RECAP: 2019 AAU Leadership Conference
10/03/2019
The 2019 AAU Leadership Conference brought together various AAU leaders from across the country to the Anaheim, California area September 25 – 28, 2019.
PHOTO GALLERY
ANAHEIM, Calif. – The 2019 AAU Leadership Conference brought together various AAU leaders from across the country to the Anaheim, California area September 25 – 28, 2019.
The purpose of the Conference was to bring together AAU leadership for educational workshops, meetings of the various sport and administrative committees and to conduct the overall business of the Union.
“The Union is healthy. The Union is strong.” stated Dr. Goudy as he welcomed AAU leadership to the 2019 Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California on September 26.
STATE OF THE UNION
During the AAU State of the Union luncheon on Thursday, September 26, Dr. Goudy spoke at length about the AAU’s future – building on where the AAU has been and where it will be going in the amateur sports market place.
The AAU organization continues to grow as it explores additional opportunities, constantly adapting to continue to position itself as the leader in amateur sports. Two new sports were added this year, Chess and Cornhole, bringing the AAU sport program to more than 45 sports.
Additionally, Dr. Goudy stressed the need for the AAU to seek new relationships with other national organizations, as well as globally.
One such partnership is with the National Fitness Foundation and Interactive Health Technologies (IHT) who will be working in conjunction with the AAU to modernize the Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP).
“Years ago, we were the administrative agency of the President’s Council in the Youth Fitness Test, and now we are back in that business,” said Dr. Goudy. “Physical activity is critical to the future children’s health and well-being, and the AAU is now the only organization in the country to manage in-school and out-of-school youth sports and fitness programs.”
GUEST SPEAKER
During Friday's breakfast, keynote speaker, Vera Jones, writer, broadcast analyst and Syracuse Basketball alum, energized the audience on anecdotes from her life and what it means to persevere in the face of great challenges.
PYFP WORKSHOP
Along with sport and administrative meetings, Friday’s session saw IHT representatives Jen Ohlson and Brandon Wolff demoing new advances in the IHT Spirit System® assessment and data collection software. Several AAU national staff in attendance took part in an interactive session to learn more about the new format.
“[PYFP] gives us the vehicle to get back in the schools and expand on all of our programs,” Dr. Goudy said. “The AAU shield will synonymous with physical fitness and healthy lifestyles in schools across the country.”
FORUM SESSIONS
Forum sessions updating attendees on various initiatives were also held Thursday, Septemeber 26 First Vice-President Rusty Buchanan and National Treasurer Jo Mirza spoke on global and urban initiatives in the AAU respectively.
On the national front, the AAU Urban Initiative is continually growing. Mirza and AAU New York District Governor Jim Fox are working in the Albany County locale and others to give urban area youth the chance to play sports like flag football with the New York Police Department, as well as teach them how to be good citizens.
Mr. Mirza spoke at length about a new relationship with the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC). The AAU will be brought to kids everywhere. AAU for everybody! With the help of ACLC, the AAU will be bringing sports and fitness opportunities to churches around the nation. “Their goal is to reach children, to help them grow spiritually, and our goal is to reach children to help them, as human beings.” said Mirza.
The AAU’s global initiative was also on the forefront of the Conference. “People want to come here and compete. We are the best at what we do.” said Dr. Goudy.
Over the years, AAU Volleyball has held an international division at their AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, drawing more than 17 countries to compete in the United States. Now, thanks to the efforts of First Vice President Rusty Buchanan and Sports Council Chair Mike Killpack, countries like China and Australia respectively are interested in bringing the AAU standard and format to their hometowns.
“Our brand is huge around the world,” said Dr. Goudy. “Our youth development in this country is far superior then anywhere in the world. Everyone wants to come here and everyone wants us to go there. We need to bring this world closer together.”
Rounding out the day were forum sessions on successfully running events and learning more about AAU membership, compliance and finance.
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
AAU leaders continue to look for ways to innovate and expand its programming. Educational seminars were held on Saturday, September 28 on including sessions on Understanding the AAU Codebook and Leading your Organization by a representative from longtime AAU partner, Positive Coaching Alliance.
Also, AAU Second Vice President, Joe Gura, presented on the AAU Care program. It is our way to give back to the community and making a mark through social responsibility.
In addition, during a nighttime reception at the Conference, AAU leadership and national staff took part in an AAU Cares Reception, packing 2,000 hygiene kits for the local Anaheim YMCA. Each kits included shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, body lotion, towel and a heartwarming note from volunteers.
