2022 AAU National Convention - Program

Welcome to the 128th AAU National Convention!

We are pleased to have you in attendance at the 128th AAU National Convention. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to youth sports and for making the Amateur Athletic Union the best amateur sport organization in the world.

I want to personally welcome you to Orlando, home of the AAU National Headquarters. We are happy to be back at the Rosen Centre this year!

The AAU is SOARing to new heights with our largest membership year in the history of the AAU. What is SOAR? Strengths: What do we do well? Opportunities: What are the possibilities and innovations? Aspirations: What do we care about? Results: How do we know we are succeeding? SOAR creates the platform for collectively have those conversations as we strategically plan for the future. I would like to take credit for the SOAR approach, but this is thanks to Michael Brunker as we discuss strategic planning for the AAU. Think about these analysis tools when you are in your meetings this week. How can we continue to propel the AAU into the future and SOAR?

On Wednesday, be sure to attend the State of the Union Luncheon at 12:00 pm. Later that evening, enjoy the Orlando weather and stop by the Welcome Reception outside by the pool.

Be sure to pay a visit to our Exhibitors who continue to support the AAU. They will be located in the Ballroom F/G on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Collect a gold star from each one and turn in to receive a cool prize! Join us for the Exhibit Hall Reception on Thursday from 6:30 pm 8:30 pm.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we will also have some great education sessions on Social Media, District Compliance & IRS, Working with Parks and Rec, Sports and Nutrition, and the return of Jeopardy with Jackie!

Enjoy your time at the Convention. What better time to SOAR than right now?

Sincerely,

Jennings “ Rusty

Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan

AAU President and CEO

Buchanan

Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan

AAU National President’s Report

SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS!

Records are made to be broken! 722,272 members in 2022. What a milestone for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).

The Largest number of registered Member’s in the 134-year history of the AAU!

Partnerships

The Disney relationship continues to be the cornerstone of our national summer event season and our return to ESPN Wide World of Sports was great for all parties!

Our restructured agreement with Disney resulted in a reallocation of revenue sources among the two parties resulting in over:

• $3.5 million in additional revenue to the AAU in 2021

• $4.5 million in additional revenue to the AAU in 2022

• $8 million in new revenue over 2 years from this restructured deal with Disney!

By bringing the right players to the table we are able to engage with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission who arranged for us to present to the Orange County Sports Incentive Fund. The result was an award of:

• $1.4 million to host the already existing events in Orlando through 2024. We will be able to request additional funds in 2025.

Connect Sports Marketing

The partnership with Connect Sports, who is the premier industry event operator for one-on-one business opportunities with incredible networking experiences for the AAU, paid 100% of the travel costs for AAU to attend. At the end of the conference AAU was presented with a $100,000 check two years in a row! This has generated:

• $200,000 of new revenue

Throughout the conference this year, there were over 500 appointments with prospective host cities and facilities! So many new opportunities for the AAU to continue soaring!

The AAU James E. Sullivan Award Development Deal was announced that Fox Sports is to broadcast the 2023 AAU James E. Sullivan Award Ceremony!

In continuing in the spirit of soaring high this year, Sports Stories, Inc., media partner for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award, announced a Developmental Deal Agreement (DDA) with Fox Sports Media Group to bring the prestigious award ceremony to the network in 2023.

Sports Stories and the AAU will develop the 93rd AAU Sullivan Award show concept for FOX Sports in conjunction with Emmy Award winning producer Eddie Delbridge of Live Digital Entertainment. Sports Stories and Live Digital Entertainment will also produce and distribute the 92nd AAU Sullivan Award Ceremony, which will take place December 8th, 2022 in Santa Monica, CA!

Nominations are in for the 2022 award and voting will open in the coming weeks.

This year, we also had National Media Exposure from several outlets.

• ESPN3 broadcasted Basketball and Volleyball

• CNN “Champions for Change” series at the AAU Junior Olympic Games

• Worldwide broadcast on the Olympic Channel of the Beach Volleyball ISF Gymnasiade

• AAU Girls’ Basketball 30 second commercials on ESPNU and ESPN+ during the broadcast of the WBHOF Induction Ceremony

• AAU Men’s Basketball on the American Forces Network

• Multiple viral medal clips

Our Social Media is also soaring in views!

