KNOXVILLE, Tenn. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) have launched the new AAU Girl's and Women's Basketball exhibit in the Hall in first week of February 2021.

The display recognizes the AAU's vital role in advancing the development of women's and girls' basketball in the United States. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is designed to celebrate the past, present and future champions of the sport and the AAU will be a major part of the celebration.

"We are excited to bring this to the American public," said AAU Girls Basketball National Chair Marcellus "Boo" Williams. "The AAU played an integral role in developing the women's game of basketball. Through this exhibit, we honor not only the accomplishments of those athletes who played AAU in the past but also those athletes who will do so in the future."
 
Display photos show the exhibit area modeled after the outside of a locker room, with the AAU's motto, "Sports For All, Forever" and the AAU Athlete's Creed proudly emblazoned on the walls. The exhibit will also feature actual championship trophies of past winners of AAU Girls' Basketball events, donated for viewing by the teams who won them. In addition, an interactive touchscreen in the AAU's display area will permanently list past AAU National Champions. This touchscreen display will be added to the AAU exhibit area in the coming month. Thanks to the new exhibit, those who have participated and enjoyed success at previous AAU Girls' Basketball National Championships as well as though competing in World Championships currently will be able to consider themselves part of the Hall of Fame.
 
Many professional and collegiate women's basketball stars have played in the AAU. Notable players include Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Chamique Holdsclaw, who all have also won the AAU's most prestigious award, the James E. Sullivan Award, which is presented annually to the country's top amateur athlete.
 
AAU appointed Board of Director to the Hall of Fame and AAU Girls executive committee member Jerry Codispoti adds "Our display and interactive screen allow us an opportunity to showcase and be part of the Hall. AAU National Champions, All Americans and other achievements worthy of being within the Hall of Fame will be highlighted for all to see when visiting the Hall."
  
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame opened in June 1999 in Knoxville, TN. It is the only facility of its kind dedicated to all levels of women's basketball. 

"The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is excited to partner with AAU to create a new interactive exhibit that showcases AAU's contribution to the growth of the women's game" stated Dana Hart, President of the WBHOF. "The Hall showcases all levels of women's basketball; youth to professional and AAU has historically been a large part of the game."

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is open to the public with appropriate safety protocols in place Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information on AAU Girls Basketball, visit www.augirlsbasketball.org

For more information on the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, visit www.wbhof.com