JOHN URSCHEL NAMED 84th JAMES E. SULLIVAN AWARD WINNER

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – In ceremonies on April 11, 2014 at its national headquarters, the Amateur Athletic
Union (AAU) announced Penn State Football Guard, John Urschel, has been named the 84th Annual James E.
Sullivan Award winner, which honors the nation's outstanding amateur athletes. Presented annually since 1930, the Sullivan award is based on character, leadership and sportsmanship. Notable recipients of the AAU Sullivan Award include: Mark Spitz, Jackie Joyner–Kersee, Florence Joyner, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, J.J. Redick, Tim Tebow, Shawn Johnson and last year's recipient Missy Franklin.

"It is an honor to receive this award. I thank the National Football Foundation who nominated me for this award, I am extremely grateful," said Urschel in his acceptance speech. "Words can't describe how honored I am to be named the most outstanding amateur athlete of the year. I am honored to represent all that is good about athletics and the lessons you can learn through sports; lessons of discipline, commitment, toughness and
perseverance in the face of adversity."

Urschel was selected for his athleticism and sportsmanship as outstanding football player for Penn State, as well as for his achievements off the field of play. In 2013, John was honored on the field during the BCS National Championship in recognition of winning the Campbell Trophy, was named to his second First Team Academic All – America Team and received his third Academic All –District selection. He earned a bachelor's in mathematics in May 2012, a master's in mathematics a year later, and he is currently working on a second master's degree in math education – all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Notably, John Urschel is the seventh football player to win the AAU Sullivan Award in its 84–year history. He will be
in the company of football greats and past Sullivan recipients Peyton Manning (1997), Tim Tebow (2007), and
Andrew Rodriguez (2011) to name a few.

In addition to his numerous athletic achievements, Urschel excels in the community and in the classroom. He taught two college–level math courses, Integral Vector Calculus and Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry, in 2013 and had several research papers published in major academic journals. He jointly ran a 2013 summer program in computational mathematics and is a member of a genome re–assembly research group. He was the keynote speaker at the 2013 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon where he addressed nearly two thousand attendees on the four
qualities he wished for all college student–athletes: 1) master your craft in your sport; 2) make a mark in the community; 3) help young players along their journey; and 4) prepare for the day your athletic career ends.

"I am extremely pleased and would like to congratulate John Urschel for his selection as the 2013 AAU James E.
Sullivan Award winner," said Henry Forrest, President of the AAU. "John is an outstanding athlete whose resume
stands out among the hundreds of thousands of amateur athletes who have worked and trained tirelessly to
develop their dreams into reality. John characterizes all of the pillars that this award stands on. He demonstrates character and leadership both in the academic community and on the football field. On behalf of the AAU, we welcome John as the 84th member of this elite group of amateur athletes."

WITH HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES


It is with deepest regret, we announce that former longtime AAU Basketball Sport manager, and AAU Basketball official William "PeeWee" Summers has passed away at age 71 of complications from diabetes.

He will be missed by all of the people's lives he touched, but will be remembered for all of the wonderful and silly "PeeWee" moments shared. We would like everyone to remember PeeWee by sharing a "PeeWee Story" with a friend.

To read more about PeeWee and his background CLICK HERE.

2014 AAU JUDO FREE STYLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2014 AAU Judo Freestyle Nationals hosted by Wall to Wall Martial Arts took place on Saturday, April 5th in Denham, Louisiana.


When James Wall was asked how the tournament went, he said, "Our competitors all fought with heart and courage and made me extremely proud. Our Referees and Technical Officials were outstanding. Our Coaches and Assistant Coaches did a great job of helping our players on and off the mat."


Thank you to all participants, coaches, officials and parents for making this event a huge success!

For results from this great event, Click Here.

2014 AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES – BATON TWIRLING

Do you plan on competing at the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa?


If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of the Baton Twirling Showcase. This year's theme is "Twirlin Down on the Farm."


All participants will have the opportunity to make new friends and experience a performance like no other – where twirlers from all over the United States come together to display their talent of baton twirling.

• 2014 Showcase Description • 2014 Showcase Music • 2014 Showcase Video

For more information on this event, Click Here.

AAU TAEKWONDO ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE

Currently for Gulf, Florida and Florida Gold Coast Championships.
Don't Miss Out on these Great Events – Register Today!

• Gulf Online Registration – Click Here • Florida Online Registration – Click Here • Florida Gold Coast Online Registration – Click Here

DIAMONDS ARE A MOM'S BEST FRIEND


Mom. Baseball. Love.

May 10–11, 2014
10U – 11U – 12U – 13U
ESPN Wide World of Sports
$350 entry fee
3-game guarantee

Umpires and baseballs included.
Grand Nationals qualifier


Take mom to the incomparable ESPN Wide World of Sports to see her all-time favorite player dedicate his game to her.

NEBRASKA DISTRICT QUALIFIER

The Nebraska District Qualifier is taking place May 31st, 2014 in Omaha, NE at Benson High School. The top 16 finishers from each event will qualify for the Region 14 Qualifier in Brooklyn Center, MN.

This is the first step to qualifying for the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games! For more information on how to register for the Nebraska District Qualifier, visit www.aauathletics.org or CLICK HERE.

