RELEASE: AAU Track and Field Moving National Championships to Jacksonville, Bringing in Thousands of Athletes
01/10/2024
More than 4,000 athletes expected from July 7-13, 2024
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2024) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), in partnership with Visit Jacksonville, is excited to announce that Jacksonville will be the new home of the AAU Track and Field Primary Nationals and Club Championships.
More than 4,000 young track and field athletes, from the ages of 5 through 18, are expected to compete at the University of North Florida (UNF) from July 7-13, 2024.
“The AAU is grateful for our new partnership with Visit Jacksonville. The key to a successful event is community partnerships, and we look forward to collaborating on this economic impact driver for the city,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President.
Athletes from around the country, as well as internationally, will be traveling to the area to compete for a national championship title and the chance to qualify for the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
“As we strive to elevate Jacksonville as the southeast championship city, we are excited to welcome the AAU Track and Field Primary Nationals and Club Championships,” said Michael Corrigan, President & CEO of Visit Jacksonville. “Being the host city for these athletes, their families and supporters means we get to introduce a whole new audience to Jacksonville, and we look forward to showing them our world-class facilities and family-friendly amenities.”
UNF’s Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium was recently resurfaced and includes nine Olympic-quality lanes. With a capacity of 9,400, the AAU Primary Nationals and Club Championships can offer more participation opportunities as well as increased space for spectators.
“AAU Track and Field is eager to introduce our athletes to the state-of-the-art facility at UNF,” said Charles “Coach O” Oliver, AAU Track and Field National Chair. “With this move, we are able to offer more events, including pole vault, steeplechase, high jump, and triple jump.”
All field events can be held within the stadium, including multiple jump pits, pole vault locations, and areas for throwing events.
“The University of North Florida and its Athletic Department are thrilled to host the AAU Track & Field Championships at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium. We look forward to working with the AAU team in growing participation and support of their Primary Nationals and Club Championships,” said Nick Morrow, Director of Athletics at UNF. “We have hosted many significant track and field events over the past 12 years and believe our campus is a perfect location for this event. UNF will be proud hosts of the AAU Track and Field Championships.”
Previously, the event took place at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando.
For more information, please visit https://aautrackandfield.org/PrimaryClubChamp
ABOUT THE AAU:
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer sports event organizations in the country. As a multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports programs. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by more than 770,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.
ABOUT VISIT JACKSONVILLE:
Visit Jacksonville is an Accredited Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and responsible for marketing, selling and promoting Jacksonville as a leisure and meeting destination.
More than 4,000 young track and field athletes, from the ages of 5 through 18, are expected to compete at the University of North Florida (UNF) from July 7-13, 2024.
“The AAU is grateful for our new partnership with Visit Jacksonville. The key to a successful event is community partnerships, and we look forward to collaborating on this economic impact driver for the city,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President.
Athletes from around the country, as well as internationally, will be traveling to the area to compete for a national championship title and the chance to qualify for the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
“As we strive to elevate Jacksonville as the southeast championship city, we are excited to welcome the AAU Track and Field Primary Nationals and Club Championships,” said Michael Corrigan, President & CEO of Visit Jacksonville. “Being the host city for these athletes, their families and supporters means we get to introduce a whole new audience to Jacksonville, and we look forward to showing them our world-class facilities and family-friendly amenities.”
UNF’s Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium was recently resurfaced and includes nine Olympic-quality lanes. With a capacity of 9,400, the AAU Primary Nationals and Club Championships can offer more participation opportunities as well as increased space for spectators.
“AAU Track and Field is eager to introduce our athletes to the state-of-the-art facility at UNF,” said Charles “Coach O” Oliver, AAU Track and Field National Chair. “With this move, we are able to offer more events, including pole vault, steeplechase, high jump, and triple jump.”
All field events can be held within the stadium, including multiple jump pits, pole vault locations, and areas for throwing events.
“The University of North Florida and its Athletic Department are thrilled to host the AAU Track & Field Championships at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium. We look forward to working with the AAU team in growing participation and support of their Primary Nationals and Club Championships,” said Nick Morrow, Director of Athletics at UNF. “We have hosted many significant track and field events over the past 12 years and believe our campus is a perfect location for this event. UNF will be proud hosts of the AAU Track and Field Championships.”
Previously, the event took place at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando.
For more information, please visit https://aautrackandfield.org/PrimaryClubChamp
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ABOUT THE AAU:
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer sports event organizations in the country. As a multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports programs. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by more than 770,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.
ABOUT VISIT JACKSONVILLE:
Visit Jacksonville is an Accredited Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and responsible for marketing, selling and promoting Jacksonville as a leisure and meeting destination.
