With Veterans Day taking place in November, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is proud to honor and celebrate the brave men and women who serve our country. This year, the AAU connected with eleven (11) veterans who are involved with the AAU today to reflect on how their experiences in AAU sports helped shape their futures. 

Today, all of these veterans hold a significant role in AAU relations as well. Many of them are coaches, chairmen or chairwomen, officials, and event organizers for AAU today.

For this edition, we honor AAU Strength Sports' National Chair, Hal Pittman.

Hal Pittman, a now-retired one-star general, dedicated 30 years of service to the U.S. Navy after he graduated from Appalachian State University. Serving across the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and the Persian Gulf, Pittman held many roles across his tenure, starting as an enlisted sailor and becoming the senior chief communications officer during combat.

Pittman’s involvement with the Amateur Athletic Union began during his time in service, after going to the AAU Junior Olympic Games with his son in 2009. Inspired by this experience, he used his background in powerlifting and began coaching strength sports. After attending numerous AAU events, from AAU Junior Olympic Games to AAU World Championships, Pittman’s passion grew, pushing him to take more involvement in the AAU.

He has now worked on various projects, including the AAU National Awards Program and the AAU Strength Sports Hall of Fame. Today, Pittman holds chairmanship of AAU Strength Sports, while also working as a senior executive in federal service.

While serving in Afghanistan in 2012, Pittman had the opportunity to bring a group of Afghan officials from the Afghan National Olympic Committee to the United States to see U.S. facilities and organizations. He also sponsored 150 coaches involved in AAU sports to travel to the Afghan National Olympic Training Center, where they participated in multi-sport training. Due to his efforts, the Afghan National Powerlifting team was able to send a team to represent Afghanistan at the AAU Powerlifting World Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 2013 to 2015, serving as a testament to Pittman’s dedication to global change and sports.

“I love continuing to work with AAU,” Pittman says when discussing his long-standing time with the organization. When asked about qualities that defi ne success, whether it's within the military or in athletics, he says, “The bottom line is being persistent, the willingness to drive forward, not taking 'no' for an answer, and continuing to find a way.”

Hal Pittman is a strong example of creating a lifelong dedication to serving others. Whether it’s his time serving the United States Navy or assisting AAU athletes, he has given his all to the growth and development of those in need. Embodying persistence, determination, and leadership in every role he holds.

To watch more about Hal's story, click here.