Former AAU President Passes

11/09/2022


Henry Forrest dedicated his life to serving and protecting youth through sports

ORLANDO, Fla. – It is with great sadness that the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) announces the passing of former AAU President Henry Forrest on Monday, November 7, 2022.

The forty-sixth president of the AAU, Forrest joined the organization in 1980 as a boys’ basketball coach in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

In 1983, he was elected the Boys Basketball District Director for the Arkansas AAU District and later served on the AAU Boys Basketball Executive Committee. 

Starting in 2000, Forrest served as an AAU Boys Basketball Commissioner for AAU national tournaments each summer.

A life member of the AAU since 2005, Forrest was also part of numerous AAU administrative committees through the years. These included serving on the insurance and legislation committees in the past  as well as the AAU Compliance Committee where he served as chair from 2003 – 2014.

He was honored for his dedication and service to the AAU with the AAU President’s Leadership Award in 2003.

Henry Forrest

Henry Forrest speaking after he received the AAU President’s Leadership Award at the 2003 AAU Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

Prior to AAU President, Forrest held both second (2008 – 2011) and first vice-president (2011) positions within the AAU.  Forrest stepped into the president’s role after the untimely passing of former AAU President Louis Stout in 2011.

A former Chief Bailiff of the First Division Circuit Court in Little Rock, Arkansas Forrest also was affiliated with the Carver YMCA and Little Rock Boys Club where he served on each organization’s board of directors.

Forrest is survived by his wife Ruby, son Shawn, daughter Chanera and five (5) grandchildren.  The AAU extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones at this time.


The funeral services are Nov 19, 2022 at 11:00 Little Rock, AR.  Greater Second Baptist, 5615 Geyer Springs, Little Rock, AR 72209

 


Henry Forrest
Then 46th AAU President Henry Forrest (right) with 1968 Olympic track legend Tommie Smith at the 2012 AAU Convention in Oahu, Hawaii