Fran Allison, 80, Kinston, NC & Jackie Allison, 56, Youngsville, NC

Fran Allison’s motor never stops, and the energy has rubbed off on her family and everyone else around her. She played what high school sports were available for females in the early ’50s and her husband taught her to play tennis and golf, but raising four children put those activities on hold. Fran lived sports through her kids, especially cheering on her daughter Jackie who excelled in swimming and basketball, and who went on to letter on the women’s basketball team at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The empty nest opened up opportunities to volunteer in the community and return to former passions. When she heard about the North Carolina Senior Games, Fran picked up a tennis racquet at 55 and within a year was playing every sport she could fit into her schedule. It wasn’t long until hubby was joining in, and both enjoyed the activity and opportunities to meet and become friends with others from around the state. When Fran entered her first National Senior Games, Jackie traveled with her to San Antonio and became her coach and cheerleader for 25 years for local, state and national games. The role reversal enriched both women, and this year Jackie finally realized her dream of qualifying and going to the 2013 National Senior Games Presented by Humana with her mother as a fellow senior athlete.

Both have become avid ambassadors for the Senior Games Movement, and Jackie was selected in 2012 to serve on the North Carolina Senior Games Board of Directors. Fran and Jackie’s energy, enthusiasm and positive example to others earned them an invitation to carry their state flag in the Celebration of Athletes sponsored by AstraZeneca in Cleveland – and our first tandem recognition of Personal Best athletes with an intergenerational story.

The following conversation highlights that “family” also describes the relationships felt among all who participate in senior games.

It’s obvious that your Mom got you hooked on senior games, Jackie. You’ve been active with sports your entire life, so what do they bring you that you don’t find elsewhere?

Jackie:  I love the interaction with the other participants and hearing their stories.  I participate in Senior Games because I love to have fun and play. I can’t imagine not staying active as I get older. I believe it will help me cope with the aging process in a more positive way. It is a legacy passed on to me from my parents and I cherish the times we have spent together at senior games.

It also provides me with goals to keep me motivated. I’m not the type that just likes exercise.  Competition is something that keeps me going.  Doing senior games gives you something to keep your focus. When you know you’re going to get out and do it, you have to keep yourself in physical condition to do the things you want to do.

Mom gave me the love of sports. She got me into swimming when I was six and I did that competitively for ten years. Then I met a basketball and got really involved in that in high school. When I went to the University of North Carolina in 1974 Title IX was not in force for another year and they did not offer scholarships. We were all walk ons. I was senior at UNC in Chapel Hill when the NCAA organized the first women’s college basketball tournament.

After college I played rec basketball for a few years until I broke my finger and my team kinda disbanded. I played some tennis and racquetball, learned some golf and then got into running – 5Ks, 10Ks and a couple of half marathons, and then a friend got me to try the triathlon because of my early swimming experience.

What about you, Mom – were you always active in sports? How did you find out about senior games?

Fran: I’ve always been pretty active because I raised four children (laughs). I did play basketball and softball in high school. That was all they had for girls when I was that age. My husband Rufus taught me tennis and some golf but raising those kids took up most of my time when they came along. But when they left home I flew! (Both laugh)

A lady friend kept saying ‘Come on down to the games’ so I started local senior games playing tennis at 55. That’s all I did the first year but then I saw all the other things people were doing and thought ‘Golly, I can do all of this!’ so the next year I signed up for everything I could work in. And I’ve continued to do as many as I can up to today. I’ve participated in 20 sports.

A lot of people stay with one sport, but I want to do it all.  I’m not the best at it, but I love it all. I guess I’ve won 500 medals and ribbons at the local and regional level, and my softball team won a bronze at the National Senior Games in 2009. Jackie’s been with me for just about every event I’ve been to these past 25 y I’ve been to every Nationals except one since 1995 and Jackie’s been my coach making sure I knew what to do and where to be. If it hadn’t been for her pushing me on I might not have kept doing it. We’ve had a great time and it’s a bonding that we’ll never forget.

