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The AAU Karate National High School Varsity Program recognizes high school students who demonstrate commitment not only to Karate, but also to academics, leadership, service, and participation in AAU Karate.
Many Karate athletes dedicate hundreds of hours each year to training, competition, coaching, officiating, and supporting their dojo and community. The Varsity Program provides these student-athletes with an opportunity to receive national recognition for that commitment, even when Karate is not offered as a varsity sport by their school.
Who Can Participate?
The program is open to eligible high school students in grades 9–12 who maintain a current AAU Athlete Membership and actively participate in Karate.
Students may attend public, private, charter, online, or homeschool programs.
Varsity Requirements
To earn the AAU Karate National Varsity Letter, students must:
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
- Maintain a current AAU Athlete Membership
- Actively train in Karate
- Complete at least 75 verified hours of Karate-related activity during the program year
- Participate in at least two AAU Karate activities or events
- Complete the required application and instructor verification
Eligible activities may include:
- Karate training
- Kata
- Kobudo
- Kumite
- AAU Karate competitions
- Training camps and clinics
- Teaching or assisting younger students
- Junior officiating
- Assistant coaching
- Tournament volunteering
- Inclusive Karate assistance
- Approved community-service and leadership activities
Students do not have to win a tournament or championship to qualify. The program recognizes commitment, participation, development, leadership, and service.
AAU Karate Scholar Athlete
Students who meet all Varsity requirements and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher may also earn the designation AAU Karate Varsity Scholar Athlete.
This additional recognition celebrates athletes who demonstrate excellence both in the dojo and in the classroom.
What Do Varsity Athletes Receive?
Students who successfully complete the program may receive:
- AAU Karate National Varsity Letter/Patch
- AAU Karate Varsity certificate
- Varsity recognition insignia
- National recognition through AAU Karate
- School recognition materials that may be presented to the student's principal or athletic director
- Eligibility for additional Varsity and Scholar Athlete recognition
Returning athletes may earn additional annual Varsity recognition, with special distinction available to students who complete the program throughout their high school careers.
More Than Competition
AAU Karate believes that becoming an outstanding martial artist involves more than earning medals.
The Varsity Program is built around five areas of student development:
Karate • Academics • AAU Participation • Leadership • Service
Whether a student competes, helps teach younger athletes, develops as a junior official, volunteers at an AAU event, or assists an Inclusive Karate participant, those contributions can be part of their Varsity journey.
Recognition at AAU Karate Nationals
Varsity athletes may be recognized annually in conjunction with the AAU Karate National Championships, including recognition of Scholar Athletes, graduating seniors, Four-Year Varsity Athletes, and other outstanding participants.
Attendance at Nationals is not required to earn the Varsity Letter.
School Recognition
The AAU Karate Varsity Letter is a national AAU recognition. Individual schools determine their own policies regarding official school varsity letters, athletic awards, and recognition of independent or non-school-sponsored sports.
AAU Karate may provide successful participants with documentation that can be presented to their school administration requesting recognition of their achievement.
Excellence in the Dojo. Excellence in the Classroom. Leadership in the Community.
Register today for the AAU Karate National High School Varsity Program.
