The Old College Try – August 2018 Athlete of the Month
Ken Mink, 83, Maryville, Tennessee
An often-heard joke among senior athletes after a good performance is, “Too bad you don’t have any college eligibility left.” Of course, no one takes it seriously, right?
Basketballer Ken Mink did, setting a most unique sports record in the process. Ten years ago, at the age of 73, the longtime Senior Games participant stepped on the court with his Roane State Raiders team and became the world’s oldest college basketball player in history. The record still stands.
A misunderstanding made this unlikely feat possible. In 1956, while playing on his college team at Lees Junior College in Jackson, Kentucky, Ken was unjustly accused of being the perpetrator of a prank on his coach and he was expelled from school. 50 years later and living in Knoxville, he got the urge to try to return to college basketball as a septuagenarian to finish his last year of eligibility.
Incredibly, he enrolled at Roane State College in nearby Harriman and made the team, playing in seven games and scoring free throws and baskets in three, which set several world records. Ken attracted international publicity, such as this ESPN Outside The Lines feature that recounts the history and validates his innocence.
The news stories and TV talk show appearances were not the only highlights of this experience, as Ken came to appreciate being a senior role model. “As I was traveling with my Roane State team hundreds of elderly basketball fans told me they had been inspired by my performance at my age and said they were going to become more active in their own lives.”
In recent years, Ken started a nonprofit called Get Up and Go and obtained funding to perform halftime skills exhibitions at college and high school basketball games, including the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Tech and King University. “I demonstrate dribbling, shooting, and passing, doing things that are out of the norm for people my age,” Ken says. “It’s gone well. I’ve gotten standing ovations at every one of them.”
Ken Mink, Lees Junior College, Jackson, Ky., 1955-56 and at Roane State 2008-09
Ken keeps active practicing and competing with a senior basketball team in Knoxville and golfs on a regular basis and has won more than a dozen gold medals in Senior Games basketball, golf and track. His name might also be recognized for a professional career spanning 50 years as a journalist and author of 23 books, including The Ken Mink Story which recounts his experiences. Ken has retired from full-time newspaper work but is still a prolific writer focusing on travel and golf subjects, including editing The Traveling Adventurer magazine and being part of the Golf Travel Writers of America providing regional, national and international features.
You might think that’s the end of this story, but there’s more. Ken has signed with a Hollywood producer and given his blessing for a movie based on his life. “They sent me a nice check for using my story, the script is written, and they have hired a director,” the Hazard (Vicco), Kentucky native says. “The working title is Bucket and they say it should be completed within a year.”
We’ve glad that Ken has included Senior Games in his still-busy schedule. “It’s a great way for older Americans to compete in many sports,” he observes. “I just want to show people they don’t have to be anchored to a couch nor do they need to have my capabilities. Seniors can start slowly and set goals to build up to a great exercise regimen. After all, when you reach my age, every year you are on earth is an accomplishment in itself!”
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Long Run – August 2018
We’ve Moved!
NSGA HQ has relocated to Clearwater, Florida. Please make note of our new contact information.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 5630, Clearwater FL 33758-5630
Main Phone: (727) 475-1187
Association News
Personal Best Heads Northwest for Two Presentations
NSGA took the Personal Best initiative to the road with visits to Washington and Idaho over the past month, generating surprises, high emotions and inspirational moments. Check out our two newest in-depth athlete features and blog entries for details and photos. It’s well worth the time to read!
Olympic Surprise in Olympia, Washington!
Father and son senior pole vaulters Chuck and Phil Milliman knew they were being honored with Personal Best recognition at the opening social event for the 2018 Washington State Senior Games. However, the gregarious duo had no idea that a legendary Olympic pole vaulter from the state would ambush them at the ceremony!
Idaho Was No Small Potatoes!
We were greeted in Boise with a handshake and left with a hug. Idaho Senior Games does a great job and we made many friends while honoring Personal Best athlete Dick Johnson and catching some sport action over the next two days. Local media provided significant coverage of our visit to this jewel of a city that has seen explosive growth in recent years.
Game On!
Age-Specific Sport Schedule is Now Online!
The eagerly anticipated Age-Specific Sport Schedule for The Games in Albuquerque is now available. Please follow the link below to access the downloadable schedule that will tell you when your sport and age division will be playing. Competition details such as brackets, draws, pools, times, etc. will be posted on each sport page about two weeks before the Games open. Schedules may be subject to change.