Jackie:  I can’t even describe the feelings I had watching her, especially in the running events where she was pretty good. I was trying to film, take pictures and cheer at the same time. It just meant the world to me to give back and do for her what she’s always done for me. It was so emotional.

Fran: It’s ALL been emotional. We have grown so close, I couldn’t do without her now.

Jackie:  So I’ve wanted to do this with Mom since she got involved. We were in Louisville in 2007 and mom says to me ‘This might be my last Nationals.’ I said ‘Are you kidding me? I haven’t even gotten old enough to go yet. This is NOT your last Nationals!’ (Both laugh) But this year was my first time and it was so special for both of us to go to Cleveland and be in The Games.

Fran: I said I would do this until I was 80. Well now I’m 80 and I want to go until I’m 85. (Laughs)

This summer North Carolina selected you two to carry the state’s flag in our Celebration of Athletes. What did that honor mean for you?

Fran:  I’ve been fortunate to carry the flag twice before.  But it was awesome to carry it as a mother-daughter team.

Jackie:  This was to be our first Nationals both as athletes and it was so exciting. I know there are other parents and their kids in senior games. For me, I had to wait over 20 years to start, but I’ve been going and supporting Mom all along and it gave me a new appreciation of what’s out there and available for you as a senior.

Carrying the flag was special in another way. Three weeks before the Games I tore my ACL and was not able to compete with my basketball team. I got rid of my crutches the day I left for Cleveland and it meant the world to me to be able to walk with her carrying our state flag in the Celebration of Athletes. After the disappointment of not playing, to be able to do that was one of the most special moments of my life.

We‘re betting you will be back in 2015. Fran, have you had any obstacles to overcome?

Fran:  In 2009 I had breast cancer but I wasn’t going to let it beat me. I had a lumpectomy and when they started treatment the state softball tournament was coming up. Well I would get my radiation, get in the car, drive to Raleigh and play softball and drive back to Kinston. I did that every day. I just wasn’t going to quit. People were just amazed that I would keep going like that. I’ve helped a lot of people, talking to them about not feeling sorry for themselves and to get back on the horse and keep on riding.

Jackie: I wasn’t surprised that she fought back. I remember being with her when the doctor told her about the cancer being malignant. Well, her softball team was getting ready to go to the Nationals and her first question was ‘Well, can I still go to California to play with my softball team?’ He looked at her like she was crazy. But three weeks after her lumpectomy she did! But that exemplifies her spirit. I’ve said many times if I could bottle her enthusiasm and love of life I would be a billionaire many times over.

You can’t stop things from happening to you in life. Mom also has diabetes, some high blood pressure and cholesterol. But she exercises and eats well and does these sports. If she didn’t do that, those problems would definitely have already impacted her quality of life and longevity.

Fran:  I keep my blood sugar down without any medication. I know the exercise and eating right has helped.

Sounds like there’s few excuses for not “getting into the game.”

Jackie: North Carolina has a huge senior games system with local games all over. From the people I’ve met over the years I would guess that 65% of them never did what they are doing now in the games. The opportunity was presented and they tried it and liked it. They may not be the best but they’re having fun and enjoying the social activity.

I’m preaching it everywhere I go. You don’t have to stop being active. If you keep going you will realize there’s so much you can gain from it. I’m just getting started. I recruited my team and wouldn’t have gotten to know many of them if not for this. We’ve all become such great friends. You know we all go through things -people lose spouses, parents, they go through health crises. It’s just another level of support you are able to give each other as you get older. We’ve all chosen to be more powerful than to sit back and be pitiful.

Fran:  And it keeps you happy. And as long as you’re happy it rubs off on others. I’m just really enjoying what I’m doing. I truly do not know what I would do without senior games, it is such a large part of my life.  I preach it to everybody.  I’ve gotten a lot of people into this and it’s fun to see them involved. And it’s wonderful to see the same people at Nationals time after time.

