National Association of Amateur Athletes of America (NAAA) was formed in 1879. This was the organized body for the Amateur Athletes before the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) took over in 1888.
51-644: Phoenix Knights were an Amateur Athletic Union -sanctioned Tier II junior ice hockey team based out of Gilbert, Arizona . The Knights were a part of the Western States Hockey League and played in the Western Division. Their home games were played at AZ Ice Gilbert in Gilbert, Arizona . The organization was operated by Arizona Hockey Club, Inc, which also runs a local youth hockey program. The franchise, originally known as
102-761: 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
153-633: 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 ,
204-670: 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
255-599: 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
306-413: 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
357-521: 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
408-697: 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
459-1190: The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) took over the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Athletes. In 1888 there was both a NAAA and AAU Championships. NAAA competitions were held at various athletic clubs grounds. 1888 Manhattan AC grounds, New York, New York on Oct. 13, 1888. 1887 Manhattan AC grounds, New York, New York on Sept 17, 1887. 1886-2 NYAC grounds, Mott Haven, NY on Sept 18, 1886. 1886-1 Staten Island AC grounds, West Brighton, Staten Island on June 26, 1886. 1885 Manhattan AC grounds, New York, New York on June 13, 1885. 1884 Williamsburg AC grounds, Brooklyn, NY on Sept 28, 1884. 1883 NYAC grounds, Mott Haven, NY on June 2, 1883. 1882 Polo grounds, New York, New York on June 10, 1882. Note: June 11, 1882 Boston Globe included meet results. 1881 NYAC grounds, Mott Haven, NY on Sept 24, 1881. Note: Sept 25, 1881 Boston Globe had full meet results. 1880 NYAC grounds, Mott Haven, NY on Sept 25, 1880. Note: Sept 26, 1880 The Sun, New York, New York included meet results. 1879 NYAC grounds, Mott Haven, NY on Sept 27, 1879. 1879 George W Carr
510-573: 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,
561-757: The Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League and in NCAA Division I for the University of North Dakota . After one season and being named the coach of the year for 2017–18, St. Clair left to become a volunteer assistant coach for the NCAA Division I University of Maine . The organization then failed to find a new head coach in time to adequately recruit for the 2018–19 season and withdrew from participation. Amateur Athletic Union The Amateur Athletic Union ( AAU )
SECTION 10
#1732794202414612-790: 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
663-615: 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,
714-794: The Phoenix Polar Bears , joined the WSHL in 1999. In 2011, the owners of the Polar Bears dropped their WSHL membership when the league left USA Hockey sanctioning for the Amateur Athletic Union . The franchise was sold to Arizona Hockey Clubs, Inc. and was renamed as the Phoenix Knights. Colten St. Clair was named head coach and general manager in March 2017. St. Clair grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, before playing junior hockey for
765-486: 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
816-438: 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
867-678: 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
918-582: 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
969-590: 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
1020-586: 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
1071-632: 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
SECTION 20
#17327942024141122-579: The Amateur National Championships (1876 to 1879) were held for several years, several meetings took place in the New York area to create an Association of Amateur Athletes. The Association was mostly formed by Athletic Clubs (from USA and Canada) for uniformity and setting of rules and guidance of the various sports. Track and Field (Athletics) was one of the sports included in the formation of this Association. Starting in 1888,
1173-589: The Association's definition of "Amateur" and "professional" be redefined. Later these disagreements assisted in the takeover by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Post 1887 the Competition information can be found on the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships web page. In 1879 the meet doubled as the first NAAA Championship 1878 Mott Haven, NY on Oct 12, 1878. 1877 Mott Haven, NY on Sept 8, 1877. 1876 Mott Haven, NY on Sept 30, 1876. One of
1224-643: 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
1275-466: The N.A.A.A. was formed ...". A constitution was in the process of adoption. Jan 1880 the NAAA released the definition of what an "amateur" was. The 1880 and 1886 National Association of Amateur Athletes of America's Constitution and Bylaws are both available on-line. List of Associated Clubs and Rules are includes in both. In 1883 a twelve-page document, published in New York, was released under
1326-817: 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
1377-533: 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,
1428-565: 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
1479-785: 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
1530-933: 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
1581-587: 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
Phoenix Knights - Misplaced Pages Continue
1632-490: 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
1683-648: 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
1734-544: 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
1785-499: The name "Amateur Athlete." The document includes records of events. 1890: Jan 1, 1890: NAAA to be “merged” into the AAU. 1889: July 1889 & Dec 1889: Board of Manager Meetings in New York between AAU and NAAA took place to resolve a “merger”. 1888: Two separate organizations and two separate national championships existed: AAU and NAAA (National Association of Amateur Athletics). 1888: Sept 15, 1888 and Oct 7 at Manhattan Athletic Club, New York. Track & Field competition
1836-521: 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
1887-730: 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,
1938-605: 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
1989-504: 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
2040-624: 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
2091-434: 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
Phoenix Knights - Misplaced Pages Continue
2142-559: Was adopted for whom may compete in NAAA competitions. 1880: Nov 17, 1880: Executive Committee meeting was held to discuss if several athletes should be reinstated. 1880: By 1880 twelve clubs were part of the NAAA. In 1880 a set of amateur rules and amateur records were published by the National Association of Amateur Athletics at their 183 Broadway “headquarters”. The executive committee included George W. Carr. 1879: Evening of Sept 27, 1879 in New York. George Carr
2193-674: Was elected president (Convention held after the competition). 1879: April 22, 1879 (in New York) Formation of the NAAA (National Association of Amateur Athletics). Seven clubs became charter members. Note: March 25, 1878 a meeting of the American Association of Amateur Athletics was held at the Sturtevant House. This was fourth meeting held to define constitution and bylaws of the association. There were several athletes and several clubs requesting
2244-689: Was elected president, 1880 & 1881 & 1882 A. H. Curtis was elected president, 1883 & 1884 & 1885 Gilbert H Badeu elected president, and 1887 Walter Storm was elected. George W Carr and Walter Storm were from the Manhattan Athletic Club . A. H. Curtis was from the New York Athletic Club (NYAC). Gilbert H Badeu was from the Williamsburg Athletic Club. April 22, 1879: The Crimson (Cambridge) (reported on Nov 4, 1882), "In April, 1879
2295-559: 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
2346-493: Was originally scheduled on Sept 15, and was moved to Oct. 13, 1888 at Manhattan Athletic Club's grounds, New York. President of NCAAA and MAAAA was Walter Storm. 1885: March 1885: A sub-committee created (and adopted) a definition for "amateur athlete". 1882: June 12, 1882. Meeting in New York. A. H. Curtis was elected president. 1881: By 1881 twenty-one clubs were part of the NAAA. 1881: Sept 24, 1881. General Meeting in New York. 1881: Jan 12, 1881. As resolution
2397-536: 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
2448-575: 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
2499-409: 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
2550-416: 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. National Association of Amateur Athletes of America After
2601-418: 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
SECTION 50
#1732794202414#413586