This National Youth Sports Organization Is Failing to Protect Kids From Sexual Abuse

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a national youth sports organization with over 760,000 athletes and coaches, has failed to protect children from sexual abuse, according to a joint investigation by ProPublica and The Washington Post. Despite promising sweeping reforms following a 2011 sex abuse scandal, the AAU has not implemented most of these changes, leaving hundreds of thousands of children vulnerable. The organization, which hosts major tournaments in sports like volleyball, basketball, and track and field, has long claimed to prioritize athlete safety through rigorous coaching standards and strict oversight. However, internal practices and policies reveal a systemic failure to safeguard minors from sexual misconduct. The AAU's commitment to reform came after a high-profile scandal in 2011 involving its CEO and young basketball players. At the time, leadership vowed to establish a new organizational culture centered on child protection, pledging to introduce mandatory training programs, stricter monitoring of coaches, and robust mechanisms for handling abuse allegations. These promises were meant to rebuild trust among parents and athletes. Yet, nearly a decade later, the AAU has not fulfilled most of these commitments. According to the investigative reports, the organization does not provide child abuse prevention training, nor does it ensure that coaches complete the courses it claims are mandatory. Parents are misled into believing that the AAU upholds stringent safety protocols, while in reality, the system lacks transparency and accountability. One of the most alarming findings of the investigation is that the AAU has allowed coaches previously sanctioned by other youth sports organizations to continue working with children. Despite a 2012 pledge to ban such individuals, the AAU has permitted eight coaches, some of whom were suspended or banned for misconduct, to remain active in its programs over the past five years. These coaches, often linked to serious allegations of sexual abuse, operate under the guise of legitimacy within the AAU, raising concerns about the organization’s commitment to preventing harm. Current and former officials from six national sports governing bodies describe the AAU as a “haven” for coaches seeking to evade consequences, noting that it operates outside the strict safety frameworks enforced by other organizations. The process for addressing abuse allegations within the AAU is equally problematic. Instead of having a dedicated reporting hotline, the organization directs complaints to its general office line, offering no direct avenue for victims or families to report misconduct. Callers must press 5 to reach a department responsible for “medal orders,” a response that underscores the lack of meaningful support for those affected by abuse. When asked about formal guidelines for banning abusive coaches, a former member of the AAU’s Board of Review, who served on the panel for nearly 25 years, revealed that decisions were based solely on subjective judgments rather than objective criteria. This opaque and inconsistent approach further erodes confidence in the AAU’s ability to protect children. The AAU’s failures have left many young athletes in distress. Several participants in AAU events have shared stories of inappropriate behavior by coaches, some of whom were later removed from the organization. In some cases, these incidents went unaddressed until external investigations exposed the patterns of neglect. The organization’s refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing or take decisive action has led to widespread disillusionment among parents and athletes alike. While the AAU continues to grow in influence, with millions of children participating in its programs each year, its record on child safety remains deeply troubling. As the investigation reveals, the AAU’s leadership has consistently prioritized institutional interests over the well-being of children. With no clear plan to address longstanding gaps in its safety protocols, the organization risks perpetuating a cycle of harm. The next steps for the AAU, and for the families it serves, will depend on whether its leadership is willing to confront the evidence and make meaningful changes to its operations. For now, the AAU’s promise of protection appears far from reality.