays the 4th seed and the 2nd seed plays the 3rd seed in a 2H-2A-1H best of 5 Series. The winners of those two series will play each other in

2686-461: The Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Award by Sports Destination Management, Best Single Amateur Sporting Event by Sports Travel Awards, and Best Sporting Event by Connect Sports. The AAU Cares program was established in 2016 as the AAU's way of giving back to the community. The first event was held in conjunction with the 86th AAU James E. Sullivan Award. With the assistance of New York State Senator Kevin Parker, bicycles were assembled by

2765-410: The Division Finals with the same 2H-2A-1H Best of 5 format. The winner of the Division Finals will be crowned the Division Champions and will represent the Division in the Final Four, hosted at the Fogerty Ice Arena in Blaine, Minnesota . (South and East) The top 6 teams qualify, with the 1st seed and 2nd seed (seeding based on placement in division) getting byes. Seeds 3, 4, 5, and 6 will all play in

2844-472: The Fogarty Arena and will compete for the Robertson Cup Champion. Under USA Hockey Tier II sanctioning, NAHL teams do not charge players to play and also provide players with uniforms, team clothing and select equipment such as sticks, gloves and helmets. Players without local family live with billet families in their area and pay a monthly stipend that covers food and other costs. Unlike the Tier I United States Hockey League , there are no roster restrictions in

2923-416: The Motor City Machine. However, the Express' home city of Owatonna was granted another NAHL team for 2008–09, named the Owatonna Express. The Express were joined by another new Minnesota NAHL franchise, the Albert Lea Thunder. The Texas Tornado franchise went on a one-year hiatus as they awaited renovations on their arena. Wenatchee, Washington , was awarded an expansion franchise for the 2008–09 season as

3002-401: The NA3EHL beginning play in the 2015–16 season. On April 9, 2015, the NA3EHL announced the addition of the Northeast Generals as an expansion team to begin play the following season based out of Canton, Massachusetts . On April 13, 2015, it was announced the New York Aviators, the 2015 United States Premier Hockey League -Empire Division Champions, would be transferring to the NA3EHL starting in

3081-409: The NAHL on overage players, which allows for the older players to gain extra NCAA exposure as well as teams to retain a veteran core. Teams are still bound to USA Hockey rules regarding import players, and presently each team is allowed to have four non-American players on their roster. Import players may also apply for an exemption from being counted as an import, but only if they have played hockey in

3160-427: The North Division and played at West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The Marquette Rangers moved to Flint, Michigan, and changed their name to Michigan Warriors. Port Huron joined the North Division and played at McMorran Place in Port Huron, Michigan. The North Iowa Outlaws relocated to become the Coulee Region Chill in Onalaska, Wisconsin. The Aberdeen Wings joined the Central Division and played at

3239-447: The Odde Ice Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Austin Bruins joined the Central Division and played at the Riverside Arena in Austin, Minnesota. The Dawson Creek Rage joined the West Division and played at EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The Albert Lea Thunder relocate to become the Amarillo Bulls at joined the South Division out of the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas. The New Mexico Mustangs joined

North American 3 Eastern Hockey League - Misplaced Pages Continue

3318-552: The Official Rules of the AAU. The AAU formerly worked closely with what is now today the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee to prepare U.S. athletes for both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, helping in the qualification of athletes to form the national team. As part of this, the AAU Junior Olympic Games were introduced in 1949, with athletes aged 8 to 16 years, or older in certain sports, being able to participate. Many future World and Olympic champions have appeared in these events, which are still held every year. In

3397-462: The Side-Out Foundation. The AAU Urban Initiative was created in 2015 to provide a holistic approach to athletics. It provides participation opportunities to areas that were historically under served. The initiative partners the AAU with local government, law enforcement, faith-based groups, business communities, educational institutions and other groups who work to bring communities together through sports in service to America's youth. Through mentoring,

3476-596: The South Division and played at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The Alaska Avalanche relocate to Palmer, Alaska, but keep the same name. 2011–12 season: The Owatonna Express relocate to Odessa, Texas, and become Odessa Jackalopes . The Motor City Metal Jackets relocate to Jamestown, New York, and become Jamestown Ironmen . The Minot Minotauros and Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings granted expansion. 2012–13 season: The Alaska Avalanche relocated to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and became Johnstown Tomahawks . Alexandria Blizzard relocated to Brookings, South Dakota, and became

