Latest news with #AmateurAthleticUnion
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Running pioneer, Boston winner Nina Kuscsik dead at 86
Nina Kuscsik, who campaigned for women's inclusion in long-distance running and then won the Boston Marathon the first year that they were officially allowed to race, has died aged 86. A funeral home notice said Kuscsik died June 8 of respiratory failure after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "Nina was more than a pioneer, determined women's running advocate, and celebrated icon within the sport," the Boston Athletic Association said in a social media post. "To us, she was a friend who will always be remembered for her kindness, joyful laugh and smile. "Nina held the distinct honour of winning the 1972 Boston Marathon, and recognised the platform that came with that triumphant moment, inspiring thousands of women to reach their own goals and finish lines in the decades since." Kuscsik graduated from high school at 16, studied nursing for two years and received her licence at 18 after petitioning to change a New York law that required nurses to be 21. She won state championships in speed skating, roller skating and cycling – all in the same year -- before turning to running when her bicycle broke. She ran the Boston Marathon four times from 1968-71 — before women were officially welcomed, a period retroactively recognised as the Pioneer Era — and then won the first official women's race in 1972. She was also the first woman to enter the New York race, in 1970, and was one of the "Six who Sat" – six women who refused to start the '72 New York City Marathon for 10 minutes to protest an Amateur Athletic Union rule that the women's race had to be separate from the men's. She won that year and the next year as well. She later served on AAU and USA Track and Field committees drafting rules for women's running. In addition to the more than 80 marathons she ran over her lifetime, Kuscsik set the American record for the 50-mile run in 1977 and won the Empire State Building Run-Up three straight years from 1979–81. She was inducted into the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1999. Nina Kuscsik, who campaigned for women's inclusion in long-distance running and then won the Boston Marathon the first year that they were officially allowed to race, has died aged 86. A funeral home notice said Kuscsik died June 8 of respiratory failure after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "Nina was more than a pioneer, determined women's running advocate, and celebrated icon within the sport," the Boston Athletic Association said in a social media post. "To us, she was a friend who will always be remembered for her kindness, joyful laugh and smile. "Nina held the distinct honour of winning the 1972 Boston Marathon, and recognised the platform that came with that triumphant moment, inspiring thousands of women to reach their own goals and finish lines in the decades since." Kuscsik graduated from high school at 16, studied nursing for two years and received her licence at 18 after petitioning to change a New York law that required nurses to be 21. She won state championships in speed skating, roller skating and cycling – all in the same year -- before turning to running when her bicycle broke. She ran the Boston Marathon four times from 1968-71 — before women were officially welcomed, a period retroactively recognised as the Pioneer Era — and then won the first official women's race in 1972. She was also the first woman to enter the New York race, in 1970, and was one of the "Six who Sat" – six women who refused to start the '72 New York City Marathon for 10 minutes to protest an Amateur Athletic Union rule that the women's race had to be separate from the men's. She won that year and the next year as well. She later served on AAU and USA Track and Field committees drafting rules for women's running. In addition to the more than 80 marathons she ran over her lifetime, Kuscsik set the American record for the 50-mile run in 1977 and won the Empire State Building Run-Up three straight years from 1979–81. She was inducted into the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1999. Nina Kuscsik, who campaigned for women's inclusion in long-distance running and then won the Boston Marathon the first year that they were officially allowed to race, has died aged 86. A funeral home notice said Kuscsik died June 8 of respiratory failure after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "Nina was more than a pioneer, determined women's running advocate, and celebrated icon within the sport," the Boston Athletic Association said in a social media post. "To us, she was a friend who will always be remembered for her kindness, joyful laugh and smile. "Nina held the distinct honour of winning the 1972 