ORLANDO, Fla. (March 18, 2019) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) announced today the nominees for the title of top amateur athlete have been narrowed to a panel of eight finalists for the 89th James E. Sullivan Award.
Those athletes are as follows:
·         Mikaela Foecke, Women’s Volleyball, University of Nebraska
·         Rachel Garcia, Softball, University of California – Los Angeles
·         Townley Haas, Swimming, University of Texas
·         Aleia Hobbs, Track and Field, Louisiana State University
·         Morgan Hurd, Gymnastics, USA Gymnastics (committed to University of Florida)
·         Luke Maye, Men’s Basketball, University of North Carolina
·         McKenzie Milton, Football, University of Central Florida
·         Kathryn Plummer, Women’s Volleyball, Stanford University
 
The AAU Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States, including famed Olympians Michelle Kwan (2001), Michael Phelps (2003), Paul Hamm (2004) and Shawn Johnson (2008); University of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning (1997), Penn State guard John Urschel (2013); 200m backstroke world record holder Missy Franklin (2012) and University of Wisconsin setter Lauren Carlini (2016).
 
“I am amazed every year at the caliber of these athletes. It is an honor, and I am proud to have such remarkable athletes representing finalists for this year’s AAU James E. Sullivan Award,” said Dr. Roger J. Goudy, President and CEO of the AAU. “The AAU is the largest multi-sport organization in the world, so we are delighted to provide a venue for this elite class of finalists to compete for the title of top amateur athlete.”
Voting for the award is open to the public at https://aausports.wyng.com/AAUSullivanAwardFinalists. Finalist voting opens today and will close on Friday, March 22 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced at the AAU James E. Sullivan Award Ceremony on Tuesday, April 16 at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan. This year’s event will be hosted by 1981 AAU Sullivan Award winner Carl Lewis.