!RECORD BREAKING YEAR!

• Track and Field, Instagram Reel Goes Viral! Generating 1,097,087 likes, 33.7 million views and 2,122 comments.

o Overall, the @AAUTrackandField instagram account has seen an increase of +247.5% followers from 2021 to 2022.

• AAU Volleyball Instagram Reel Goes Viral! 4 million views and counting!

o AAU Volleyball IG account reached +6,092% more accounts (4.4 million) and engaged 271,000 accounts, a +10,189% increase

• Boys’ Basketball, Instagram reel generated 947,000 views!

• Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony (son of former NBA player and current TV analyst Greg Anthony) was also featured on an AAU Basketball IG Reel (see below) generating more than 325,000 views!

A big thanks must go out to ALL, on this milestone in our history! The Governors, the National Sport Chair, the District Sports Directors and our National Staff, all deserve a big pat on the back for A JOB WELL DONE!

We finished the last fiscal year with unprecedented numbers in both total growth and individual sports. Volleyball stays the #1 sport in the AAU as well as setting a record with 4,450 teams at our Nationals in Orlando!

Track and Field had its best year in history with 79,135 moving it to #3 on our top sport list and wrestling also had its best year! Again, CONGRATULATIONS to all!

As we are busy soaring, did you know the AAU is now in Target? Nationwide retail store, Target, is now placing AAU branded volleyballs in 1,700 Target retail locations across the country!

This year we distributed roughly 1000 sport balls that were collected along with Track & Field equipment to school kids in Kosovo.

Your dedication, passion, and continued commitment to our mission of Sports For All, Forever drives the AAU to provide athletes the very best participation opportunities and event experience of any amateur sports organization in the United States!

Yours in Sports, Rusty Buchanan

Rusty Buchanan President & CEO

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AAU National 1st Vice President’s Report

I would like to personally welcome all of you to the 128th AAU National Convention in Orlando, Florida. It’s a very exciting time in the AAU. In 2022, AAU memberships, licensed events and athlete participation were at all time record highs. We may have had a few stumbles through the pandemic, but now the National AAU Program is alive and well. Due to the hard work and dedication from our districts, sport committees, staff, coaches, volunteers and event operators, we showed our athletes that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Congratulations to all the sports for our record numbers.

As national chairman of volleyball, I want to send a shout out to the volleyball committee on their banner year! Volleyball reached a record 230,000 + memberships, crushing the past record by 54,000 + memberships set last year. This year’s AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, at times using 212 courts, had 3,353 girls’ teams and 679 boys’ teams participating. The grand total of 4,332 volleyball teams participating at nationals, blew up our past record by over 900 teams. This volleyball event, considered the largest youth event in the world, brought an economic impact to Orlando, Florida of over 200 million dollars.

As we turn the page and look to the future, we must continue to meet the needs of our districts and sports committees. We must continue to promote the AAU brand, and the AAU shield. To do this, we must drastically improve our digital marketplace, social media, and all communication resources. Our financial foundation, partnerships and sponsorships are strong. I believe that we must continue my vision of RETAIN, IMPROVE, and EXPAND. The AAU and leadership must first, service our current membership, clubs, districts, and district sport chairs by continuing to provide events and opportunities for our current membership. Next, we must improve our communications while provide more events and opportunities, thus enhancing the AAU experience for our membership. And third, we need to expand, by improving and enhancing our membership’s AAU experience, we can expand memberships, partnerships, etc.

As you attend this year’s convention and conduct the business of the AAU, let us be reminded that we have the trust of every AAU member and athlete. Trusting that we will work together to make sure that we are providing a safe and fair environment for them to participate in.

It has been an honor serving as your 1st Vice President this past year. I believe that AAU people are the best. From our athletes, coaches, administrators, to our staff and volunteers, we have the most caring and knowledgeable people in the world! As our former leader once said “Sports can change the world ” Our potential is endless! Let us unite, come together as an organization and help serve the people of this country through leadership and sports. You are our greatest assets. Please enjoy your time in Orlando, and have a great convention.