Boston Marathon, and recognised the platform that came with that triumphant moment, inspiring thousands of women to reach their own goals and finish lines in the decades since." Kuscsik graduated from high school at 16, studied nursing for two years and received her licence at 18 after petitioning to change a New York law that required nurses to be 21. She won state championships in speed skating, roller skating and cycling – all in the same year -- before turning to running when her bicycle broke. She ran the Boston Marathon four times from 1968-71 — before women were officially welcomed, a period retroactively recognised as the Pioneer Era — and then won the first official women's race in 1972. She was also the first woman to enter the New York race, in 1970, and was one of the "Six who Sat" – six women who refused to start the '72 New York City Marathon for 10 minutes to protest an Amateur Athletic Union rule that the women's race had to be separate from the men's. She won that year and the next year as well. She later served on AAU and USA Track and Field committees drafting rules for women's running. In addition to the more than 80 marathons she ran over her lifetime, Kuscsik set the American record for the 50-mile run in 1977 and won the Empire State Building Run-Up three straight years from 1979–81. She was inducted into the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1999. Nina Kuscsik, who campaigned for women's inclusion in long-distance running and then won the Boston Marathon the first year that they were officially allowed to race, has died aged 86. A funeral home notice said Kuscsik died June 8 of respiratory failure after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "Nina was more than a pioneer, determined women's running advocate, and celebrated icon within the sport," the Boston Athletic Association said in a social media post. "To us, she was a friend who will always be remembered for her kindness, joyful laugh and smile. "Nina held the distinct honour of winning the 1972 Boston Marathon, and recognised the platform that came with that triumphant moment, inspiring thousands of women to reach their own goals and finish lines in the decades since." Kuscsik graduated from high school at 16, studied nursing for two years and received her licence at 18 after petitioning to change a New York law that required nurses to be 21. She won state championships in speed skating, roller skating and cycling – all in the same year -- before turning to running when her bicycle broke. She ran the Boston Marathon four times from 1968-71 — before women were officially welcomed, a period retroactively recognised as the Pioneer Era — and then won the first official women's race in 1972. She was also the first woman to enter the New York race, in 1970, and was one of the "Six who Sat" – six women who refused to start the '72 New York City Marathon for 10 minutes to protest an Amateur Athletic Union rule that the women's race had to be separate from the men's. She won that year and the next year as well. She later served on AAU and USA Track and Field committees drafting rules for women's running. In addition to the more than 80 marathons she ran over her lifetime, Kuscsik set the American record for the 50-mile run in 1977 and won the Empire State Building Run-Up three straight years from 1979–81. She was inducted into the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1999.
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Nina Kuscsik, a marathon pioneer and 1st official winner of Boston women's race, dies at 86
BOSTON — Nina Kuscsik, who campaigned for women's inclusion in long-distance running and then won the Boston Marathon the first year they were officially allowed to enter the race, has died. She was 86. An obituary for the A.L. Jacobsen Funeral Home in Huntington Station, N.Y., said Kuscsik died June 8 of respiratory failure after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. 'Nina was more than a pioneer, determined women's running advocate and celebrated icon within the sport. To us, she was a friend who will always be remembered for her kindness, joyful laugh and smile,' the Boston Athletic Association said on Instagram. 