John Edgar "Ed" Sockwell oral history interview, 1993 May 4
Description
Ed Sockwell, a former college basketball player and parent, discusses the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and recreational youth basketball in Charlotte. The Charlotte Sonics, a recreational basketball team formed by Mr. Sockwell and two friends, began with the purpose of creating playing opportunities outside of the school system for their sons. This small traveling team joined the AAU and by 1993, branched out by recruiting more diverse players and instituted a minimum GPA requirement. As the part-time volunteer executive director of the AAU in Charlotte, Mr. Sockwell talks about requirements for the AAU to operate effectively, including funding, community volunteers and parental support. He discusses the ups and downs of preparing to play basketball at the college level--the competitive pressures, academic requirements, and parents who live vicariously through their children's athletic experiences. He also discusses the AAU's successes and role as a positive influence in the community.