I encourage and welcome you to seek me out, renew our relationships or meet for the first time, give me your ideas and vision for the AAU. I am always listening. Remember “WE ARE AAU!”

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your 1st Vice President

Sincerely,

Joe Gura

Joe Gura

AAU National 1st Vice President

Cynthia Trombly-Martin

AAU National Secretary’s Report

“People generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for,” taken from To Kill a Mockinbird.

This my final national officer report is filled with a mix of logic and emotion. It is an incredible science that of the human mind. How we process the masses of information that is thrown at us in lightning speed all day, every day all of our lives. How we process and react to the information is greatly influenced by the experiences of our life thus far, emotionally and physically.

It is fascinating how different we are as none of us have had the same collection of emotional responses and physical experiences. On the other hand we are so very much alike in our physical makeup and physical needs. We all need nourishment but we all do not like the same nourishment!

Now put us all in the same situation and attempt to have us see eye to eye on any one topic. An impossibility! It has been well said in a variety of ways by several of our great leaders that “you can’t please everyone”.

As we gather here this week at the 128th AAU National Convention, the air is thick with political diversity and strong ideas as to where this union should be heading. We will all not process this information given to us in the same manner. What will this mean to our organization? Will it split us, will some leave and not return? Or will the diversity of opinions bring us closer together to build the AAU higher and stronger than ever?

It is my opinion that our collective minds are so powerful and focused on the continuation of this beloved organization that the best path forward will be chosen. I look forward to putting the battle swords down and returning to the jobs that we need to complete. WELL DONE IS BETTER THAN WELL SAID.

In the first four years as a national officer it was a great pleasure to be part of this organization that had found its voice again and was working together through spirited discussion.

The second four years started as a huge leap forward for the AAU in new alliances and a step forward on the world stage. The challenge at that time was to balance the world with our grass roots and to keep the focus on your members at home.

Then COVID 19 hit. The world shut down, AAU had to shutter its programs. Crisis was presented everywhere. Decisions had to be made in the best interest of the future of the AAU. It was remarkable that the AAU came out not only intact but even stronger than before.

It is said that out of bad comes good. I have deep faith and I am looking to the good ahead.

As my terms end as your National Secretary, I am not leaving the AAU. I am staying at my post as an AAU member, helping guide the AAU towards a modern, competitive youth sports organization. I have returned to the position of Governor of the Michigan District of the AAU. The time as Michigan Governor has been a proud time for me with the AAU and I am honored to continue in that role. I have taken on several other very important tasks as a member of the new Task Force formed by the National Board of Directors and as the chair of the new Code Book Committee.

I pray that each of you are stepping back from time to time, enjoying your AAU roots as well as leaping forward and taking on large and important tasks to grow and improve the union.

I pray for our leaders for the next 4 years, whoever they may be. I pray they will be guided by wisdom, truthfulness and kindness.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the AAU as national secretary for the past years. It has been the great honor of my AAU life bestowed upon me by my peers.

Yours forever in the AAU,

Cindi Trombly-Martin

Cindi Trombly Martin AAU National Secretary

Jo Mirza

AAU National Treasurer’s Report

Dear AAU Members,

In the history of the Amateur Athletic Union, the stakes have never been higher. Although the AAU came into existence in the 19th century; and although it is now the 21st century, one could argue that we are still operating as an organization as though we were still the 19th century! It is time for us to rethink how we are conducting the actual business end of this organization. We need an “up to date” perspective.

The AAU and its leadership is under pressure on every level of governance. We face challenges on a daily basis from local, district, regional and national competitors. We have more competition and better competition to our core business, than ever before.

The AAU, being the largest incumbent player in the amateur youth sport industry, is facing a modern world in which our influence and power is in decline. We are not alone in this; there is a shift in the locus of power for all of the incumbents in our industry. The sooner we address this situation the better our chances for continued growth and prosperity will be.

