AAU-Baden Partnership Brings Energy, Innovation and a Cool New Ball to the Game

ORLANDO, Fla. - AAU has teamed up with Baden to offer their athletes world-class volleyballs and top-quality equipment.

In the constant drive for innovation and enhancing the experience of the athlete, AAU and Baden have teamed up to announce the newest equipment to hit the AAU courts. 

“The AAU always strives to provide the very best participation opportunities to our members,” said Dr. Roger J. Goudy, AAU President/CEO. “AAU Volleyball has seen explosive growth in the past few years, becoming the industry leader in the youth volleyball marketplace; partnering with Baden allows AAU to continue to provide the very best experience for all who compete at AAU volleyball events.”

“Baden’s Mission is to build strong individuals and communities through sports, and the AAU is the ideal partner to pursue this with in the sport of volleyball,” says Jake Licht, Baden COO. “We couldn’t be more excited to work hand-in-hand with a partner that so clearly shares our passion for creating both products and experiences that elevate the sport of volleyball.”


INDUSTRY LEADERS

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has long been a leader in the youth sports space, and for the past twenty (20) years, AAU Volleyball’s exponential growth has led to AAU becoming the leading force in volleyball globally. 

In 2019, the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships again saw an increase in the number of teams and participants; in the process, the event broke its own record for participation at a volleyball event with 2,805 girls and boys teams from across 47 states, including an international division with teams from Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Germany, Puerto Rico and Slovenia. More than 45,000 athletes and 100,000 spectators attended the event, delivering an economic impact of more than $103 million to the Central Florida area.
  
Additionally, Baden’s continued commitment to innovation and quality has led to the creation of industry leading products. “We look forward to working closely with the AAU to continually evolve our game technology and create a ball that becomes the standard on every court.” said Richard Scott, Volleyball Division Manager of Baden. “With coordinated efforts from two powerful names in volleyball, the athletes will be the ultimate winners at every level.”


WHAT'S NEW

As two of the biggest names in volleyball, improving the player experience will continue to be a central goal in this alliance. The new Baden ball – the “All American” – will soon be appearing in gyms across the country. Available in red, white and blue, the “All American” will be branded with the AAU logo and available to purchase directly from Baden.

In addition, a newly developed Baden customization process will give all AAU members the option of personalizing each ball with their names. Plans are currently being made for Baden to have its customizing equipment at the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships this summer, so players will be able to take home their own customized volleyball.
Baden is also in the final stages on a new AAU focused Beach Ball. “With the diversity of the AAU’s tournament schedule for Beach, we recognized the opportunity to introduce a ball that will have the versatility to stand up to both domestic and international styles of play,” Scott says.

About Baden Sports: 
Baden Sports, an independent, family-owned company, headquartered in Renton, WA, focuses on creating products and experiences that honor the importance of sports within individuals and communities. Baden’s relentless innovation and commitment to quality has led industry-wide adoption of its technologies and led conferences, programs, and coaches at all levels to choose Baden as their official ball. For more information, visit www.badensports.com, or join the conversation on Facebook (BadenSports), Instagram (badensports), and Twitter (@BadenSports).