- Jul 22, 2024
Updated: Jul 24, 2024
Updated: Jul 24, 2024 (changes since original post highlighted in light yellow)
For those attending the AAU JO, I'm going to use this post to collect any pertinent information. As we have a few people that are new to the AAU JO, I’ll provide some extra information/insight/tips. If anyone else thinks of anything I’ve missed, please let me know and I’ll include it.
Meet Homepage: (https://aaujrogames.org/Track)
You will find links here for information on parking, stadium policies on allowed items*, heet sheets, live results, etc. *Note: Karen Hall has provided some clarifications below with wrt coolers, backpacks, chairs & food. In short, it'll be much as things have been in the past and not as restrictive as the posted general stadium policies.
There is also this nice summary. https://image.aausports.org/sports/JO_Games/entry/2024/2024ATEntryInfo.pdf
Event Schedule:
Stadium Map:
Travel Plans:
My current plan to drive to Greensboro on Saturday the 27th and leave Friday afternoon after completion of javelin (Emma) and discus (Maggie). Unfortunately, I will miss pentathlon for Zoe and day 1 of decathlon for Teegan.
Bibs, Wrist Band & Swag Pick-up:
I will pick up my coaches’ credentials and the bibs, wrist bands & swag for Maggie, Emma, Addison, Joe and Gabriel first thing Sunday morning. Let me know when you get into town and we'll make arrangements to get them to you.
---> Please send me your shirt size so that I can collect those as well on Sunday. For the ladies, please let me know your preferred women’s size and unisex size just in case. Thanks.
Implement Check In:
As with previous years, they are requiring implements for the morning sessions to be checked in by close of business the previous day (4:00pm on Sat/Sun, 5:00 on weekdays). Implements thrown in the afternoon sessions need to be checked in 3 hours before. I recommend checking all implements in the day before so that you don’t have to arrive so early before competition. If you are planning to practice the night before, I’ll have a variety of implements available for practice.
Practice Location in Greensboro:
Ragsdale High School (604 E Main St, Jamestown, NC 27282)
We've mostly had good luck with availability here. It's far enough away from the stadium not to be too crowded but we have occasionally run into conflicts with football practices. Use the address above (not the school name) when you put it in navigation. This will bring you to a small parking lot on the north side of the school near the circles.
Potential Alternate Locations:
1. Smith High School (2399 Veasley St, Greensboro, NC 27407)
2. Jamestown Middle School (301 Haynes Rd, Jamestown, NC 27282) - no discus
Practices are tentatively scheduled for 6:00-8:00 on Sun-Thurs evenings. Let me know if you are planning to come and what events. Based on that, I will schedule the specific event times.
Emergency Notification System:
Last year AAU set up an emergency text notification system for weather alerts or other emergencies. So far, I haven’t seen anything for this year's meet.
Parking & Tickets:
I have generally parked in lot 65 off Lindsay Street. Looks like parking will be $20 per day (no cash, not sure how that will work). It’s a bit of a hike into and around the stadium back to the throws area. Last time we were there, we had to circle around the right side of the stadium.
Note: There is a free shuttle option from the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Parking is $5 per day or $20 for the whole competition. It sounds like you might be able to pick up admission wrist bands there as well.
Spectator tickets are $20 per day ($50 for the whole event). The athletes can get in via their wrist bands and/or bibs. Spectator tickets are available at the ticket booth off Sullivan Street. Lines will be lengthy the first few days, so plan some extra time accordingly.
Throws Area Tips:
I will not be able to set up the canopy in the throws area and there is little to no shade back there. Plan on bringing sunscreen, hats and/or umbrellas (nothing larger than 4ft). There is limited seating in the throws areas so also plan on bringing camp chairs. Also, Karen Hall has confirmed that personal sized coolers are allowed (just no large 'team" coolers). Also no outside vendor food.
Athletes and coaches will have a separate security line where back packs will be allowed. Things will be more strict for spectators (so if you have a large bag, you might want to have your athlete "smuggle" it in). Athletes generally need to check in at the event 30 minutes before the start time. Depending on what flight you are in, they may release you as they don’t have enough space/seating under the tents for everyone (typical for discus and javelin). They will have water under the tent, but I recommend bringing a water bottle with you. I’ve found on hot days that having the athletes take in a cold pack or zip lock bag with wash cloth and ice allows them to cool themselves off a bit. Placing that on the back of your neck or on the forehead helps for a quick cool off. With 75-80 kids in a single age group, the events can become a bit of a marathon and doing whatever you can to stay fresh and ready when your time is called helps.
Clarifications from Karen Hall (23Jul'24):
1. The attached prohibited items document says that coolers are prohibited. Are coolers really prohibited and if not, who can bring them in (I.e. athletes, coaches, parents)? Are there any size restrictions? Small personal coolers permitted...but not a large "team" cooler.
2. Is the backpack restriction only for spectators? Our understanding is that athletes and coaches have a different screening process. That's correct.
3. Will tents be allowed underneath the bleachers on the visitors side? Yes. If so, the prohibited items list says that no lawn chairs are allowed. If tents are being allowed to be setup under the bleachers, as they have been in years past, what will people sit in? Lawn chairs are ok.
4. The prohibited list says “Flags on poles/banners” are not allowed. What about banners and flags for the Opening Ceremony? No flags/banners at COA. The LOC is providing a banner for each state.
5. Prohibited items list says no outside food. Is this really the case for athletes, who need nourishment throughout the day? Also knowing that healthy options have historically not been available and are costly at the stadium. Athletes can bring in their nourishment. Meals from outside vendors are not permitted.
6. Are there going to be any vegan or vegetarian options offered? Fruit and yogurt at concessions.
7. Prohibited list says that “large umbrellas” are not allowed. What is considered a "large" umbrellas? Over 4 feet wide
8. Are sportsbrellas allowed? If so where? Yes, on the visitor side, sections A through P.
9. Is there a way to buy spectator tickets in advance or online? The University Box Office is not providing online ticket sales. Attendees can use the Coliseum’s Ticketmaster link to buy tickets, but the wristband(s) will have to be picked up at the Coliseum Box Office.