2019 Competition Schedules Page
2019 Housing Link is Now Open
We’re pleased to announce that the Travel and Lodging page is open and athletes can begin making hotel reservations now. The online booking system is the same used in 2017 that brought many athlete compliments.
NSGA is fortunate to have National Travel Systems (NTS) as the Official Travel Partner for the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana. Their goal is to enhance the overall experience for you, the participant, by offering a variety of discounted hotel options to choose from to best meet your personal needs.
When you book with NTS, you are also assisting us to capture history that will help to obtain great rates and hotels for future events. With NTS you are able to book now, just by guaranteeing the room with a card – no upfront payment needed! Hotel cancellations are at the hotel standard policies. See you in ABQ!
Travel and Lodging Page – NTS Online Booking
Fewer Qualifying Events Remain – Get Into the Games
/>Summer is moving on and the year has fewer remaining options to qualify for the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana. Have you made your plans to get into The Games?
The State Information page at NSGA.com is where you will find a downloadable master calendar, coordinator contact list, and links to find all of our Member Games. Action starting in September is in CA (Encore), GA, IN, KS, KY, NJ and SD. Many other states have events continuing in specific sports, including AR, CN, DE, IL, LA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NV, NM, NC, OK, VT and WI. Each state handles its own registration and games management, so check their web links for complete details on each.
2019 Venue Spotlight: Track and Field
The University of New Mexico Track and Field Complex will be buzzing with activity for the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana, hosting all track and field events plus the 1500M Race Walk and 1500 Power Walk. Power Walk is a new medal sport for The Games. The world class training environment and facilities at UNM provide an opportunity for exceptional running and field event performances.
The UMN campus is centrally located in Albuquerque, and the track stadium seats 5,000. The 400-meter Versaturf construction track has eight racing lanes. To bolster performances, sprints can be run in either direction to mitigate the effects of unfavorable weather. The two jumps runways, two pole vault runways and a high jump apron are also of Versaturf construction.
Your (Sandia) Peak Experience is Waiting
The 2.7-mile ascent on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to the peak of the Sandia Mountains is a thrilling, can’t-miss attraction. At night, the city lights below sparkle like a million jewels.
The tram transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain, where you can see nature’s dramatic beauty unfold. At sunset, the desert skies produce a spectacular array of color from the observation deck and an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the “Land of Enchantment.” After your tram ride, stop by Sandiago’s Grill for a delicious meal and margarita.
August Athlete of the Month
The Old College Try
An often-heard joke among senior athletes after a good performance is, “Too bad you don’t have any college eligibility left.” Of course, no one takes it seriously, right?
Basketballer Ken Mink did, setting a most unique sports record in the process. Ten years ago, at the age of 73, the longtime Senior Games participant stepped on the court with his Roane State Raiders team and became the world’s oldest college basketball player in history. The record still stands.
A misunderstanding made this unlikely feat possible. In 1956, while playing on his college team at Lees Junior College in Jackson, Kentucky, Ken was unjustly accused of being the perpetrator of a prank on his coach and he was expelled from school. 50 years later and living in Knoxville, he got the urge to try to return to college basketball as a septuagenarian to finish his last year of eligibility.
Incredibly, he enrolled at Roane State College in nearby Harriman and made the team, playing in seven games and scoring free throws and baskets in three, which set several world records. Ken attracted international publicity, such as this ESPN Outside The Lines feature that recounts the history and validates his innocence.
The news stories and TV talk show appearances were not the only highlights of this experience, as Ken came to appreciate being a senior role model. “As I was traveling with my Roane State team hundreds of elderly basketball fans told me they had been inspired by my performance at my age and said they were going to become more active in their own lives.”
In recent years, Ken started a nonprofit called Get Up and Go and obtained funding to perform halftime skills exhibitions at college and high school basketball games, including the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Tech and King University. “I demonstrate dribbling, shooting, and passing, doing things that are out of the norm for people my age,” Ken says. “It’s gone well. I’ve gotten standing ovations at every one of them.”