3555-507: The Trenton Habs were renamed the Jersey Shore Wildcats when they moved their operations to Wall Township, New Jersey . The league also lost the Eastern Kodiaks when the team moved operations to Jamestown, New York, shortly before folding. The NSHL continued growth for the 2014–15 season when the league announced three new teams: the Roc City Royals , Central New York Stallions , and the Lockport Express . Two franchises also announced relocation and name change plans. The Maine Moose franchise

3634-481: The United States and is headquartered in Addison, Texas . The teams span the United States from Maine in the East to Alaska in the Northwest and to Texas in the South. The teams play a 59-game regular season, usually starting on the 2nd weekend in September and ending near mid-April (2020-21 season is exception, the season started in late 2020-early 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic ). The Champions of each division(not regular season) will play in Blaine, MN at

3713-579: The United States for four years prior. From its beginning in 1975, the NAHL was primarily a 6–12-team league based in the Midwest, known as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League and changed the name to the North American Hockey League in 1984. The league's all-time leading scorer is Ryan Fultz who tallied 246 points in four seasons. Other notable alumni from the NAHL include Pat LaFontaine , Mike Modano , Doug Weight , Pat Peake , Brian Rolston , Brian Holzinger , Brian Rafalski , Todd Marchant , John Scott , Connor Hellebuyck , and George Parros . In 2003,

3792-406: The arrival of the major junior Flint Firebirds . The Soo Eagles announced they were returning to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League citing the lack of other local teams as they were the last remaining team in Michigan. The New Jersey Junior Titans organization bought the franchise from the Eagles and relocated to Middleton, New Jersey. The Eagles originally sought membership with the NAHL for

3871-408: The athletes had been mounting for years to find an answer. Track and Field News discussed the subject with its cover article "Take the Money and Run" in November 1971. AAU got its start in New York City. But in 1957, the search began for a permanent national office site rather than renting office space in NYC. In 1970, the AAU officially moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, serving as

3950-512: The catalyst which eventually bills the city as the “Amateur Sports Capital” of the United States. 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 ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. In 1996, the AAU relocated its national headquarters to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista , Florida . More than 40 AAU national events are conducted at

4029-850: The complex. The AAU headquarters is located within the former Walt Disney World Preview Center. 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. The AAU has 33 national committees to organize its activities in particular sports. AAU operates under a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status granted in 1996. The Amateur Athletic Union offers participants sport programming in individual and team sports 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 youth athletes to play for championships in sports against other athletes similar in age and athletic development. The AAU offers sport programming for individuals and teams in

SECTION 50

#1732801529053

4108-463: The continued expansion of the East Division by adding the Northeast Generals of Attleboro, Massachusetts . The Generals organization also has a Tier III team in the North American 3 Hockey League (previously in the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League prior to the 2016 league merger). On April 8, 2016, the Shreveport Mudbugs were announced as an expansion team. 2017–18 season: The Wichita Falls Wildcats ceased operations after failing to find

4187-455: The end of the NAHL season. The trophy is awarded annually to the USA Hockey Tier II junior national playoff champion. The Cup is the oldest junior hockey trophy in the United States and is named in honor of Chuck Robertson, a pioneer of junior hockey in the NAHL and youth hockey in the state of Michigan. Chuck Robertson was the owner of the Paddock Pool Saints when they won a record seven straight NAHL championships from 1976 to 1983. As of

4266-461: The following sports: The AAU Junior Olympic Games is the largest multi-sport event for youth in the United States. It has become the showcase event of the AAU Sports Program. The Games originated from ‘telegraphic' state track and field competitions. National Champions were determined through telephone and/or mail entries instead of head-to-head competition. In 1949, the AAU conducted its first ‘live' national meet in Cleveland, Ohio — giving birth to

4345-423: The goal of creating common standards in amateur sport. Since then, most national championships for youth athletes in the United States have taken place under AAU leadership. From its founding as a publicly supported organization, the AAU has represented U.S. sports within the various international sports federations. In the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Spalding Athletic Library of the Spaulding Company published