We are proud of record membership numbers in 2021, as we should be. However, if you take a historical review of membership numbers, it will show us to be on an anemic growth curve.

As an organization we must understand clearly the difficulties we face every day. We are rightly concerned about the unstable economic conditions that will certainly arise in the future, as evidenced by Covid19; a clear economic warning.

I have a few suggestions for the AAU as an organization that you may find helpful.

To survive and prosper we need to be working toward strategic planning and implementing quantifiable goals; these are known as Key Point Indicators (KPI) and Manage by Objective (MBO).

We are a membership driven organization. Everything we provide is based on our customer’s goodwill and perception. We need to continually put our members first. Every decision we make as leaders should be guided by the concept of “constituency first.”

Because the programs and services we provide must be based on our member’s needs and perception, the AAU needs to invest heavily in membership research to ensure we are creating products and services that meet our constituents’ actual needs.

Additionally I’d like to suggest that the AAU leadership needs to become proactive. The leadership needs to understand the commercial opportunity of each of the sports we service, as well as the potential opportunities of other sports not currently offered by us. AAU Leadership needs to know clearly what the total market size is and how we can position the AAU within that market.

Also, we really need to start thinking globally. The globalization of our brand is of paramount importance to our future success.

Our best and brightest members should be tasked with the job of identifying how we can participate in, and make an impact on, these markets. Currently there are both national and international markets we are not participating in. This is an organizational error.

Our approach to our potential members, who are our customers, should be to sell the idea of both a national and global AAU. We should also be selling AAU history and AAU culture along with the products and services we provide.

It is very important to sell the concept of our entire AAU team to our potential members and participants. We should be highlighting our incredible team members and the amazing volunteers in our current organization. Our potential customers, our current members, will buy into our organization as much or as little as we ourselves currently do!

In addition, we absolutely need to first inventory and then understand our own competitive landscape. One key strategy for a successful implementation is knowing and conveying how unique and different we are from other organizations in our market. We need to understand and show why we should be selected over other multi sports organizations.

Finally, I suggest having an open and honest discussion within our leadership concerning the viability and possibility of strategic planning and the very crucial possibility of forming strategic partnerships. The AAU needs to understand that this is exactly what our current competition is doing.

In conclusion, if I am fortunate enough to be allowed by you to continue to serve the AAU, I will do everything in my power to inspire our staff and volunteers to move our organization forward while implementing the suggestions I have briefly outlined above.

The AAU needs and deserves visionary leadership that has the ability to take the AAU to a new level.

J.B. Mirza

J.B. (Jo) Mirza AAU National Treasurer

Rosen

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Signature

Meeting

District Compliance

Working with Parks

Social Media

Sports

Nutrition

Friday, October

REGISTRATION DESK 3

8:00 AM

8:00 PM On-Site Office & General Registration

GRAND D

8:00 AM

9:30 AM Legislation (2nd Session if needed) SALON 13/14 SALON 15/16 SALON 17/18 SALON 20 SALON 21 SIGNATURE 2

10:00 AM

11:15 AM

12:30 PM

12:15 PM

11:00 AM Girls’ Basketball General Session Track & Field Professional Development Seminar

1:30 PM Baseball General Session Football General Session

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Boys’ Basketball General Session

Aquatics General Session

Hockey General Session

Karate General Session

Baton Twirling General Session Fencing General Session

Trampoline & Tumbling General Session Volleyball General Session Boys Volleyball Info Session (11:30)

Judo General Session Cheerleading General Session Beach Volleyball Info Session

Surfing General Session Pickleball General Session

Dance General Session Wrestling General Session

Jump Rope General Session

Futsal General Session

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM Soccer General Session

5:15 PM

5:45 PM

5:45 PM

Taekwondo

General Session

Softball General Session

Strength Sports General Session

6:15 PM Lacrosse General Session

Men’s & Women’s Basketball General Session

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

Sport and District delegates to Congress must be finalized and submitted

Gymnastics General Session

Small Sports Meeting

Chinese Martial Arts, Sport Stacking, Team Handball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Target Shooting, Bowling, Chess, Cricket, ESports, Fishing

the AAU Onsite Office no later than 8:00 pm.