'Nina held the distinct honor of winning the 1972 Boston Marathon and recognized the platform that came with that triumphant moment, inspiring thousands of women to reach their own goals and finish lines in the decades since. The BAA extends heartfelt condolences to Nina's family, friends and all in the running community who were touched by her grace.' According to the obituary, Kuscsik graduated from high school at 16, studied nursing for two years and received her license at 18 after petitioning to change a New York law that required nurses to be 21. She won state championships in speed skating, roller skating and cycling — all in the same year — before turning to running when her bicycle broke. She ran the Boston Marathon four times from 1968-71 — before women were officially welcomed, a period retroactively recognized as the Pioneer Era — and then won the first official women's race in 1972. She was also the first woman to enter the New York race in 1970 and was one of the 'Six Who Sat' — six women who refused to start the '72 New York City Marathon for 10 minutes to protest an Amateur Athletic Union rule that the women's race had to be separate from the men's. She won that year and the next year as well. She later served on AAU and USA Track and Field committees drafting rules for women's running. Kathrine Switzer, who entered the 1971 Boston Marathon using her initials and became the first woman to officially compete, called Kuscsik 'one of our greatest leaders.' 'Nina was not only a champion runner but was instrumental in the official acceptance of women in distance running because she did years of tough work of changing rules, regulations and submitting medical evidence to prove women's capability,' said Switzer, who started alongside Kuscsik and six other women who met the qualifying time for the the 1972 Boston race. 'Eight of us registered, eight of us showed up and all eight of us finished. It was a stunning moment — and a blistering hot day — but appropriately enough, Nina won.' In addition to the more than 80 marathons she ran over her lifetime, Kuscsik set the American record for the 50-mile run in 1977 and won the Empire State Building Run-Up three straight years from 1979-81. She was inducted into the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1999.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Nina Kuscsik, marathon pioneer and first official winner of Boston women's race, dies at 86
BOSTON — Nina Kuscsik, who campaigned for women's inclusion in long-distance running and then won the Boston Marathon the first year that they were officially allowed to enter into the race, has died. She was 86. An obituary for the A.L. Jacobsen Funeral Home in Huntington Station, New York, said Kuscsik died June 8 of respiratory failure after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. 'Nina was more than a pioneer, determined women's running advocate, and celebrated icon within the sport. To us, she was a friend who will always be remembered for her kindness, joyful laugh and smile,' the Boston Athletic Association said on Instagram. 'Nina held the distinct honor of winning the 1972 Boston Marathon, and recognized the platform that came with that triumphant moment, inspiring thousands of women to reach their own goals and finish lines in the decades since. The BAA extends heartfelt condolences to Nina's family, friends, and all in the running community who were touched by her grace.' According to the obituary, Kuscsik graduated from high school at 16, studied nursing for two years and received her license at 18 after petitioning to change a New York law that required nurses to be 21. She won state championships in speed skating, roller skating and cycling — all in the same year — before turning to running when her bicycle broke. She ran the Boston Marathon four times from 1968-71 — before women were officially welcomed, a period retroactively recognized as the Pioneer Era — and then won the first official women's race in 1972. She was also the first woman to enter the New York race, in 1970, and was one of the 'Six who Sat' — six women who refused to start the 1972 New York City Marathon for 10 minutes to protest an Amateur Athletic Union rule that the women's race had to be separate from the men's. She won that year and the next year as well. She later served on AAU and USA Track and Field committees drafting rules for women's running. Kathrine Switzer, who entered the 1971 Boston Marathon using her initials and became the first woman to official compete, called Kuscsik 'one of our greatest leaders.' 'Nina was not only a champion runner, but was instrumental in the official acceptance of women and distance running because she did years of tough work of changing rules, regulations and submitting medical evidence to prove women's capability,' said Switzer, who started alongside Kuscsik and six other women who met the qualifying time for the the 1972 Boston race. 'Eight of us registered, eight of us showed up, and all eight of us finished,' she said. 'It was a stunning moment — and a blistering hot day — but appropriately enough, Nina won.' In addition to the more than 80 marathons she ran over her lifetime, Kuscsik set the American record for the 50-mile run in 1977 and won the Empire State Building Run-Up three straight years from 1979–81. She was inducted into the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1999. Golen writes for the Associated Press.
Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Duke Kahanamoku: Father of Surfing
Duke Kahanamoku (1890–1968), or more accurately, Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, seemed born to become a waterman. In Hawaii, to be 'waterman' means to understand the ways of the water, a gift typically passed down through the generations. Perhaps more than any other Hawaiian of his generation, he truly understood water. Kahanamoku was named after his father, who was named by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. She was visiting the islands at the time of the baby's birth. An Unbelievable Record Kahanamoku was born into a devout Christian home and had five brothers and three sisters. Despite their former connections to royalty, his family wasn't wealthy. His father was a policeman, and young Kahanamoku eventually had to leave school for work to help make ends meet. What he never left, though, was the water. As a teenager he became an avid swimmer, diver, and surfer. In 1908, he and two friends, Knute Cottrell and Ken Winter, formed Hawaii's first surf club. Organized at the Moana Hotel in Waikiki, members focused on swimming, surfing, canoe paddling, and 'kanikapila,' a Hawaiian word meaning impromptu music sessions that commonly take place at the beach. Duke Kahanamoku and his group of friends formed a surf club called the Hui Nalu Club in 1908. Public Domain By this time, Hawaii had become an American territory. This change of state presented Kahanamoku with numerous opportunities to compete in swimming. On Aug. 12, 1911, he joined an Amateur Athletic Union competition and entered the 100-meter freestyle race, which took place in Honolulu Harbor. The result of the race was so astounding that the judges couldn't believe the result. He'd beaten the world record by 4.6 seconds. In fact, he wouldn't receive credit for the feat until years later. His First Olympics With Hawaii now a U.S. Territory, Kahanamoku entered the Olympics as an American competitor. He tried out for the U.S. swim team and easily made it. The 1912 Olympics were held in Stockholm. Kahanamoku competed in the 100-meter freestyle. In the qualifying heat, he tied the world record. There was no doubt he was the favorite to win. In fact, during the final, he dominated the field so quickly that he actually looked back to see how far ahead he was. Even with this slight pause, he defeated the second place swimmer by two meters. During these Olympics, he also competed in the 4x200 meter freestyle relay in which the team came in second. He was the first Hawaiian to medal at the Olympics. Duke Kahanamoku cuts a dashing figure at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. Public Domain Immediately a prominent sports figure in America, he began touring to teach swimmers his 'Kahanamoku Kick.' He also showed beachgoers and swimmers how to surf, introducing the sport to Americans on the Atlantic seaboard in 1914. Related Stories 7/10/2024 9/14/2024 Also that year, he arrived in Australia and New Zealand. Two days before Christmas, at Freshwater Beach in Sydney, he was the star attraction for an exhibition. While staying at the Boomerang Camp at Freshwater Beach, Kahanamoku built a surfboard out of sugar pine and introduced surfing to the Australians. In fact, Kahanamoku's pine surfboard remains on display at the Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club. An Olympic Return Having spread surfing around America and Australasia, he set his sights on the 1916 Olympics. Unfortunately, hopes for a repeat performance were doused due to World War I. When America entered the war, Kahanamoku conducted swimming exhibitions in 30 different cities throughout mainland America to raise money for the war effort. In 1920, Kahanamoku joined the American team in Belgium, a country that had been pummeled by the war. Nonetheless, the 1920 Olympics were held in Antwerp. Kahanamoku again dominated the field in the 100-meter freestyle. He tied his record in the semifinal, and in the final, he broke it, winning first. A dispute, however, required the race to be swam again. Kahanamoku won again, beating fellow Hawaiian Pua Kealoha. Unlike the 1912 Olympics, the American 4x200 relay team won first with a world record, giving Kahanamoku his third Olympic gold. Shortly after the Olympics, Kahanamoku pursued an acting career in Los Angeles. From 1922 to 1930, while living in L.A., he appeared in 28 films. While living in Southern California, he helped popularize the sports of swimming and surfing. In 1924, Kahanamoku arrived in Paris for the Olympics. It was here that he became close friends with fellow swimmer Johnny Weissmuller would also enjoy a Hollywood career, best known for his role as Tarzan. Johnny Weismuller (L) and Duke Kahanamoku laugh in a candid photograph while at the 1924 Olympics in Paris. Public Domain The Waterman's Heart The following year, Kahanamoku did not just demonstrate his ability; he demonstrated his heart and courage. At Newport Beach, California, a 40-foot yacht capsized. Kahanamoku leapt on his surfboard and rescued eight people from drowning. He was joined by two other surfers, who rescued four. The police chief of Newport Beach He finally moved back to Hawaii, where, in 1929, he quickly made waves … or rode them. He hopped a massive wave that took him 1.128 miles, possibly the longest wave ride of the modern era. In 1932, he