It sounds like senior games participants are something of an extended family.

Jackie: It’s like mom always says. You may only see people once a year at finals or every two years at Nationals, but you

learn their stories you become very good friends and they become like another level of family to you. That’s what’s so special about it. I’ve met people from all over the country. This year some were my competitors but they showed real concern about my injury, and some know my mom competes and wanted to go see her play. There is so much camaraderie we’ve found through common experiences.

Many people are inspired by your example. Who are your biggest inspirations?

Fran:  My husband Rufus is 86 and has been a jewel all through this time. He’s been like my sponsor.  He never went with me until he retired and then he tried it and liked it. We play badminton doubles together. He’s not as competitive or athletic as I am but he enjoys doing what he can do. It’s like I tell people: if you try it, you’ll be hooked.

Jackie: He loves seeing all the people he’s come to know too.  For me, the inspiration is Mom of course.  She was at every swim meet, every tennis match, every basketball game through high school, and even when I went to Chapel Hill for college she would almost always come watch us play. She was always there for me. I saw that not everybody has someone like that who is there and supports you whether you do good or bad.

Fran:  There’s another special one for me. My granddaughter wrote a book when she was in the fifth grade. It was a collection of short stories. On the last page she wrote ‘Let me tell you something about my grandmother’ and told about my sports and medals I’ve won. She then wrote ‘Do you know anybody who can do what she can do at 76 years old?  I do: ME when I get to be her age!’

I get cards from friends about how proud they are about me and how they wish they could do it. I tell them they can do it, there’s something in senior games for everybody. Don’t say you can’t do it until you try!

So…How far did Jackie’s acorn fall from your tree?

Fran:  It didn’t fall far! (Both laugh)

John Morgan, Jr., 90, Salt Lake City, Utah

John Morgan, Jr. is first and foremost an entrepreneurial businessman. The role model was his father, who invited him to join as a partner in resource development ventures after John earned his degrees at the University of Utah and completed Army service in World War II. Their speculation in oil, gas and mining leases had its bumps in the road, but eventually proved to be successful. After his father passed, John continued to look for new challenges.

In the mid ’80s John and his wife visited the sleepy town of St. George in southwest Utah and had a vision to develop a resort and retirement community there.  Little did he know that this venture would bring rewards more precious than financial profit. After establishing a golf resort and hotel, John decided they needed to do something special to attract attention to their dream. Why not host a senior sporting event to highlight St. George as an active senior community?

What resulted is now known as the  Huntsman World Senior Games, an annual multisport competition that draws 10,000 senior athletes from nearly 50 countries. It is also Utah’s sanctioned state qualifying event for the National Senior Games. John had a hand in bringing the two organizations together for the benefit of both.  St. George has also been transformed, and at one time was recognized as the fastest growing community in America. While 150,000 now live in and around St. George, it  retains its small town friendliness and charm, a factor that keeps athletes returning every year.

John’s vision, perseverance and ability to draw support for a great idea, combined with his commitment to promote active, healthy lifestyles for seniors, are qualities shared by many pioneers of the Senior Games Movement and prompted us to share his story as a prime example of Personal Best attitude.

John has wielded his tennis racquet in all but one of the 25 Huntsman games and continues to serve on its board of trustees and as President at the age of 90. And he’s looking for more.

How did the Huntsman World Senior Games get started?

It started with a golf course really. I thought St. George had a lot of potential as a resort, recreation and retirement community. There were about 4,000 living there at the time and nobody had ever thought of it that way. I met with a bunch of farmers who owned some land and they liked the idea and agreed to sell and so we got a  golf course built. Then we built a Hilton Hotel, town homes and some sport facilities for swimming and tennis and so on.

But I knew we needed something to really introduce people to St. George, and the idea of having some kind of senior sport activity would be a good way to attract people to come and maybe buy a home. That’s how we got into it. My wife Daisy and I put the idea out for a senior Olympic type event, and it was Daisy who suggested it wouldn’t cost any more to invite people from all over the whole world.

