The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has not fulfilled its promises for reform following a child sex abuse scandal in 2011. It had promised mandatory training, yet still has not implemented it. A high-ranking executive accused of abuse was exonerated without interviewing witnesses, raising questions about the AAU’s commitment to genuine oversight.
Unmet Promises and Continued Allegations
In the competitive world of youth sports, the AAU oversees 760,000 athletes and coaches. This includes high-profile events like the world’s largest volleyball championship and the Junior Olympics. While AAU promises a safe environment, investigations reveal significant failures in protecting children from abuse.
An inquiry by ProPublica and The Washington Post found that the AAU misleads the public about its prevention measures and has not implemented the majority of reforms promised after a 2011 scandal. This poses a risk to children in the AAU’s care.
Lack of Proper Training and Enforcement
The AAU has not made child abuse prevention training mandatory, contrary to public claims. It also doesn’t verify if the offered courses are taken by coaches. Eight coaches banned by other sports organizations were found working with the AAU, despite promises to enforce bans.
The investigations indicated that serious misconduct allegations are handled by an AAU Board of Review, whose members are not publicly named and lack legal training, raising concerns about accountability.
Financial Growth and Priorities
Instead of prioritizing child safety, evidence suggests the AAU focuses on expanding its presence in youth sports. The organization benefitted from gaps in the law, allowing it to sidestep SafeSport’s oversight, which is mandatory for many other sports organizations.
The AAU has seen a substantial revenue increase, from $20 million in 2015 to nearly $44 million in 2024. This expansion into sports beyond basketball has attracted clubs seeking lower fees and fewer regulatory requirements.
Handling of Abuse Claims
Despite legal and internal challenges, the AAU uses its arbitration agreements to keep sexual abuse claims away from public scrutiny. This strategy prevents lawsuits that could reveal organizational failures in addressing abuse allegations.
One high-profile case involved Greg Stephen, an AAU coach convicted of significant abuse, yet arbitration clauses shielded the AAU from added scrutiny.
Task Force and Policy Shortcomings
In 2012, a task force recommended reforms, but little changed according to investigative findings. Allegations of abuse against coaches have been inadequately addressed, partly due to the AAU’s reluctance to apply stringent enforcement.
The AAU’s culture prioritizes protection of the institution over athlete safety, according to critics, and reforms seem to be more theoretical than practical.
Case Studies: Orndorff and Bravata
The cases of Ashlee Orndorff and Aleesa Bravata highlight the AAU’s failure in addressing sexual misconduct properly. Orndorff alleged long-term abuse by an AAU executive, but the board cleared him without thorough investigation. Similarly, Bravata’s case showed that the AAU overlooked SafeSport’s suspension, highlighting loopholes in enforcement.
SafeSport’s guidelines are not adhered to by the AAU, meaning individuals banned elsewhere can continue coaching under its umbrella.
The AAU’s handling of these cases illustrates a systemic problem within the organization, where promised reforms and public commitments to child safety are inadequately supported by action.