Like many of the swimmers here over the age of 43 years old, I remember the AAU being in charge of swimming and almost every sport in the United States. When did swimming age group break away from the AAU and masters and why did it occur.
Former Member
I believe it happened in 1980 or 1981, in response to the "Stevens Amateur Sports Act of 1978" (named after its author, Sen. Ted Stevens). The Act reorganized the USOC and required the creation of separate "national governing bodies" for all sports, to replace the AAU.
From History of USA Swimming – USASwimming.org;
1978
* U.S. Congress passes Amateur Sports Act.
1979
* At the AAU National Convention, legislation passes changing the AAU's function from a multi-sport organization to a service/management activity for national governing bodies.
* USS signs a service agreement with the new AAU, an NGB first.
* The AAU passes a resolution "so that Sports Committees become National Governing Bodies responsible for all aspects of the governance of their sports."
1980
* FINA recognizes USS and the United States Aquatic Sports at meetings in Moscow.
* USS holds it First National Championships, choosing an honorary U.S. Olympic Team.
* The AAU turns over all national swimming revenue to United States Swimming.
1998
* United States Swimming (USS, U.S. Swimming) officially changed its name to USA Swimming.