Ken keeps active practicing and competing with a senior basketball team in Knoxville and golfs on a regular basis and has won more than a dozen gold medals in Senior Games basketball, golf and track. His name might also be recognized for a professional career spanning 50 years as a journalist and author of 23 books, including The Ken Mink Story which recounts his experiences. Ken has retired from full-time newspaper work but is still a prolific writer focusing on travel and golf subjects, including editing The Traveling Adventurer magazine and being part of the Golf Travel Writers of America providing regional, national and international features.
You might think that’s the end of this story, but there’s more. Ken has signed with a Hollywood producer and given his blessing for a movie based on his life. “They sent me a nice check for using my story, the script is written, and they have hired a director,” the Hazard (Vicco), Kentucky native says. “The working title is Bucket and they say it should be completed within a year.”
We’ve glad that Ken has included Senior Games in his still-busy schedule. “It’s a great way for older Americans to compete in many sports,” he observes. “I just want to show people they don’t have to be anchored to a couch nor do they need to have my capabilities. Seniors can start slowly and set goals to build up to a great exercise regimen. After all, when you reach my age, every year you are on earth is an accomplishment in itself!”
We want to hear more great stories! To submit yours, or to nominate a fellow athlete who inspires you, Please Click Here.
Social Media: Like Us? Make Sure You Really “LIKE” Us
NSGA’s social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@seniorgames1) have become powerful and cost-effective promotional tools to spread the word about the Senior Games Movement. YOU can help us reach more people by simply liking our page and also liking, commenting and sharing with our Facebook and Instagram posts. Liking and replying or retweeting us on Twitter has the same boosting effect. By interacting with our pages, it also tells them that you want to see more of the same content from National Senior Games. So, like, do it!
Senior Health and Wellness
SAFE Program Serves Athletes, Provides Helpful Fitness Research
The Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE), which began at The National Senior Games in Houston in 2011, measures the fitness level of athletes and provides a comprehensive overview of components critical to health promotion and injury prevention. This includes cardiovascular risk, strength, flexibility, and balance. SAFE, under the direction of the National Senior Games Foundation, is unique as it specifically caters to senior athletes and uses results from other athletes of the same age groups for comparison.
Since 2011, SAFE has been offered at both National Senior Games and at selected state level games. If you were one of the more than 800 athletes who participated at The Games in Birmingham last year, you were sent a “report card” shortly thereafter with your immediate results and recommendations. For those who requested detailed results and strategies for improvement, that email should have arrived over the past two weeks. If you didn’t make this request, but still wish to receive your results, please e-mail Dr. Becca Jordre at be**********@*sd.edu.
The results of testing in Birmingham show that athletes demonstrate superb exercise habits, and that most are intrinsically motivated to do so. Last year, the average participant logged 5.5 hours of cardiovascular exercise and one hour strength training per week. This surpasses the exercise guidelines set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most importantly, SAFE data found that senior athletes suffered significantly lower rates of cardiovascular disease and a rate of Diabetes that was 80% lower than the general population. Strength findings demonstrated that male senior athletes were 15-25% stronger and female senior athletes were 20-35% stronger than their non-athletic peers. Senior athlete posture was 75% better than the general population, and scores for flexibility were superior for each area tested. Further, senior athletes are continuing to demonstrate balance scores that exceed those found in the general population with annual falls rates that are 67% lower. This translates to an anticipated higher quality of life and lower mortality rates. These are numbers to be proud of!
Jordre (the creator of the SAFE), the NSG Foundation, and NSGA staff will facilitate the return of SAFE at the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana. She is coordinating with physical therapists in Albuquerque to prepare for this, including submission of a health promotion grant through the American Physical Therapy Association. “This is an amazing population of motivated and healthy older adults whose health preservation is often overlooked by our healthcare system,” Jordre explains.
Several member qualifying Games are again offering SAFE screenings, including at the National Veterans Golden Age Games recently held in Albuquerque. Two hundred and thirty athletes were also screened during the New Mexico Senior Olympics held in the Host City for The Games in 2019. Contact your state coordinator to find out if SAFE is offered during your Games this year.
Finally, in September NSGA will be participating in National Falls Prevention Awareness Day advocacy. The next newsletter will address specific balance results from SAFE research and offer ways to preserve balance and prevent falls associated with aging.
Contest Reminder: Tell Us “How Are You Aging with a New Attitude?”