Better Hydration.

Start Eating Clean.

Paul Campbell, 509 453 2696 Paul@yvn.com

The AAU Junior Olympic Games is the largest, youth, multi sports event in the country with 20 sports and over 15,000 participants. Future host cities include Des Moines, Iowa in 2023; Greensboro, NC in 2024; and Houston, TX in 2025. For all the future dates, visit the website. aaujrogames.org

Bobby Sweet, (352) 565 0806 bobby@aviv clinics.com

Aviv Clinics is the leader in maximizing human performance and optimizing brain health. The evidence based Aviv Medical Program has aided pro athletes, Olympians and amateurs in both training and recovery by improving the flow of blood and oxygen in the brain and body. More than 10,000 children and adults have been treated with Aviv protocol to treat chronic conditions like post concussion syndrome, as well as to improve athletic performance. aviv clinics.com

Todd Lehrke, 952 278 8518 tlehrke@bloomingtonmn.org

Bloomington is well known for hosting high quality sporting events for visitors throughout the country and internationally. We have many beautiful parks and several top notch sporting venues. We are also 1 mile from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and home to Mall of America, the largest retail and entertainment complex in the US. This makes our city one of the top sports destinations in the country. bloomingtonmn.org

Richard Scott, 425 757 3248 richards@badensports.com

Baden is the official volleyball of the AAU. Baden's goal is to give our customers an authentic experience, whether they are using one of our products in play, or interacting with one of our team members directly. Baden's vision statement, mission statement, and core values represent what Baden stands for and what is central to everything we do. badensports.com

CaptainU is the official recruiting partner of the AAU Our services are so much more than just a free recruiting profile. We help athletes & parents not only be proactive but also to manage and take control of their entire recruiting journey. Athletes create a FREE or premium recruiting profile, allowing them instant access and the ability to send direct messages to 100% of college coaches. In addition to athletes gaining exposure, the CaptainU team of experts provides helpful templates and easy, step by step guidance and support throughout the entire process. captainu.com

Melissa Geatches, 800 277 8989 Melissa@countrymeats.com

Country Meats is an official fundraising partner of the AAU. Country Meats Smoked Snack Sticks for Fundraising offers you 12 different flavors to choose from for your fundraising needs. You earn 45% profit on the Snack Sticks you purchase and sell for $1.00. We offer FREE display boxes, FREE posters, and FREE banners to help you showcase the product. Never tried Country Meats before? No problem! Call or click for your FREE samples. 1 800 277 8989 countrymeats.com

Darcy Frappier, 407 833 8938 DFME@dfmeetings.com

DFM&E is built on knowing our customers and their customers. We know our clients' shows well. And we know what they need from us. Our end goal is to watch our clients reap the benefits of their hard work on their events –not their hotels. We do the hotel work, protect our clients and provide ideal hotel availability for their delegates…from the day we contract to the day the show closes. DFM&E is the official housing provider for Orlando National events for Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field and Wrestling. dfmeetings.com

Mike Janssen, 515 986 1848 mike@finedesigns.com

Brandon Little, 386 255 0415 blittle@daytonabeach.com

Many visit the Daytona Beach area every year for a multitude of world renowned sporting events including Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the DAYTONA 500, and the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Daytona Beach also claims the U.S. headquarters of LPGA and NASCAR, and is home to the Florida Tennis Center. The Daytona Beach area on Florida’s east coast is also fortunate to have 23 miles of coastline and a convenient locale at the intersection of I 95 and I 4. Daytona Beach hosts events on all levels from grassroots, youth, collegiate and adult. There are many sports venues available for every type of sport or event.

