DETROIT, Mich.  – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) hosted the 5^th Annual AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony last night, February 21, 2022, at the historic Detroit Athletic Club (DAC). The award was established to honor Gussie Crawford, who was a trailblazer in amateur sports. Crawford became the first female president of the AAU, voted on by her peers. The award was created to recognize those athletes whose efforts, both on and off their playing surface on the national or international stage, have paved the way for great change in amateur sports.
 
First given out in 2017, the first four recipients include Jess Owens, Jim Thorpe, Babe Didrikson, and Muhammad Ali. This year’s honoree was a Detroit local legend, as well as one of the greatest players at his position in football’s history. The 5^th AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement recipient is Detroit Lions legendary running back Barry Sanders.
 
His exploits on the field were unparalleled, becoming a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2004. Off the field, his impact on the community was also significant. Sanders gave 10% of his annual salary to organizations helping those in need – along with other charitable endeavors throughout his career, and continues to work with charities into his retirement. Today, Sanders is an ambassador for the Detroit Lions, the game of football, and is dedicated to raising money for those in need. In 2014, Sanders celebrated the success of his Nike Air Trainer signature shoe by donating all of the proceeds to two charities close to his heart. More recently, Sanders appeared in the NFL’s Draft-A-Thon to raise money for relief related to the pandemic.
 
The Award Ceremony also included 9-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Carl Lewis, who gave a special keynote speech, as well as local Detroit TV personality Rhonda Walker who hosted the ceremony.



AAU President & CEO Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan paid special tribute to the award’s namesake, Gustine “Gussie” Crawford during the ceremony. As the first – and only – female president of the AAU, Gussie was a trailblazer in amateur sports for more than 60 years. Gussie passed away at the beginning of February at the age of 86, but she left a long-lasting impression on amateur sports and everyone who had the chance to meet her.
 
Homage was also paid to past AAU President & CEO Dr. Roger J. Goudy who passed away in 2020. Dr. Goudy created and named the award after Gussie. The award was created as a means to recognize those athletes who did not necessarily receive the recognition they should have when they competed in their time. Dr. Goudy had dedicated his life in service to America’s youth – as a school superintendent and AAU volunteer – for more than 40 years.

While Barry Sanders was unable to attend the ceremony, he did accept the award via video thanking both the DAC and the AAU. You can watch his acceptance speech by clicking the video or link below - https://youtu.be/uavAbpBn26U

If you would like to send donations, cards, or letters in Gussie's memory, you can send them to the addresses listed: 

Cards and letters of remembrance can be sent to: CYNTHIA CRAWFORD PIPOLY, 4630 Ginger Hill Rd, Toledo, OH, 43623

Donations can be made in Gussie’s memory to: VILLALOBOS RESCUE CENTER, P.O. BOX 39,  Napoleonville, LA, 70390