The National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, organized in 1872, was the first national governing body of the sport of rowing in the United States, and the first American sports organization to publish a definition of "amateur". Before the NAAO, regattas across the country used different definitions of amateur, making it impossible to hold a national amateur championship regatta.[1] The NAAO's first national championship regatta was held in 1873 on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.[2] Beginning in 1916, the Julius H. Barnes Points Trophy was awarded to the club scoring the most points over the course of the championship regatta.[3]
In 1982, the NAAO was merged with the National Women's Rowing Association to form the United States Rowing Association.
- ^ A History of American Amateur Athletics and Aquatics: With the Records. Outing Company. 1888. p. 153.
- ^ "Rowing on the Schuykill – Second Day of the Amateur Oarsmen's Regatta". The New York Times. October 9, 1873. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ^ "Many Entered in Races at Duluth – At Least 150 Oarsmen Will Compete in Annual Regatta of National Association – New Trophy Cup Offered – J.H. Barnes Gives Challenge Award to be Contested on Point Scores". The New York Times. July 17, 1916. p. 9. Retrieved May 28, 2021.