activities · 7
what they do
direct service · 7
- Awarding Scholarships for Athletic and Academic ExcellenceCongratulates recipients of the AAU National Scholarship, recognizing their athletic and academic excellence.
- Awarding the AAU Sullivan Award Student-Athlete and Educator Recognition ProgramsAnnually awards the AAU Sullivan Award to the nation's best athlete at the Olympic, Collegiate, or similar elite level, recognizing athletic excellence since 1930.
- Honoring Individuals with the AAU Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award Professional and Organizational Achievement AwardsEstablishes and awards the AAU Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award to honor individuals who have significantly impacted amateur sports on and off the playing field, including past recipients like Muhammad Ali and Jim Thorpe.
- Organizing and Hosting Amateur Sports Programs and Events Adaptive Sports Programs for Youth with DisabilitiesProvides and organizes over 50 sports programs for nearly 800,000 participants of all ages at the grassroots level across the nation, including local, regional, and national events and championships.
- Providing Disaster Relief Emergency Supply DistributionProvided humanitarian aid for Hurricane Harvey & Irma relief efforts, including 170,000 meals, 10,000 non-perishable food items, 3,000 clothing items, and 5,000 bottles of water.
- Providing Insurance Coverage for AthletesOffers a multi-million dollar insurance policy, including liability and sport accident coverage, with club membership, providing up to $100,000 in sports accident insurance coverage for participants in AAU licensed events.
- Recognizing Volunteers and Hall of Fame Inductees Professional and Organizational Achievement AwardsPresents awards at National Convention and District Meetings to honor volunteers and accepts nominations for the AAU Strength Sports Hall of Fame and Annual National Awards.
strategies · 6
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Club support through insurance and governance Club SupportSupports local clubs by offering multi-million dollar insurance, event hosting rights, voting privileges, and insurance certificates, strengthening local capacity and organizational integration.
- Coach development as a pathway to athlete success coach developmentCoaches are emphasized as key figures in developing athletes not only in sports but also in life, indicating a strategic focus on coaching quality and mentorship as a mechanism for long-term athlete development.
- Event licensing and brand partnership model Event LicensingBy licensing events, the organization provides organizers with brand use, national promotion, marketing reach, and insurance coverage, creating a scalable infrastructure that extends its reach and ensures program quality.
- Extended membership benefits for broader participation Extended Benefit MembershipOffers Extended Benefit Membership (AB) that includes insurance coverage for non-AAU events under specific conditions, lowering barriers to participation and increasing member value.
- Grassroots sports development for all ages grassroots sports developmentThe organization focuses on delivering sports programs at the grassroots level for participants of all ages, rooted in the philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," to ensure broad and inclusive access to amateur athletics.
- Standard setting and uniformity in amateur sports standard settingThe organization establishes consistent standards across amateur sports to ensure fairness, safety, and national coherence in competition and program delivery.
named programs · 6
what they call their work
AAU Cares
A program focused on community involvement and support.
AAU Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award
An award recognizing athletes who have made significant contributions to amateur sports on and off the field.
AAU Junior Olympic Games
A multi-sport event for young athletes.
AAU National Scholarships
Scholarships provided to deserving athletes.
AAU Sullivan Award
An award recognizing the top amateur athlete in the United States.
Urban Initiative
A program aimed at promoting sports in urban communities.
relationships · 9
who they work with
- International Olympic Committee (IOC) Partner — Worked with the IOC to reinstate Jim Thorpe's Olympic medals.
- International School Sports Federation (ISF) Partner — AAU athletes participate in their Gymnasiade event.
- MLB Pitch Smart Partner — Listed as a resource, indicating a partnership or endorsement related to player safety guidelines.
- NCSA Sports Partner — Listed under membership section, suggesting a partnership related to athlete resources.
- NCSA Sports Partner — Mentioned in the membership section for athletes, parents, coaches, and clubs.
- NCSA Sports Partner — Mentioned under membership section for athletes.
- Positive Coaching Alliance Partner — Listed under governance and policies.
- Positive Coaching Alliance Partner — Mentioned under Governance and Policies, indicating a relationship or adherence to their principles.
- USA Football Partner — Provides certifications for football.