First Female AAU President, Gussie Crawford, Passes

ORLANDO, Fla. - It's with heavy hearts that the AAU announces the passing overnight of Gustine “Gussie” Crawford. She was 86 years old.

The forty-third President of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), she was the first – and only – female president of the organization in its more than 130-year history. Elected in 1988, Gussie led the AAU as it transitioned from the governing body preparing athletes for the Olympics, to one of the largest multi-sport, volunteer-based amateur sports organization in the world.

"Gussie was a trailblazer in the AAU and in amateur sports overall," said Jennings Buchanan, AAU President and CEO. "Her impact on the development of youth sports can't be overstated. She will be truly missed."

Gussie was a longtime volunteer with the AAU and a mainstay on the St. Louis, Missouri amateur sports scene for more than 60 years. Her love of sports started early on. Gussie played field hockey, basketball and softball in high school. She attended 13 different schools - her father's job required him to move around the country - before settling in the St. Louis area.

It was a time when female athletes struggled to compete on equal footing and obtain the recognition that male athletes garnered.

"As I get older I'm so thrilled the ways girls are coming now and coming into their own," said Crawford. "Because 85 years ago, girls didn't do that. It's wonderful to see the girls coming out and shining just like the guys."

Gussie played no small part in the rise of women's sports, her influence undeniable. One athlete in particular holds a special place for her, track and field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Joyner-Kersee, who started in the AAU as a basketball player before pursuing track would help Gussie apply stamps to AAU membership registration forms in her dining room.

"Teamwork," said Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic Gold Medalist. "For me, if it was not for AAU, I don't know if I would have even continued running. Being a part of athletics really taught me a lot about people volunteering and I realized throughout my life how important it is to give back." (from 2020 AAU Gussie Award Ceremony)

(Gussie with autographed Wheaties box from Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Photo credit Joe Holleman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

It was especially gratifying for Gussie to see how far women's sports have developed since she first started competing.

"I'm thrilled for the girls of today," Crawford said. “There's still more you can do, but the glass ceiling is there for everybody." (from westnewsmagazine.com)

Her involvement with the AAU began in the 1960s, when her children began swimming. Then after helping run the Ozark AAU District – along with her husband Wayne -- the group that governs more than 30 sports in the region, Gussie became the national secretary for the AAU in the 1970's before moving on to the AAU presidency as its first female president in 1988 through 1992.

In 1993, she was inducted into the AAU Hall of Fame for her tireless efforts and outstanding contributions to the Amateur Athletic Union organization.

"I didn't think that much about being the first woman in that job," Crawford said. "It wasn't until people started reminding me that I realized it. I just felt I could do the best job with my experience and aspirations." (from postbulletin.com)

For her lasting impact on amateur sports, the AAU created an award in her honor in 2017. The AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award is given out to recognize those athletes whose efforts on and off the playing surface have paved the way for great change in amateur sports.

"What more fitting person to name the award after, Gussie Crawford," said Dr. Roger J. Goudy, 47th President & CEO of the AAU in 2017. "She smashed the glass ceiling years ago, and continues to do that."
 

(Former AAU President & CEO Dr. Roger J. Goudy with Gina Hemphill-Strachan, granddaughter of inaugural recipient Jesse Owens and Gussie Crawford in 2017)

Recipients include Jess Owens (2017), Jim Thorpe (2018), Babe Didrikson (2019), and Muhammad Ali (2020).

"They held a dinner for [Owens] and he had to go in the back way, even though it was a dinner in his honor," Crawford said. "His granddaughter is going to stay at the New York Athletic Club and will walk in the front door. I think it's wonderful what time has done." (from westnewsmagazine.com)

Gussie was employed as a nurse for most her of professional career. A longtime alderman in the St. Louis area, she also was part of organizations such as USA Swimming and USA Track & Field. But, her heart was always with the AAU family. A longtime member of the AAU Board of Directors, Gussie also was the chair of the AAU Lifetime Member Committee.

Her accomplishments are many, but Gussie often demurred at the spotlight, preferring to defer to those around her to be out front.

"I've always been in team sports. I've never been an individual sport person," said Gussie Crawford. "Working together towards a common goal, that's where I shined." (from 2020 AAU Gussie Award Ceremony)

For more than 60 years, Gussie Crawford served the AAU in various capacities at the local, district, and national level. These roles included volunteer, mentor, leader, and most importantly, friend. We know the entirety of AAU membership joins us in expressing our heartfelt condolences and sorrow to her family. While she can never be replaced, Gussie will always be in our hearts.

Gussie Crawford is survived by her brother, Earl. Her daughter and best friend, Cynthia. As well as her grandchildren, Matthew , Susannah, Julianne, George, Josef, Elisabeth, and Genevieve. Also, her great-grandchild, Nova, Keilie, Lucy, Marlayna, Magdelayna, and Kainoa.


SERVICES INFORMATION:

SCHRADER FUNERAL HOME

14960 Manchester Road Ballwin, MO 63011

Sunday, February 13, 2022

11:30am – 12:30pm

In lieu of Flowers please send donations to: VILLALOBOS RESCUE CENTER, P.O. BOX 39,  Napoleonville, LA 70390

(Gussie Crawford with husband Wayne at an annual AAU Convention)