NOTABLE 2019 EVENTS
Throughout the conference, AAU leaders looked back to the 2019 AAU membership year. Several events from 2019 were highlighted by Dr. Goudy for outstanding participation and performance. Watch 2019 AAU Sports Video
The 2019 AAU Junior Olympic Games had a fantastic year in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event had more than 18,000 competitors with a record-breaking 13, 601 competing in track and field, marking it the largest youth track meet in the world.
“If you haven’t been out to the AAU Junior Olympic Games lately, you haven’t been to the Junior Olympic Games,” said Dr. Goudy. “It is an unbelievable undertaking. Until you see that many heats of the 100m dash, 200m dash or world records being set in each age group of the competition there, it is an unbelievable undertaking there that goes off seamlessly!” A huge hats off to AAU Junior Olympic Games National Chair Paul Campbell and AAU Track and Field National Chair Charles Oliver.
The 46th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championship also saw another record breaking year with 2,805 participating teams, 45,000 athletes, 10,000 coaches, 585 referees and 125,000 spectators. “That is our event folks. That is an AAU event,” said Dr. Goudy. “We sell out everything down there in Orlando.”
The AAU West Coast Events, put on by AAU Pacific District Governor Matt Williams out in Reno, Las Vegas and Utah, are also producing phenomenal numbers. The 2019 AAU Jam On It Memorial Day Basketball Tournament in Reno, Nevada hosted more than 1,200 basketball teams, totaling 15,600 athletes.
“Nobody does [youth sports] better than us,” concluded Dr. Goudy. “Our profile at the AAU has never been better.”
AWARDS RECIPIENTS
The AAU is comprised of dedicated volunteers whose efforts drive the success of the Union.
At the 2019 AAU Leadership Conference, the AAU recognized some of its most outstanding volunteers through the Paul Campbell Award and the AAU Volunteer Hall of Fame. The AAU thanks these dedicated volunteers for their tireless efforts in making AAU the leader in amateur sports in America.
Paul Campbell Award Winners:
Peg Adams, Georgia AAU
Jo Mirza, AAU Treasurer
Keith Noll, AAU National Hockey and Football Chair
Jacques Raphael, Florida AAU Lieutenant Governor (not pictured)
AAU Volunteer Hall of Fame Inductees:
Bob Johnson (posthumously)
Gigi Lemon, Florida AAU
Jim Fox, New York Metropolitan AAU
Kathy Cate, Southeastern AAU
Leora Washington, Southeastern AAU
ANAHEIM, Calif. – The 2019 AAU Leadership Conference brought together various AAU leaders from across the country to the Anaheim, California area September 25 – 28, 2019.
The purpose of the Conference was to bring together AAU leadership for educational workshops, meetings of the various sport and administrative committees and to conduct the overall business of the Union.
“The Union is healthy. The Union is strong.” stated Dr. Goudy as he welcomed AAU leadership to the 2019 Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California on September 26.
STATE OF THE UNION
During the AAU State of the Union luncheon on Thursday, September 26, Dr. Goudy spoke at length about the AAU’s future – building on where the AAU has been and where it will be going in the amateur sports market place.
The AAU organization continues to grow as it explores additional opportunities, constantly adapting to continue to position itself as the leader in amateur sports. Two new sports were added this year, Chess and Cornhole, bringing the AAU sport program to more than 45 sports.
Additionally, Dr. Goudy stressed the need for the AAU to seek new relationships with other national organizations, as well as globally.
One such partnership is with the National Fitness Foundation and Interactive Health Technologies (IHT) who will be working in conjunction with the AAU to modernize the Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP).
“Years ago, we were the administrative agency of the President’s Council in the Youth Fitness Test, and now we are back in that business,” said Dr. Goudy. “Physical activity is critical to the future children’s health and well-being, and the AAU is now the only organization in the country to manage in-school and out-of-school youth sports and fitness programs.”
GUEST SPEAKER
During Friday's breakfast, keynote speaker, Vera Jones, writer, broadcast analyst and Syracuse Basketball alum, energized the audience on anecdotes from her life and what it means to persevere in the face of great challenges.
PYFP WORKSHOP
Along with sport and administrative meetings, Friday’s session saw IHT representatives Jen Ohlson and Brandon Wolff demoing new advances in the IHT Spirit System® assessment and data collection software. Several AAU national staff in attendance took part in an interactive session to learn more about the new format.
“[PYFP] gives us the vehicle to get back in the schools and expand on all of our programs,” Dr. Goudy said. “The AAU shield will synonymous with physical fitness and healthy lifestyles in schools across the country.”
FORUM SESSIONS
Forum sessions updating attendees on various initiatives were also held Thursday, Septemeber 26 First Vice-President Rusty Buchanan and National Treasurer Jo Mirza spoke on global and urban initiatives in the AAU respectively.
