USATF VS AAU Participation… Parents And Coaches Weigh In

Last weeks post on USATF vs AAU Can We Talk??? USATF and AAU Why Such A Deep Rift In Opinion? stirred up some great conversation via e-mail anda few comments below the post as well. I thought I would share some of the comments I have recieved.

PARENTS HAVE LOTS TO SAY

Colorado parent writes:

“AAU vs USATF, In my opinion this argument is purley demographics, From my experience the AAU is more East Coast and Southern States where the USATF is stronger in the West, Southwest and some Midwestern states. If you live in a region where the majority of meets are AAU, then you more then likely run AAU the same is for USATF.There is one aspect the AAU clearly dominates the USATF JO’s they do however attract more athletes, but with similar competition at both is more truly better? There has been arguments on the competitive nature of both events and there have been years that the USATF JO’s are more competitive then AAU and vice versa. You honestly cant go wrong which way you go both meets are highly competitive and both meets have thier pluses and minuses. Also either way your child slash athlete will be on a national stage and can lay claim to a National Championship”.

Washington Track Mom writes:

“I think whoever holds their meet in the east coast (where the mass of population is) will have, on average, better marks. I compared last year’s 2009 results across JOs, and USATF athletes would have won more events by far. However, in previous years, it has been other way around. It depends a lot on location. Each meet is highly competitive, and it is a great experience for a young athlete to compete in either meet with the nationally competitive environment. On going to both JOs, we decided against it just because it seems like too much”

Passionate Track Dad writes:

“A Worthy Topic. We’ve been doing AAU since 2007. This year, the scheduling for the distance events in San Diego , ~stank~. Too late in the day! Doesn’t matter…they can improve… I LOVE AAU.
I Came up to summer track in AAU…and found out about TAC (formerly known as “The Athletic Conference”, now “USATF”) my senior year-joined that, too. I can’t give a better reccomendation to a young person looking for a challenge. BUT-the differences between USATF and AAU have become commercial-based upon $ from fees, and not competition between athletes. REALLY, we need to resolve this, even if it means AAU sponsoring an earlier meet or two-and the WISEST HEADS debunking politics in favor of encouraging say, first year athletes, or a training session in something difficult to find, like hurdles, triple jump, javelin or hammer (Multi-events, YAY!). A Kid is a kid…they learn their ethics from US GROWN FOLKS…we CAN and MUST set a Continuous example, through ALL”.

Midwest Track Mom writes:

I was at both last year and watched the best of the best compete.I wish they ( USATF and AAU figure out a way to make both AAU and USATF easier to attend both. why can’t AAU hold a later JO meet after all Youth Nationals in earlier in the month maybe AAU could be the following week USATF JO’s end. Giving a chance for those special athletes that want to participate an opportunity. I viewed the spread sheet Track Mom shared with me through an e-mail request and I think more should review it is well done and explains clearly just who is doing what. over all great competion and great times.yo never know what weather conditons can bring so all in all I enjoyed Iowa better because no rain on finals day. As for this year I am all in for AAU I figured the best competion will show up closer to home and the USATF will be a West Coast Olympics. It’s all about location unfortunately ”

I think both opportunies to compete at such a high level are great over all. This is one sure fire way to expose an athlete to the rigors of high competition . I is great that year in and year out we as parents and coaches can see what meet may offer our athlete the best competion,exposure to National Meets and sometimes even a visit with relative because the meet is in their family state.

Elite Youth Track Coach writes:

Just saw the front page of your site. Thought I would send this over.

Note: I do not include intermediate and YM/YW because a majority of the top HS runners do not do a JO meet. Some do but not even 50% of the top athletes attend. If you go to http://www.dyestat.com

The top HS’ers, they simply don’t go as a group. But youth down to primary 99% of the top athletes in those age groups attend a JO.

Here are my reasons for doing the AAU meet if you can only afford only 1:

It is faster – no opinion - I have seen the spread sheet

As a coach I get more events for my money with my sprinters 3 rounds and not 1 and done except for the top 8 kids

Competition is fair: year of birth comp

The meet is bigger by at least 2x

Informed Track Coach writes:

Do some research as to why the rift with USATF and AAU and you will find although many valid points , ancient issues that can’t stand up to today’s much more pressing topics in terms of helping the same youth athletes we are talking about reaching the podium FOR REAL one day. At this point it makes better sense for USATF to allow full control of the youth division and start working on fixing it’s broke Elite Athlete house.”

This year, a rare opportunity for my entire family of Mom , Dad sisters, brother in-laws nieces and nephews and a few close friends will be on hand for the first time to watch Lauren compete for the first time on a National Stage ,right in our home state California. Team Lauren will be in full effect. I have watched how the home state in 2008 produced big wins with Kendall Basiden,In 2009 with Bryce Love and I know that California athletes will not disappoint this year and I hope Lauren will be on the podium with other Cali athletes come final Sunday both events maybe even some good times.