courtesy of Mecklenburg Swim Association
More than 15,000 participants gathered in Greensboro, North Carolina for the 58th AAU Junior Olympic Games, the largest multi-sport event for youth in the United States, at the end of July. Over 1,000 of these athletes were swimmers representing teams from all over the country, including some as far as Guam!
“Over 1,000 swimmers representing teams all across the country…”
One of the participating teams was the Mecklenburg Swim Association from Charlotte, NC. MSA, in its 11th year of existence, has rapidly grown to become the largest team in the Carolinas. MSA, which began as a USA Swim club and remains a member of USA Swimming, recently obtained a dual membership as an AAU swim club also.
MSA owner Peter Peters says there were several reasons for this decision.
“We considered AAU versus USA Swimming from various perspectives; business, insurance, and customer service. We found a compelling case that MSA should also become an AAU club member. This decision has helped us save over $25,000 this year alone and offer a superior insurance product to our swimmers at a lower rate. I have found the AAU customer service to be fast-acting and very supportive.”
MSA was planning to join AAU anyway, but upon learning that the AAU Junior Olympic Games would be held in Greensboro this summer, decided to support the event and attend fully. The experience and feedback from its members have been phenomenal. This meet is open for BB swimmers and up. Coach Peter Perers said “In my opinion, this group of swimmers is underserved by USA Swimming. We took 165 swimmers to the swim meet, and they had the opportunity to participate in a high-level meet run like a USA Championship meet. “
Some of the small details greatly impacted these swimmers’ experiences. This included a finals that included many swimmers, credentials received by each swimmer (which was a big deal to them), high-quality LARGE medals given for first through eighth place, and an awards ceremony that recognized each swimmer individually.
“I couldn’t help but wonder why similar events like this aren’t being carried out across the country in multiple locations by USA Swimming. It seems like so much focus is placed on the top 1%; it would be nice to see a similar effort on the majority of the USA Swimming membership.”
“The President of AAU came on deck and personally walked around, thanking each team…”
“ I was also deeply impressed by the AAU meet officials. Every administrative correction that was needed placed the athlete first. This hasn’t always been the case in other high-level competitions I have attended. The President of AAU even came on deck one day and personally walked around, thanking each team for their attendance and effort. What a great touch that was!”
“MSA is in year one of their AAU membership…”
If other coaches have an interest in learning more about MSA’s experience in year 1 of their AAU membership, Coach Perers welcomes any communication for questions or feedback. His email address is [email protected]
courtesy of Mecklenburg Swim Association
ABOUT AAU AQUATICS
AAU Aquatics is a program of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) that includes swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, and water polo. AAU Aquatics offers programs for all ages and abilities, with a focus on personal improvement rather than outperforming others. The AAU’s supportive approach emphasizes healthy competition, fun, and energy.
Oh the joys of exciting new options! That’s what USA Swimming was when I was a kid and AAU swimming was falling apart. See you in another 30 years.
If USA swimming doesn’t figure it out, it’s going to be the governing body that athletes only represent when they wanna go pro or become a big time athlete that qualifies for their resources. Every other team is going to jump ship.
Since this and the Swim Atlanta/AAU puff piece are political by their nature may I at least point out the coincidence that both teams are from states that also have a secession from the U.S. in their history. A question I have is do you think that the secession mindset is a part of being a citizen of one of these states?
I mean everything else in our current society is fractured. Why not add USA Swimming to the mix of fractured elements of our society? Eight years ago USA Swimming was celebrated as the most successful organization in all of Olympic Sports alongside Chinese Diving. I think it is premature to start screaming secession after one bad Olympic Cycle.… Read more »
No, their past history of secession is not even remotely related to anything AAU. Why are these questions even being asked…
Well, is this an example of working together with a governing body or is this an example of working to undermine it and gain control? Is it for our benefit or is it for the benefit of just a few wanting more control of it or some monetary benefit for those pushing it. But to disguise it as something for the greater good of the swimming community is suspect to me. This is some warped view of free markets. How many governing bodies should we have? There are currently three where I coach (four if you count high school) and none of them get along. None of them co-ordinate activities. It’s a pain in the butt. They all want to… Read more »
It’s amazing how USA Swimming can have a shill on the Swimswam forums within hours, even in the middle of the night, but it takes them months to deal with member complaints. And when they do, it’s usually just an email someone copied from a google doc.
This is exactly why more and more people are making the move, “Coach”.
Really? A shill? Am I from the deep state? You proved my point really. It’s a mindset and that is why I pointed it out. This is a power play. Nothing more.
WTF?
That fact that AAU is surging is a stunning indictment of USA Swimming and its leadership…
Not really
Swimming used to be strictly AAU.. Why does everyone join US Swimming? Let’s start a small organization competing with US Swimming!
Awesome! Congratulations to the AAU & I hope they continue to grow and become an option to clubs all over the country. With the sexual abuse coverup lawsuits and the offshore insurance scandal that was perpetrated by the board and executive staff for decades, I believe USA Swimming is beyond repair and will be facing bankruptcy or reorganization very soon.
The devil you know is the best devil of them all.
“I couldn’t help but wonder why similar events like this aren’t being carried out across the country in multiple locations by USA Swimming. It seems like so much focus is placed on the top 1%; it would be nice to see a similar effort on the majority of the USA Swimming membership.”
These are your high school swimmers.
Why do they need to be carried out by USA Swimming? Why couldn’t a club or clubs organize such activities? Doesn’t the NCSA do this in the Spring to replace the past Spring National and Junior National Championships and all with USA Swimming sanction?