4424-596: The honor. In 1944, Ann Curtis, an 18-year-old swimmer from San Francisco, became the first woman to receive the AAU Sullivan Award. Curtis had captured eight AAU titles during the year. In 2024, the 94th AAU James E. Sullivan Award was presented to college basketball star Caitlin Clark , who became the first ever two-time winner of the award. Other finalists included David Taylor (Wrestler), Emery Lehman (Speedskating), Frederick Richard (Gymnastics), Madisen Skinner (Volleyball) and Noah Jaffe (Para Swimming) . Masters Track and Field officially began in 1968, and in 1971 became

4503-408: The inaugural AAU Junior Olympic Games in Washington, D.C. in 1967. National champions were determined in swimming and track and field. Eighteen AAU records in swimming and three in track and field were established. Since its beginning in Washington, D.C. in 1967, the AAU Junior Olympic Games have been conducted in 19 states and 31 cities across the United States. The Games popularity has exploded from

4582-549: The league from the Superior International Junior Hockey League by purchasing dormant St. Louis Bandits franchise. The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees purchased the Wenatchee Wild franchise. The Fresno Monsters were relocated to become the second incarnation of the Wenatchee Wild and the Monsters returned to only fielding a team in the Western States Hockey League . The Jamestown Ironmen and Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings ceased operations. 2014–15 season: The Port Huron Fighting Falcons were relocated to Connellsville, Pennsylvania , to become

4661-465: The league merged with the now defunct America West Hockey League to form a 19-team league. The 2024–25 season has 35 teams playing in four divisions: Note: An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise relocation. See respective team articles from more information. 2006–07 season: Bozeman Icedogs , Billings Bulls , and Helena Bighorns left the league for the Northern Pacific Hockey League . Cleveland Jr. Barons were granted inactive status for

4740-453: The new team. The team will play at the Rochester Ice Center in the metropolitan suburb of Fairport, New York. The NAHL added another team to the East Division later in 2022-23 season, as the New Hampshire Mountain Kings were approved for their membership, making it the first time an NAHL team was located in New Hampshire . The team will be based out of the renovated Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hooksett, New Hampshire . The NAHL also introduced

4819-450: The organization of national sports events. Prior to the AAU, the National Association of Amateur Athletes of America (NAAA) existed from 1879 to 1888. The AAU was co-founded in 1888 by William Buckingham Curtis to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. 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

SECTION 60

#1732801529053

4898-597: The original 523 athletes to more than 18,000 participants representing all 50 states and several United States territories. The AAU Junior Olympic Games has been honored with Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Awards from Sports Destination Management in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023. The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships is one of AAU’s premier and award-winning national events. The inaugural AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships took place on June 25, 1974 in Catonsville, Maryland. Nineteen teams participated, representing 10 states. In June 1997,

4977-465: The other teams in their division until mid-April 2021 due to pandemic-related travel restrictions to Alaska. 2021–22 season: The Amarillo Bulls were relocated to Mason City, Iowa , as the North Iowa Bulls . The Kansas City Scouts were originally granted another season of dormancy, but were instead sold and relocated to Amarillo as the Amarillo Wranglers to begin play for the 2021–22 season. Corpus Christi, Jamestown, and Springfield returned after

5056-406: The play-in, which happens around early-to-mid April. The 3 seed will host the 6 seed for all 3 games*, as the 4th seed will also host the 5th seed for all 3 games*. The winner with the lowest seed will play the 1st seed, and the winner with the highest seed will play the 2nd seed. From there, the format is the same as the Midwest and Central. The Robertson Cup Championship is a playoff series held at

5135-399: The program teaches life skills, character development, and harmony. On September 16–17, 2023, the AAU Urban Initiative program held an inaugural 3v3 AAU Basketball Tournament at Times Square in New York City in cooperation with the NYPD. The AAU College Hockey was established in March 2023, through the collaboration of the Collegiate Hockey Federation and Amateur Athletic Union. Beginning with

5214-484: The season. Wasilla Spirit changed names to Alaska Avalanche. Minnesota Blizzard became the Alexandria Blizzard. Texarkana Bandits moved to Chesterfield, Missouri , and became the St. Louis Bandits . Marquette Rangers were added to the league. 2007–08 season: Santa Fe Roadrunners moved to Topeka, Kansas , as the Topeka Roadrunners . The Kenai River Brown Bears started play in the league. 2008–09 season: The Southern Minnesota Express moved to Detroit and became