returned to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles as an alternate for the water polo team, which won bronze. Duke Kahanamoku poses with his surfboard in Los Angeles in 1920. Public Domain In 1935, it seems he found another calling. Kahanamoku was elected Sheriff of Honolulu, a position he held until 1960, after winning 13 consecutive elections. During this span, he was the U.S. representative at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. He was also an official guest at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Ambassador of Aloha When Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state in 1959, Kahanamoku was appointed the state's Official Ambassador of Aloha. His international celebrity made him a surefire candidate for the ambassadorship, but it was also due to his friendly personality and his personal creed he called 'Aloha.' Kahanamoku 'In Hawai'i we greet friends, loved ones and strangers with Aloha, which means 'with love.' Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawai'i renowned as the world's center of understanding and fellowship. Try meeting or leaving people with Aloha. You'll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it and it is my creed. Aloha to you.' Sam Kahanamoku (L) and his brother Duke Kahanamoku were Olympic medalists in the early 20th century. Public Domain In 1966, Kahanamoku was the first person inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame the same year. In 1980, 12 years after his death, a photo of him at the beach, standing in front of a large surfboard, was added to the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. Four years later, he was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. In 1990, to celebrate the centennial of his birth, a large bronze statue of Kahanamoku was erected at Waikiki, where his swimming and surfing life began in earnest and set him on the path to becoming known as the Father of Surfing. Lastly, surfing officially became an Olympic sport in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics, a moment that can be greatly credited to Kahanamoku's efforts. What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Miami Herald
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Lexi Rodriguez Wins the 95th AAU Sullivan Award
Lexi Rodriguez Becomes the Third-Ever Volleyball Player to Win the Award in Its 95-Year History NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / April 15, 2025 / Former Nebraska star and standout libero Lexi Rodriguez has been announced as the winner of the 95th AAU Sullivan Award. Rodriguez was presented the award during this year's AAU Sullivan Award ceremony on Tuesday, April 15, at the New York Athletic Club. The ceremony was broadcast live on ESPN+ for the first time this year. Rodriguez becomes just the third volleyball player to win the award in its 95-year history, joining Lauren Carlini (2016) and Kathryn Plummer (2018). It is the first time Nebraska volleyball has had a finalist for the award since Mikaela Foecke in 2018. "To be here with Olympic and World champions, it hasn't sunk in yet," said Lexi Rodriguez, newest AAU Sullivan Award winner. "Thank you to the AAU for this incredible honor and want to give credit to all the athletes nominated. It's been an incredible couple of days." Rodriguez finished her time with Nebraska Volleyball as one of the all-time program greats. The program record holder in career digs (1,897) was named a finalist for the 2024 AVCA National Player of the Year Award and the Honda Sport Award for Volleyball. The AAU Sullivan Award has been presented annually by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) since 1930 to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the United States. In addition to athletic excellence, the AAU Sullivan Award recognizes the qualities of leadership, citizenship, character, and sportsmanship on and off the playing surface. "We are incredibly honored to add Lexi as the newest winner of the AAU Sullivan Award," said Jo Mirza, AAU President. "She's phenomenal, both on and off the court." Rodriguez was determined the winner following a combination of a public vote, as well as votes from the AAU Sullivan Award Committee, sports media around the country, and past winners and finalists of the award. The other finalists for this year's award included Michigan State and USA Hockey goaltender Trey Augustine, Duke Basketball's Cooper Flagg, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Olympic champion fencer Lee Kiefer, and World Champion figure skater Ilia Malinin. Photo and Video of the Ceremony Courtesy of AAU and ESPN Can Be Found HERE Former winners Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1986), Charlie Ward (1993), Sarah Hughes (2002) and Jessica Long (2006) were on hand to help celebrate the newest winner of one of the oldest athletic awards in the country. Prior winners of the prestigious AAU Sullivan Award include Olympians Michael Phelps (swimming, 2003) and Shawn Johnson (gymnastics, 2008); basketball star Caitlin Clark (Basketball, 2023); Track and Field icons Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Heptathlon, 1986) and Carl Lewis (Track, 1981); and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (football, 1997). A full list of recipients can be found here. SOURCE: Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) press release
