What is Amateur Athletic Union?
{{unreferenced|date=December 2011}} The '''Amateur Athletic Union''' (AAU) is a sports organization in the [[United States]]. It was founded in 1888. It holds meets in many sports for [[amateur]] athletes (athletes who do not get paid) of all ages. These sports include [[baseball]], [[basketball]], [[football]], [[golf]], and [[Track and field athletics|track]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) {{!}} Gold Coast Gymnastics|url=https://www.gcgym.com/amateur-athletic-union-aau|access-date=2024-11-25|website=www.gcgym.com}}</ref> A long time ago, when most athletes were amateurs, winning an AAU title meant that you were one of the best in your sport. In the United States, AAU meets used to also be trials for the [[Olympic Games]]. Since 1978, the AAU has lost most of its power. This is due to the [[Amateur Sports Act of 1978]] and the fact that many good athletes are no longer amateurs. It is currently based in [[Lake Buena Vista, Florida]] at [[Disney's Wide World of Sports]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amateur Athletic Union of the United States (AAU) {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amateur-Athletic-Union-of-the-United-States|access-date=2024-11-25|website=www.britannica.com|language=en}}</ref> == Sources == {{Reflist}}{{sports-stub}} [[Category:Sports organizations of the United States]] [[Category:1888 establishments in the United States]]