2007 AAU National Convention – RECAP
October 11th, 2007
–> For a listing of Sport Award winners, click here.*
–> For a listing of Other Award winners, click here.
–> For award photos from the Awards Breakfast, click here.*
–> For closing banquet photos , click here.
(inc. Hall of Fame and President Leadership Awards)
–> For more convention photos, click here.
–> For 2007 AAU Year in Review Videos, click here.
*awards given out at specific sport meetings to be added later [if available]
The 120th AAU National Convention was held in Schaumburg, IL from October 2nd – 6th. The 2007 AAU Convention brought over 
500 attendees to the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center.
Numerous Convention and Visitors Bureaus [CVB's], Sport Commissions, and sports-related vendors participated during the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, Oct 3rd. The Schaumburg Ballroom was packed with exhibitors – 85 booths hosting 80 separate exhibitors – offering AAU volunteers the chance to mix, mingle, and keep up with the latest offerings for the sport industry. The Welcome Reception hosted by ESPN Coaches Fundraising Program that evening was filled with food and enjoyed by all in attendance. Numerous booths gave away prizes. Also, three lucky attendees won the following from the AAU:
Jane Miner- won one round trip coach fare ticket to Cancun, Mexico.
Susan Gligros- won four nights free lodging at the J.W. Marriott or Casa Magna.
John Boyer- won one round trip coach fare ticket to Cancun, Mexico.
On Friday, the annual AAU Awards Breakfast was held – honoring various AAU volunteers for their dedication and service throughout the year.
Thursday and Friday were filled with various sport and administrative committee meetings. The annual Compliance Task Force Workshop was held Thursday. The workshop is just one of the ways the AAU leadership educates volunteers on preferred AAU organizational practices.
The AAU Congress session convened Saturday morning. President Dodd and the AAU National Officers [Louis Stout, Roger Goudy, and Ron Crawford] met with AAU leaders to conduct the business of the union.
Reports were given by the officers, zone representatives, councils, and committees.
Steve Daugherty of Disney Sports Attractions gave the annual Disney report – a recounting of the highlights of the past year of the AAU at Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex.
Bob Love, former NBA player and current front office exec with the Chicago Bulls was introduced as the guest speaker by Eddie Einhorn, owner of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox.
Mr. Love spoke about his success in professional sports. He also touched upon how he rose above the challenge to conquer a life long speech impediment – and how that opened up whole new worlds for him as a person.
The annual AAU Year in Review video was also shown. Highlighting the theme of ‘Accept the Challenge’ – the video showcased AAU volunteers, parents, coaches, and athletes demonstrating the challenges they overcome and/or how they challenge themselves every day to become better people in general and help AAU specifically.
Culminating the week’s happenings was the much anticipated closing banquet. ComedySportz, a professional comedic group entertained young and old alike with some fun sketch-driven comedy routines.
Volunteer Hall of Fame awards for outstanding AAU service were handed out to John Boyer and Augustus La Bruce Bray.
Presidential Leadership Awards were given out to the following:
Reggie Williams
Betty Lowe
Jim Lowe
Eric Brown
John Abad
Cecil Watkins
Shelton Staubitz
Bob Pleticka
Mary Pleticka
David Turnbull
Mary Hayes
Tony Staley
Jan Lyon
Jennifer Miles
Robin Brown Beamon
Dave Davis
Lee Pamalak
Stephen Kavaloski
Bob Sign
Kathleen Brown
Sonya Williams
David Roth
Alison Eachus
Diane George