NSGA and 2019 Flame Arrival Ceremony Sponsor SmartyPants Vitamins want to hear how senior athletes are “Aging With a New Attitude.” Tell us your answer in 100 words or less using the link below to our easy online form. Five winners will receive a SmartyPants prize package including a three-month supply of vitamin products and other goodies. Deadline to enter is September 30, 2018. Winning entries will be shared on the NSGA.com webpage and in social media later this year.
Contest Entry Form
NSGA Online Merchandise Store
- Published in Newsletter
Idaho Visit was No Small Potatoes!
Left to Right: NSGA CEO Marc T. Riker, Lawana Johnson, Dick Johnson, Idaho Senior Games Coordinator Mike Thornton
Nearly 300 athletes and friends gathered for the 2018 Idaho Senior Games (ISG) kickoff BBQ held on August 2nd at scenic Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise. They got more meat than just tasty chicken and pulled pork with an NSGA Personal Best presentation recognizing 78-year-old Boise athlete Dick Johnson, who inspires others to pursue active lifestyles with his “never say quit” outlook. (Read his feature “Pickleball Saved My Life” here.)
NSGA CEO Marc T. Riker lauded the Idaho native for his perseverance, sharing that Johnson was a champion tennis player for three decades until back fusion surgery made it difficult for him to cover a tennis court. “When he got out of shape and was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, Dick found a treatment program that helped him manage diet, lose weight and avoid insulin shots. But he needed a way to stay motivated to exercise,” Riker said. “The sport of pickleball suited him with its smaller court size, and it provided the same level of workout as tennis had been. He was back on track.”
In only five years, Johnson twice medaled in all seven recognized national and world pickleball championships in the same year, including the National Senior Games. He’s racked up close to 200 medals – mostly gold – in these majors and more than 90 tournaments across the country, including Idaho Senior Games.
However, an emotional Johnson told the assembled athletes, “I am most honored by this because it’s about something more than just the medals,” he said. “The philosophy of the Senior Games is all about good health, win or lose. I was on a down turn when I found Senior Games and pickleball. I literally believe that pickleball saved my life.”
The program generated several media stories, including a news story shown on KTVB Channel 7 (NBC) and a nice feature in The Idaho Press-Tribune, among others. Attracting media attention is just one of the goals of our Personal Best state visits, but equally important is to recognize and inspire all of the athletes in attendance. “You know, we have to pick one as an example, and we had many stories to choose from,” Riker said. “But the reality is that all of you exhibit the same pursuit of your own Personal Best, and each of you is an example to others, showing the way to enjoy an active and full life.”
2018 marks the 29th year that Idaho Senior Games has been offering fitness, fun and fellowship, and all of those attributes were on full display when competition began with swimming the next day and at other competitions held on the first weekend of the event. With registrations approaching 700, this will be ISG’s largest games in their history. As always at Senior Games events, Riker and NSGA staffer Del Moon observed some of the most positive-minded and healthy seniors to be found anywhere during the visit. Above we found Dick Johnson and his wife Lawana enjoying table tennis doubles play. Here’s a few others of the many we met:
You just can’t stop 58-year-old swimmer Blake Olson of Boise. No, really, he wouldn’t stop in his 200 meter freestyle event, launching back for another lap after he had actually already finished. When the crowd finally got his attention at the other turn, he merely grinned and flexed his guns. Yeah, you meant to do that Blake!
Idaho attracts many out-of-state athletes with Idaho connections. Keith Murry, 60 (left) and brother Craig, 57, have family in Idaho, so Keith came from northern Virginia and Craig flew up from San Rafeal, California to enjoy a swim meet reunion. Keith has competed in the last four National Senior Games and plans to swim in five state Games this year. Craig also qualified and thinks he can make the hop over to Albuquerque next June because doing this with his brother was too much fun.
We met another traveling athlete with a special passion at the 5K and 40K cycling events out on the mesa. Bonnie Parrish-Kell not only cycles and race walks, she also coordinates the annual triathlon for the Nevada Senior Games, and is also the self-described “Publisher and Chief Motivational Diva” for SlowPokeDivas, an online resource of health and fitness information and inspiration for women primarily over 40, out of shape or overweight to fully enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle and outdoor sports. “Wait for me, I’ll probably be the last one in,” she joked before the road race. Posing with Bonnie is 83-year-old John Crowely of nearby Nampa, Idaho, the oldest cyclist in the event. John showed great stamina and finished both events with a smile. “I’m a middle-of-the-pack guy, but I’m here for the fun and to challenge myself.” Bring that smile to Albuquerque, John!
