Making Space for Sports

Larry DeLucas, 72 Birmingham, Alabama There are many singular achievements that can be made in sports, but only Larry DeLucas can say he once slam dunked a basketball weightless more than 250 miles above Earth. That’s one of the interesting facts discovered when we followed up on the rumor that there was an astronaut playing

Pickleball + Airstream = A Lovely Way to Play January 2023 Athlete of the Month

Gene Berg, 70 Margaret Berg, 61 Litchfield, New Hampshire Many senior athletes travel to multiple events each year to enjoy the competition and camaraderie. Noticing a shiny Airstream travel trailer with New Hampshire plates glinting in the sun at the 2022 Georgia Golden Olympics reminded us that some go the RV route and travel in

Gary Patton Refines and Finds Success December 2022 Athlete of the Month

Gary Patton, 77 Rock Rapids, Iowa Gary Patton never dreamed he would one day be an elite athlete. “I was 4 foot 11 in high school and underdeveloped. I was not athlete material at all.” Now 5’4” at the age of 76, Gary has become a tall figure in mid distance running, finding himself on

100 Reasons to Keep Swimming – November 2022 Athlete of the Month

Charlotte Sanddal, 100, Helena, Montana When she first jumped into a pool to learn to swim at the age of 72, Charlotte Sanddal was only thinking about finding a way to stay healthy and active. Then when she began competing in the Montana Senior Olympics in 1994, she earned her first medal and was hooked

Jack Eckenrode’s Happy Trails

Jack Eckenrode, 94 Bulger, Pennsylvania   Some athletes inspire others with their ability. Others inspire just by their example. For cyclist Jack Eckenrode, it has taken 17 years of competing to win his first National Senior Games gold medals at the 2022 Games held this year in Fort Lauderdale. But Jack has a happy army

Doug’s Life Reset Leads to Pickleball…and the Stratosphere October 2022 Athlete of the Month

Doug Dvorak, 62, Donelly, Idaho  Doug Dvorak loves playing pickleball, and his passion for the game comes from a series of life challenges he says he overcame by taking up the popular sport. Speaking from a hotel room in Philadelphia, Doug demonstrates his obsession. “Guess what I have with me?” he asks. “My pickleball paddle! I

National Senior Games Association CEO Resigns; Sue Hlavacek named Interim CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           October 19, 2022 CLEARWATER, FL- The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) announced today the resignation of President and CEO Marc T. Riker, who has served in the position since 2012. “The NSGA Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of our Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately,” Board Chair Jack Shinnock said.

General Competition Schedule Released for 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh

Softball Tournament to be held in Columbus, Ohio FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           Sept. 15, 2022 CLEARWATER, FL- The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) has released the General Competition Schedule for the 21 sports that will make up the 2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana.  The massive multi-sport event for adults ages 50+, will host 20

An Olympian “Pinging” it Forward – September 2022 Athlete of the Month

Lily Yip, 59 Dunellen, New Jersey   There was a buzz in the hall when Lily Yip stepped up to play table tennis at the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana. After all, it’s not every day you can watch an Olympian play. The Chinese born ace always excelled at table tennis and started playing professionally

Tennis = Life August 2022 Athlete of the Month

Jim Siegel, 75 Milwaukee, Wisconsin You must have passion to stay with a sport. That passion can be about the need for competition, being socially connected with others with the same interest, or it can be as basic as enjoying an activity for what it does for your health and wellness.   “Without passion you