PLAY AT THE NEXT LEVEL


Tips from beRecruited

5 Tips to a Great Highlight Video:

1. Keep your video between 4-6 minutes long. Coaches don't have time to watch lengthy videos from hundreds of recruits. A great highlight video should display your best skills. First impressions are important!

2. Within the highlight video, post your contact information, athletic and academic stats. For example, at the beginning or end of your video post your contact information, GPA and athletic awards/stats.

3. Before each highlight begins, it is important to identify which athlete you are if you play on a team. One great way of doing this is to spot shadow.

4. Show a variety of different skills so the coach can see that you excel in a variety of areas. For example, if you are a baseball player who plays first base, don't just show clips of you fielding ground balls. Also include clips of you throwing and batting.

5. Keep your video simple and appropriate. There's no need to include tons of cool graphics and a montage of photos. Coaches just want to see clips of your skills.

Play at the next level with our recruiting partner beRecruited

AAU FOOTBALL ENDORSES HEADS UP FOOTBALLSM

In an effort to ensure the safety of all AAU Football participants, AAU Football is working with USA Football's Heads Up FootballSM program.

USA Football's Heads Up FootballSM program has earned unprecedented endorsements for youth player safety from experts in medicine and athletics.

Nearly 2,800 youth leagues across the United States registered for the program in 2013 for the betterment of their young athletes – and more than 50 percent of all leagues are expected to join the movement for a better and safer game this season.

To find out more information on how to register your league, visit www.aaufootball.org or CLICK HERE.

UNITED HOCKEY UNION JUNIOR NATIONALS

Attention Ice Hockey fans! The time has come for the United Hockey Union Junior Nationals! Teams from three leagues: Northern States Junior Hockey League (NSJHL), Midwest Junior Hockey League (MWJHL), and the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) have been battling it out for the chance to compete in Las Vegas this weekend.

This exciting event will take place at the Las Vegas Ice Center from April 16th – 20th. In addition to the competition between the top two teams from each league, there will also be a Best of the Rest competition between four all-star teams comprised of players whose teams did not make the championship bracket.

To find out who takes the gold, keep an eye on www.aauicehockey.org.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DUALS RECAP

Last weekend, the city of Kingsport hosted the AAU Elementary School Duals. The event was the largest it's ever been with 24 teams from 11 different states!

After three days of fierce competition the winner of the Gold Division was Team Pennsylvania East with a score of 58-30 against Michigan Black.

To find out who came out on top in the other divisions, visit www.aauwrestling.net or CLICK HERE.


LEE PAMULAK MIDDLE SCHOOL NATIONAL DUALS RECAP

Lee Pamulak Middle School National Duals are a wrap for 2014. The tournament was held on April 12th and 13th in HyVee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa. The event hosted 34 teams and 2 All-Star teams that consisted of alternates from other teams.

On Saturday the duals started with six pools of six teams (745 wrestlers) who wrestled a round robin style tournament to decide what brackets the teams would advance to on Sunday.

READ MORE>>

DENVER BOYS' AND GIRLS' INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL SUPER REGIONAL

The Denver Boys' and Girls' International Basketball Super Regional tournament will roll into Denver, Colorado from May 30 through June 1st.

The event is open to 4th through 12th grade boys' and 5th through 12th grade girls' teams. The cost is $310 per team and the deadline to enter is May 16th, 2014.

Teams will have a 3 game minimum and the format will be pool play followed by bracket play. Trophies and medals will be awarded to first and second place teams.

For details and event info, view the official event flyer HERE!

SHOOT FOR GOLD AT ARIZONA BOYS DISTRICT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Are YOU shooting for the gold on the road to AAU Nationals? Don't miss your chance to participate in the Arizona Boys District State Championships!

The competition will take place May 16th through 18th, 2014 at the KROC Corps Community Center. Cost to participate is $300 dollars per team open to ages 8U-17U.

Your team will be guaranteed a minimum of 3 games and the tournament will have a pool play followed by bracket play format.

For details and even info, view the official event flyer HERE!

SIGN UP TODAY FOR AAU GYMNASTICS AGE GROUP NATIONALS

The AAU Gymnastics Age Group National Championships are headed to Orlando, Florida this summer from June 11th, through 15th. The event will be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Competition will feature artistic (traditional) gymnastics, freestyle gymnastics, and freestyle acrobatics- crew jams. Athletes and coaches must register online at www.aaugymnastics.org by May 6th to be eligible to participate. Come, be a part of this outstanding gymnastics event!

For details and event info, view the official event flyer HERE!

GRAB YOUR BATTING GLOVES AND COME DOWN TO FLORIDA

The inaugural AAU Wood Bat Championship has expanded to include 14U teams as well as high school-aged teams. All games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Get your entry in early as we are only accepting 20 total teams between the two age groups.

The 2014 AAU High School & 14U Wood Bat Championship will take place on June 15-21. The entry fee is $850 per team with a five game guarantee. The deadline to register is May 26th, so register soon! Teams may be comprised of high school teams, athletes from multiple high schools or travel ball players currently in high school.

Come on out and join us at the Spring Training home of the Atlanta Braves and showcase YOUR skills!

Click HERE for more info.