5293-410: The team's nickname from Machine to Metal Jackets. 2010–11 season: The NAHL Board of Governors accepted membership of several new teams in the league. The Fresno Monsters were awarded an expansion franchise. after having a team in the Tier III Junior A Western States Hockey League . The Corpus Christi IceRays were awarded a franchise formerly known as the Alpena IceDiggers. The Chicago Hitmen joined

5372-449: The then United States Olympic Committee and saw the re-establishment of independent associations for the Olympic sports, referred to as national governing bodies . The rise of professionalism in all sports in the latter half of the 20th century also hurt the AAU's viability. As a result, the AAU lost its influence and importance in international sports, and focused on the support and promotion of predominantly youthful athletes, as well as on

5451-409: The two countries. The AAU then issued an ultimatum to the Eastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL) in August 1937, not to have any Canadian-born players in its league. EAHL president Tommy Lockhart chose to break away from the AAU and reached an agreement with the CAHA, then founded the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (AHAUS) to govern ice hockey. The AHAUS and the CAHA joined to form

5530-408: The west division to five teams and the league to eleven teams. On September 17, the Maine Timberwolves folded prior to the start of the season re-balancing the league to five teams per division. In October 2014, the NSHL left the United Hockey Union after two seasons under the promise of USA Hockey sanctioning by affiliating with the Tier II Junior A North American Hockey League (NAHL) early into

5609-434: Was "under the table." As a result, many American athletes' careers were frequently cut short shortly after their subsidized participation at the collegiate level ended, even as Eastern Bloc and other international athletes frequently had their careers extended under the facade of being a part of national military or police service (usually being more honorary than productive work) which extended their amateurism. Pressure from

5688-559: 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 largest event to date with 5,194 teams (966 boys and 4228 girls) competing. It's the largest sporting event ever held at the Orange County Convention Center. Over the years, this premier AAU event has been recognized as a seven-time winner of

5767-591: Was precipitated by grumblings of the inefficiency of the AAU to manage the multitude of sports at the Olympic level. USA Gymnastics was formed initially as a feeder program in 1963 as a response to perceived poor performance by the American performers in the Olympics and at World Championships. The USWF was formed in 1968 as an effort to take over amateur wrestling as an independent governing body. Their position

5846-755: Was renamed, the Junior Mariners changed their name to the East Coast Minutemen while continuing to play out of Salem, New Hampshire. On December 16, 2014, it was announced that the Fighting Spirit would relocate once again for the following season to Lewiston, Maine and renamed as the L/A (Lewiston/Auburn) Fighting Spirit. On November 18, 2014, the NAHL announced it was adding the Skylands Kings junior hockey team for expansion to

5925-800: Was sold and renamed the Maine Timberwolves with a relocation to Lewiston, Maine , and the AHI Fighting Spirit was renamed the New Hampshire Fighting Spirit with a relocation to Laconia, New Hampshire . The league also organized the 12 teams into two divisions of six teams each. However, when the NSHL released its 2014–15 schedule in August, the CNY Stallions were not included in the schedule, reducing

6004-575: Was supported by the United States Olympic Committee led by Avery Brundage , who threatened a United States boycott the Olympics if an AHAUS team was recognized instead of an AAU team. The status of ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics was not resolved until the night before the Olympics began, after bitter negotiations. The International Olympic Committee allowed the AHAUS team to participate, but they were ineligible to win an Olympic medal. The Amateur Sports Act of 1978

6083-458: Was supported when FILA , then wrestling's world governing body, refused to accept membership of "umbrella" sports organizations like the AAU. The International Track Association was formed immediately after the 1972 Olympics. Prior to the formation of the ITA, track and field athletes were amateur athletes, as required by the Olympic creed of the day. The only income they received from their sport

6162-432: Was televised by Nickelodeon in 2015, as the first documentary to be aired on NickSports . The film was directed by Crystal McCrary and featured AAU youth team New Heights, featuring Cole Anthony , who is her son. In 2016, At All Costs explores how the AAU basketball circuit has professionalized youth basketball across America. North American Hockey League The North American Hockey League (NAHL)

6241-418: Was that if a woman was allowed to run more than a half-mile they would put their reproductive health at risk. But by 1923 the AAU allowed women to compete in most sports, including basketball. The AAU held women's basketball tournaments from 1926 through 1970. In 1961, the Amateur Athletic Union still prohibited women from competing in road running events and even if organizers broke the rule and allowed

#52947