Since 1994, Fine Designs has been serving the Amateur Athletic Union by specializing in custom on site event apparel merchandise at no cost to the event host. From sporting events to festivals, music concerts and more, Fine Designs provides imprinted apparel for on site customization. Fine Designs/AAU Partnerships have included: AAU Junior Olympics Games, AAU Karate, Taekwondo, Diving, Basketball, Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field, Gymnastics Age Group National Championships, Powerlifting World/National Events & hundreds of additional AAU Events with directors at the grassroots level nationwide in various AAU sports. finedesigns.com

Dan Hedger, 727 515 3884 dhedger@cornerstonefabrication.com

At Eleven22 Sports, we manufacture American made, high quality sports equipment. We take great pride in developing products that provide reliable function, ease of use and consistent durability that stands the test of time. Eleven 22 is the official net systems of the AAU. eleven22sports.com

John "Tex" Lechner jlechner@leagueapps.com

LeagueApps is the leading youth sports management platform, providing youth sports organizations with the technology and professional development they need to run, grow, and win. events.leagueapps.com/

Delane Owen, 800 324 5997 dowen@mtmrecognition.com

Let us provide all your recognition award needs, whether it is trophies, plaques, medals, rings or any other recognition product. mwtrophy.com

Sotirus Aggelou, 412 939 3399 sotiris@comeready.com

The Official Sports Drink of the AAU! We’re always READY®

READY to fuel athletes with PREMIUM Sports Nutrition and Performance Hydration. readyismade.com

Sean Leary, 720 544 3828 sean@sportsthread.com

Sports Thread is a Software as a Service company who provides registration, payment processing, age verification, rostering, scheduling, eTicketing and communications products for youth Sports event companies. Sports Thread's social media application is one of the top 100 ranked Apple sports apps in the world and provides a community for youth athletes to connect, view game scores and schedules from event providers, highlight their talents and get recruited to college for free. sportsthread.com

Beth Reed, 866 468 3268 x845 beth@travelingteams.com

TRAVELING TEAMS® is the largest youth sports housing company in the US. We specialize in hotel room block management for youth sporting events. For over 18 years we’ve been serving elite and recreational teams. We guarantee the lowest rate, while providing the highest level of service and sponsorship. travelingteams.com

Brittany Goudy, 580 920 5583 rogergoudyscholarship@gmail.com

The Roger Goudy Scholarship was created to honor the life of Roger J. Goudy. Roger was raised in Ashtabula and spent a good portion of his life volunteering for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). This program aims to help 2 Student Athletes from Ashtabula and 2 Student Athletes from AAU with their postsecondary education expenses. rogergoudyscholarship.com

Alex Everett, 314 662 3546 alex@successbrands.com

Success Brands focuses on designing, developing, and delivering awards and merchandise which our client use to elevate their brand. We believe in producing the highest quality products to increase your brand awareness in the community. successbrands.com

Scott McLaughlin, 704 331 2738 Scott.McLaughlin@visitcharlotte.com

Charlotte is not just a spectator city. Seated in a compact, walkable district, the 550,000 square foot Charlotte Convention Center is ideal for sports conferences that want to be close to all the action. Steps from stellar sports venues, affordable hotels, and dining and nightlife, attendees can explore more than 200 restaurants within walkable Uptown or feed their minds at arts and culture hubs like Levine Center for the Arts. www.charlottesgotalot.com/

Be Fit For Life

S T A F F & V O L U N T E E R S A R E T H E E N G I N E T H A T D R I V E S T H E A A U ; T H A T M A K E S T H E O R G A N I Z A T I O N W H A T I T I S T O D A Y . T H E F R I E N D S H I P S T H A T W E R E M A D E , T H E H O U R S T H A T W E R E S P E N T , W E R E L I F E C H A N G I N G A N D M Y O W N H E A R T C A N A T T E S T T O T H A T .

T O D A Y T H O U G H I M A Y B E G O N E I N B O D Y , I A M S T I L L W I T H E A C H O F Y O U I N S P I R I T , A S W E C O N T I N U E T O B E T H E D R I V E R S O F T H A T E N G I N E T H A T P R O V I D E S O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R O U R A T H L E T E S . W H I L E I W I L L M I S S S E E I N G Y O U A T T H I S Y E A R ’ S C O N V E N T I O N , I K N O W T H A T T O G E T H E R W E W I L L C O N T I N U E T H E L E G A C Y O F

H O S E T H A T H A V E G O N E B E F O R E U S .

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