Table Tennis medalists and organizers celebrate another great eventWe cannot end this blog without noting that the Idaho Senior Games is fortunate to have an engaged board of directors and an able coordinator in Mike Thornton. We also have to express a big “Wow!” about our impression of Boise. It has seen explosive growth over the past decade, and the result is a friendly and vibrant community that is looking forward with pride while preserving its heritage. No wonder “the City of Trees” and the natural beauty of the state has made it a “hot potato” for tourism!
- Published in News and Events, Personal Best Tour Blogs
Where to Start?
By: Del Moon
Where to start?
I should have started blogging when I joined the National Senior Games staff in 2013 as communications and media director. But some baggage came with me that had to be sorted out, and more details will be shared in future entries. But it’s now comfortable to share personal thoughts about helping to raise awareness about the Senior Games Movement…and how my own life relates to it.
The reason my comfort zone has expanded is because I finally crossed the Rubicon and decided to compete in a sport at age 65. Last month, while on a trip for a Personal Best public relations event at the Washington State Senior Games, I stepped on the track in Olympia and competed in their 1500-meter Power Walk event.
I can just envision every one of my longtime friends and family members laughing or turning their faces into “Wow” emojis. But it’s true, and this blog is intended to lock the door behind my decision and force me to follow through. I have to do this. It’s about my quality of life.
It was my first competition since middle school, and I’ll share how it went and what I was thinking in the next blog. Suffice to say that it exceeded my expectations. I hadn’t even thought forward about anything but keeping a pace and establishing a 1500 time to practice against, so it took a minute to sink in that a gold medal was hanging around my neck. Emoji time.
You see, I have never been a sporty type, only having played little league baseball and schoolyard games as a youth. There’s a medical reason of sorts for avoiding strenuous sports (more on that later) but I now realize it should never have been an excuse to not be active. I also have this thing with food – I love to cook and eat. I lived in Louisiana for 25 years and they take your Man Card if you don’t learn how to cook there. Unfortunately, I love it a little too much and have carried that legacy forward over my belt.
The decades and low activity added pound after pound. Last year, I got a double whammy from my doctor: I had reached my highest all-time weight, and lab work showed I was climbing high on the pre-diabetes scale. Ruh Roh.
Summer 2017 – Taking in the solar eclipse at Two Medicine Lake at Glacier National Park with my sister and wife. I was growing a ‘lunar eclipse’ in my belly!
So there I was, the keyboard behind the NSGA message urging aging folks to stay active to achieve their optimum health and longevity, which is the heart of the Personal Best initiative I created five years ago. Yet, I wasn’t walking the talk. The epiphany came that I was exactly the sedentary Baby Boomer I was trying to reach!
Action time. At my doctor’s advice, I took a pre-diabetes awareness course at the local Y and learned how to put together all the stuff I really already knew to set a course of action. I’ve done diets and always saw the pounds jump back on my gut. This course did not restrict any food, but taught balance, portion control and avoiding triggers and traps that sabotage good efforts. I had to keep track of what I ate and not go over “bank” of daily fat grams assigned for me. It also highly promoted the need for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
At the end of the year-long program I had lost over 25 pounds, and I immediately targeted another 10 pounds as my ultimate goal for maintenance. For activity, my wonderful wife and I upped our occasional morning walks to five times a week as a baseline, and this has now become habit.
So, the stage was set. I became intrigued when NSGA decided to add Power Walk as a medal sport for the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana. It’s not as technically demanding as Race Walk, and is therefore offers a gateway sport that people with little or no experience can participate in.
There’s one additional motivation I have latched onto. As I pondered actually doing this, a thought came up: Has anyone working for NSGA ever actually competed in The Games? After some research, it seems no one has. That did it – I had a goal to be the first staffer to compete in National Senior Games. There’s no turning back now!
Stick with me as I “walk you through” my journey to The Games, and there will be plenty of diversions to share favorite stories, pertinent memories and inspirational moments, sprinkled with dumb humor. The fun is just beginning.
- Published in Moon Walking