To all coaches, players, parents, referees, spectators, and tournament staff,

Thank you for being part of our one-day AAU event on Saturday, January 3rd at the Rising Stars Complex and Nassau Community College. Because of you, it was a strong, well-run local event and a great day of basketball for everyone involved.

Congratulations to the Rising Stars organization for winning five age divisions, and to Lightning for winning two divisions. We will be selecting two teams to receive free entry into the 2026 AAU World Championships (a $700 value). Those teams will be notified within the next 48 hours.

We are also in the process of fulfilling our commitment to provide AAU membership to all participants. Coaches who have not yet submitted rosters should please do so as soon as possible. AAU membership allows teams and players to participate in AAU events through the end of the year, and players are covered through August 31, 2026. A full calendar of upcoming events will be shared within the next week.

One of the best parts of this tournament was seeing true community basketball in action. Local programs like GCAA, Syosset, Plainview, and others competed alongside AAU programs such as Rising Stars, Defenders, and Lightning. Everyone simply enjoyed playing the game together. It was also great to see so many families in the stands supporting their players. A perfect way to start 2026.

We look forward to our next one-day event in this series coming up in February during Presidents Week. In addition, New York AAU will be offering a full slate of events throughout the year. AAU is the largest youth sports organization in the country, built on decades of experience, a focus on athlete safety, strong event management, quality facilities, top referees, and highlighting athletes through social media. Here in New York and Long Island, we have been part of the community for over 30 years with consistent leadership, and we take great pride in that reputation for fairness and excellence.

One final note many families may not realize: AAU membership provides not only access to events, but also industry-leading insurance coverage and the backing of a national organization that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every athlete. AAU is a true not-for-profit organization, not controlled by private equity, and has been serving athletes for more than 130 years.

Thank you again for your support, your energy, and your trust. We truly appreciate being able to serve your players and families.

Sincerely,
Jim Fox, CEO