We really didn’t know who would show up, and it has had its ups and downs, but things worked out and it just kept growing to be what it is now.

It always starts with an idea or a vision. But it takes more than one person and the resources necessary to make it happen, and in this case you were successful with attracting the support.

There were many people who believed in the idea and greatly contributed. So many. Of course you need money to do something like this, and I was fortunate to meet Jon Huntsman and that he saw the potential and came in to support. Jon is the type of guy who supports something that is needed and he and his family have been with our games all through these years. I really think he was never looking out for Jon Huntsman but was looking out for all of these participants coming in and for what it represents.

So this started as a business venture and quickly became different from any other?

From my point of view it really started with thinking of a way to increase the value of some property for a resort development.  But honestly it became more about having something really worthwhile that represents health, friendship and peace…that’s been the highlight of what we were about.  It just came naturally. There’s been so much enjoyment.  There’s the health benefits of having these games. And It’s amazing the friendships that have been developed over the years. There are so many long term athletes that have become buddies forever.

It kinda brought my wife and me closer together too. She wasn’t an athlete before but got involved doing the race walk for many years before she passed.

Tennis is your senior sport.  Have you played it all of your life?

I thought I was a pretty fast runner in junior high and high school and then found out I wasn’t the fastest (laughs).  But I’ve always tried to be in good shape.  And it gains importance the older you get.  And tennis is a great way to go.

I’ve played tennis off and on for a long time. I’ve been interested in it ever since I listened to matches on the radio with players like Don Budge.  I’ve never won any tournaments but I’ve enjoyed the exercise and the camaraderie that comes with playing.  It’s a great sport and I wish I was better at it, but I totally enjoy playing and watching it.  I’ve made every year of the Huntsman games except one year when I had triple bypass heart surgery. It’s been ten years since that and I’m glad I’ve survived and could continue to participate.

My main incentive is naturally to be in good shape and be active. I’m still sitting here at my desk at 90 years old and I’m going after things that have possibilities financially. I get excited about the challenge, you know sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t.

So you’re admittedly not an elite athlete. What is your motivation to compete?

I always want to win a medal, and I haven’t won that many. But it’s a good incentive. But it’s all the other things I’ve mentioned too.  I’m going to play doubles in the 90 plus group with a guy from Florida I’ve gotten to know, and I wouldn’t have met him any other way. To meet new people and to see old friends is exciting and rewarding. These games are a great way to do it. There’s nothing like it. It’s a unique experience.

There’s also the health and exercise benefits. What would you say to those who are not doing anything to be active? Exercising is the greatest thing you can do. You can’t beat it if you want to live a good life, a healthy life and a long life. There are more seniors around now so I think there’s such a great need for people to be sold on the idea that exercising- and doing sports like what we’re doing – is how you can feel good and be in shape and live longer. I’m sold on it! It’s not good to postpone it. But no matter what age you are, you can start doing something and be better.

We always ask people who inspire others about their inspirations. Who has been yours?

My wife Daisy.  She’s Number One and always had the right sense about what to do. Our friend John Wunderli is an attorney who donated his services to draw up our nonprofit papers, and he asked us “What should we put down here for what you stand for?”  I had already thought we would be about friendship and health, but when I asked Daisy she said “Well, you look around the world and you see all this conflict, so why don’t we promote peace among us?” That made it a huge undertaking to stand for. She was always at the center of putting it all together. Oh, yes, later we added fun as another goal. And it has been fun.

It’s awful humbling to think about it, to tell you the truth. It’s inspiring to me to walk down Main Street and meet some of these accomplished folks who think it’s really something to meet someone who was part of getting it started. I’m humbled, pleased and proud to have been a part of it.  But I don’t like to take the credit.  I’m just grateful for the people who helped get it going and for the leadership we have with the games now.  I think it has even more potential. We’re just getting started!