Excellent post CoachK and puts things in perspective.

 

You will find that only people affiliated with certain programs will defend that program. In every sport, at all levels, it shouldn't come as a surprise that successful programs and people always get scrutinized. By looking at your AAU team and record I'm sure you are not the most favorite team especially when you show up in their tournament bracket. I’m also sure you get calls all the time from parents asking to join your team because they like what they see and want their kids to be a part of what you are doing. Success will cause that affect and you can’t control who “wants” to join your program. Even though you are probably a good person you cannot control what others think about you or your program. I would pretty much bet that your parents and people that know you best would come to your defense when you or your program comes under attack.

 

Scenario: if you had a girl that wanted to join your team, and you had a spot, you would make sure the rules were followed to a "T". If the rules were followed and 1) she was a perfect fit 2) she was very happy 3) you knew you were going to help that kid reach her full potential, then there is no way you would care about what others think when they say a) he must have broke the rules b) I do not agree with his coaching style c) OMG he just got another good player so lets change the rules. I’m sure you feel deep down that girl is exactly where she should be and her parents made the right decision. That is ALL that matters. No matter how hard you try you will NEVER change negative perception, but it is so easy to get caught up in trying to.

 

Good luck with your team!

 

P.S. this is a high school forum so there is never much talk about AAU. It's not really forgotten it's just somewhere else (perhaps the AAU board)

Amen brother. As far as shopping their kids around I think AAU is the worst of all. How many times will a girl switch from one team to another after a disappointing year, or they did not get as much playing time as they like, or they just did not get along with the coach. In most cases, and maybe not on your team CoachK, all it takes is the 350.00 to 450.00 the team requires each year. I have seen it to often they take the money from these kids wether they plan on playing them or not. Before everyone jumps on this let me say there are alot of good AAU coaches and teams that will turn down the money because they know that girl has no chance of playing. My daughter has played for some very fine AAU coaches and organizations for the last 6 years so I do have some expierience in this.

InDaZone, you are exactly right. I know you pretty well and I know you do your homework before you post on here.

 

I fully understand this is the high school board, but I don't believe many people realize where girls basketball came from and the debt of gratitude we actually owe the AAU. The AAU truly brought women’s basketball to where it is today way before our time. Let me give you some information that you may or may not already know. IMO, in America today we think too much of ourselves and what we can do or get for ourselves. We (in general) are getting away from teaching our kids some of the most important lessons in life. Loyalty for example. Nowadays it is more about what Little Susie wants.

 

AAU was founded in 1888. Dr.James Naismith invented basketball in 1891, when he was asked to come up with an indoor game for those long New England winters. In 1892 Senda Berenson,"the mother of women’s basketball", a very good friend of Dr.Naismith’s, began writing the rules and introducing women to this game. In 1893 Senda organized the First-ever women’s game which was held at Smith College on Mar.22. No male spectators were permitted at the game.(can you imagine that). Berenson was also the first editor of basketball for women in 1901. She continued to edit the basketball rule book until 1916.

 

AAU is in many ways the birthplace of basketball for women and girls, who historically did not have opportunities affiliated with schools or colleges. The first-ever women’s national championship was sponsored by the AAU in 1926, and the AAU selected the first ever women’s all-American team in 1929. For many yrs. the AAU held the only women’s national championship games. In addition to the AAU National Championship in women’s basketball, AAU provided a platform for American women to compete nationally, in World championships, Pan American games and the Olympic games. As you can see the AAU brought women’s basketball on to the scene.

 

In 1972 President Nixon signed Title IX into law opening the door to an explosion of growth in women’s sports. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded educational programs and has helped provide many opportunities for women and girls in sports. The AAU fully promoted and pushed the title IX issue so my daughters and all of yours would have this wonderful opportunity.

 

Sorry so long, but hopefully this gives just a little background about girls basketball. We will never fully bridge that gap between high school and AAU but 80 yrs. ago when girls weren't even allowed to play sports the AAU was laying the groundwork for our youth today.

....like certain body parts.

 

Thanks for finishing my comment, I wasn't exactly sure how to be politically correct and not get in trouble.