I asked that question in July 2004 to the USFCA newsgroup and Carla-Mae Richards responded:
As I understand it, fencing once did have an affiliation with the AAU, but the affiliation was cancelled at the request of the AAU. To date, we have not pursued re-establishing that relationship.
Carla-Mae Richards
Director of Technical Programs
US Fencing Association
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 12:07 PM
To:
usfca@yahoogroups.com
Subject: The AAU and Fencing
Does anyone have any association with the AAU? Do you think there is a need?
The "Fencing Timeline" commonly posted on various websites states that in 1891 a group of fencers in New York broke away from the AAU over tournament organization and created the AFLA (later the USFA).
Look at the purposes of the USFA stated in it's charter:
1. To promote the social welfare by advancing physical fitness through the establishment, maintenance and promotion of regular programs of athletic activity, physical conditioning and training in the art and sport of fencing.
2. To combat juvenile delinquency by providing, for children and youths, regular supervised programs of wholesome athletic activity and training in the art and sport of fencing.
3. To further individual self-discipline, build character and promote sportsmanship by providing regular supervised training, instruction and competition in the art and sport of fencing.
4. To aid in the improvement and development of the powers of analysis, thinking, decision-making, and self-discipline of the individual through training in the art and sport of fencing.
5. To provide programs of supervised and qualified instruction with approved and trained coaches and teachers in the art and sport of fencing.
6. To organize and supply direction for intercollegiate and interscholastic fencing meets and competitions.
7. To instruct the public and provide general information with respect to the art and sport of fencing and the benefits to be derived from participation therein through lectures and other programs on the subject useful to the individual and beneficial to the community.
8. To disseminate knowledge and basic factual material about the art and sport of fencing.
9. To establish classes of formal instruction in the art and sport of fencing by a regular faculty according to a regular curriculum at fixed locations.
10. To establish and promote a nationwide program of fencing competitions.
11. To establish and promote the growth of fencing clubs and salles d'armes throughout the country.
12. To select and prepare individuals and teams to represent the United States in international competitions including the Olympic Games and the Pan-American Games.
13. To encourage the art and sport of fencing in the United States of America, its territories and possessions, to define amateur status in respect to fencing and to formulate and enforce regulations relating thereto.
14. To formulate and publish rules for management of fencing contests and exhibitions in the United States of America , its territories and possessions.
15. To group all fencers within its territorial jurisdiction for the purposes of conducting annual local and national championships, and competitions preliminary thereto designed to awaken and maintain interest in competitive fencing as well as in the art of fencing as a cultural promotion and exercise.
16. To promote "people-to-people" friendship by maintaining harmonious relations with fencing systems of foreign countries and committees of other organizations interested in promoting international competitions and advancing the sport and art of fencing.
Below is the purpose of the AAU stated in their charter:
ARTICLE 200 NAME, PURPOSE, EMBLEM
200.1 Name. This organization is known as the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, Inc., but may hereinafter be referred to as the AAU.
200.2 Purpose. To offer amateur sports programs through a volunteer base for all people, and to promote good sportsmanship and good citizenship. The AAU shall carry out its mission by:
200.2.1 Conducting programs that provide for, enhancing and strengthening participation and competition for amateur athletes.
200.2.2 Working with other sports organizations to benefit amateur athletes.
200.2.3 Conducting recognition programs for outstanding amateur athletes who exhibit leadership, high moral character, sportsmanship and ideals of amateurism.
Obviously there is a lot of overlap. One thing that the AAU has over the USFA is in targeting elementary and secondary schools. I think US fencing should re-establish ties with the AAU for the development and promotion of fencing in the schools for the long term development of fencing. I also think the charter of the USFA is too great for it's resources and could pass off some of it's objectives to the AAU.
Postscript: still not a bad idea....
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