On the national front, the AAU Urban Initiative is continually growing. Mirza and AAU New York District Governor Jim Fox are working in the Albany County locale and others to give urban area youth the chance to play sports like flag football with the New York Police Department, as well as teach them how to be good citizens.
Mr. Mirza spoke at length about a new relationship with the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC). The AAU will be brought to kids everywhere. AAU for everybody! With the help of ACLC, the AAU will be bringing sports and fitness opportunities to churches around the nation. “Their goal is to reach children, to help them grow spiritually, and our goal is to reach children to help them, as human beings.” said Mirza.
The AAU’s global initiative was also on the forefront of the Conference. “People want to come here and compete. We are the best at what we do.” said Dr. Goudy.
Over the years, AAU Volleyball has held an international division at their AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, drawing more than 17 countries to compete in the United States. Now, thanks to the efforts of First Vice President Rusty Buchanan and Sports Council Chair Mike Killpack, countries like China and Australia respectively are interested in bringing the AAU standard and format to their hometowns.
“Our brand is huge around the world,” said Dr. Goudy. “Our youth development in this country is far superior then anywhere in the world. Everyone wants to come here and everyone wants us to go there. We need to bring this world closer together.”
Rounding out the day were forum sessions on successfully running events and learning more about AAU membership, compliance and finance.
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
AAU leaders continue to look for ways to innovate and expand its programming. Educational seminars were held on Saturday, September 28 on including sessions on Understanding the AAU Codebook and Leading your Organization by a representative from longtime AAU partner, Positive Coaching Alliance.
Also, AAU Second Vice President, Joe Gura, presented on the AAU Care program. It is our way to give back to the community and making a mark through social responsibility.
In addition, during a nighttime reception at the Conference, AAU leadership and national staff took part in an AAU Cares Reception, packing 2,000 hygiene kits for the local Anaheim YMCA. Each kits included shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, body lotion, towel and a heartwarming note from volunteers.
NOTABLE 2019 EVENTS
Throughout the conference, AAU leaders looked back to the 2019 AAU membership year. Several events from 2019 were highlighted by Dr. Goudy for outstanding participation and performance. Watch 2019 AAU Sports Video
The 2019 AAU Junior Olympic Games had a fantastic year in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event had more than 18,000 competitors with a record-breaking 13, 601 competing in track and field, marking it the largest youth track meet in the world.
“If you haven’t been out to the AAU Junior Olympic Games lately, you haven’t been to the Junior Olympic Games,” said Dr. Goudy. “It is an unbelievable undertaking. Until you see that many heats of the 100m dash, 200m dash or world records being set in each age group of the competition there, it is an unbelievable undertaking there that goes off seamlessly!” A huge hats off to AAU Junior Olympic Games National Chair Paul Campbell and AAU Track and Field National Chair Charles Oliver.
The 46th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championship also saw another record breaking year with 2,805 participating teams, 45,000 athletes, 10,000 coaches, 585 referees and 125,000 spectators. “That is our event folks. That is an AAU event,” said Dr. Goudy. “We sell out everything down there in Orlando.”
The AAU West Coast Events, put on by AAU Pacific District Governor Matt Williams out in Reno, Las Vegas and Utah, are also producing phenomenal numbers. The 2019 AAU Jam On It Memorial Day Basketball Tournament in Reno, Nevada hosted more than 1,200 basketball teams, totaling 15,600 athletes.
“Nobody does [youth sports] better than us,” concluded Dr. Goudy. “Our profile at the AAU has never been better.”
AWARDS RECIPIENTS
The AAU is comprised of dedicated volunteers whose efforts drive the success of the Union.
At the 2019 AAU Leadership Conference, the AAU recognized some of its most outstanding volunteers through the Paul Campbell Award and the AAU Volunteer Hall of Fame. The AAU thanks these dedicated volunteers for their tireless efforts in making AAU the leader in amateur sports in America.
Paul Campbell Award Winners:
Peg Adams, Georgia AAU
Jo Mirza, AAU Treasurer
Keith Noll, AAU National Hockey and Football Chair
Jacques Raphael, Florida AAU Lieutenant Governor (not pictured)
AAU Volunteer Hall of Fame Inductees:
Bob Johnson (posthumously)
Gigi Lemon, Florida AAU
Jim Fox, New York Metropolitan AAU
Kathy Cate, Southeastern AAU
Leora Washington, Southeastern AAU
| Paul Campbell Passionate Leadership Award | ||
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Keith Noll
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| 2019 AAU Hall of Fame Inductees | ||
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From left to right: - Jim Fox, Gigi Lemon, Dr. Roger Goudy, Leora Washington, Kathy Cate
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