Des Moines to Host National Senior Games in 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 20, 2023) – The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) announced they will be hosting the National Senior Games in Greater Des Moines in 2025. The NSGA promotes the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness, and active aging to adults 50 years and older. The National Senior Games is the largest multi-sport championship event in the world for adults 50 and over, typically drawing more than 10,000 qualified athletes from every state and beyond to compete in more than 20 sports.
Pickleball competition at the 2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana.
“We are honored to be able to host a world-class event that will bring thousands of inspiring athletes to Des Moines,” said Catch Des Moines President and CEO Greg Edwards, who participated in the passing of the ceremonial torch at current host Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. “From the National Veterans Golden Age Games to the AAU Junior Olympics, we’ve proven to be the perfect host for these types of multi-sport, marquee events, and the Senior Games is yet another opportunity to showcase our first-class venues and vibrant metro.”
National Senior Games athletes will compete at various venues around Greater Des Moines.
“Des Moines is a thriving sports city with all the ingredients – excellent venues, a walkable downtown, and welcoming community – to create a first-rate experience for the 2025 National Senior Games,” said Sue Hlavacek, NSGA Interim CEO. “We are excited to partner with Catch Des Moines to produce this event and know athletes will find many unexpected delights in the region.”
The NSGA sanctions qualifying games through 53 Member Organizations across the U.S. and Canada during even-numbered years, and produces the National Senior Games on odd-numbered years.
###
About Catch Des Moines
The Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, collectively known as Catch Des Moines, is the official destination marketing organization promoting and representing Greater Des Moines to leisure travelers and meeting/sports planners. Our focus is to increase visitors to the metro and elevate the visitor experience to drive economic success and enhance the quality of life in the 14 local Greater Des Moines communities we represent. For more information, visit catchdesmoines.com.
About NSGA
The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is a nonprofit corporation that promotes the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness, and active aging to adults 50+. NSGA is an Affiliate Organization Council Member of the United States Olympic Paralympic Committee and governs the biennial National Senior Games, the largest qualified multi-sport event in the world. The Association is comprised of 52 independent Member Games that conduct qualifying competition events. The 2025 National Senior Games will be held in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, please visit NSGA.com and follow @SeniorGames1 on social media.
- Published in News and Events, Press Releases
Bridging Pitt Interns into Champions of Aging
Introduction by Del Moon, NSGA Communications and Media Director:
The Theme for the 2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana was “Bridging Champions Through the Ages” to recognize the intergenerational impact of Senior Games. Our Games Daily online feature platform reflects that as we “turned over the keys” to some very talented young people to see The Games through their eyes and see how it impacted them.
Working with college interns is always a highlight of my Media Center work. For 2023, we recruited six film and broadcast media interns from the University of Pittsburgh to produce stories that give impressions of The Games and its special atmosphere. Despite having limited time to train and operating on a grueling daily deadline schedule, they did not disappoint us. We are grateful to Pitt’s Kevin Smith for his teaching skill and guidance, and for providing access to these talented young communicators.
We wanted them to tell their stories as they perceived them and in their style in order to showcase their creativity and talent. In turn, their experiences with Senior Athletes made a profound impression on them.
Read on to find out what they learned from their assignments and go back to read all of the archived Games Daily editions to enjoy their work.
Maya Valletta
I had never heard of the National Senior Games before or didn’t know what to expect in terms of the type of content I would be producing and what the creative process would look like.
This opportunity gave me lots of practice with video creation and putting together packages, and I enjoyed getting back into the world of sports media since I haven’t had the chance to work in that area in a year. My favorite part was speaking with the many inspiring athletes which simultaneously helped me work on my on the field reporting. I enjoyed the variety of work that the different sports provided that kept the assignments feeling fresh and interesting.
Working for over five years in a retirement home put a different perspective of aging in my head compared to seeing athletes in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s be able to move so quickly and precisely. They are living proof of the benefits of staying active and really showed me that aging doesn’t have to mean dreading a retirement home. It was touching to see how the sports brought together generations of families and people from all over the world.
Andrew Black
When I first applied to be a media intern at the National Senior Games I looked at the opportunity as a way to develop my professional skills. As the internship progressed I realized there was much more to learn. Talking with the athletes changed my perspective on aging. They showed me that getting older doesn’t make you weaker, it just brings new challenges your way. Many of the athletes I spoke to had overcome these challenges, accomplishing remarkable athletic feats.
The Senior Games made me realize that life is a marathon, not a sprint, and that finding balance at my age is essential. I don’t want to dig myself into a hole or over-exert myself, because of the Senior Games reminder that life is long and doesn’t have to slow down.
I want to thank all of the athletes I had the privilege of talking to. I was inspired day in and day out, the opportunity to share their stories was one I will not forget. I hope that as I get older, I can remember their messages and follow in their footsteps.
Isaiah Stewart
Being a student athlete makes me look at this in a whole different perspective! When I first decided to participate in the National Senior Games, I had certain expectations in mind. I anticipated a highly competitive environment with seasoned athletes showcasing their skills and determination. I also expected to witness the power of aging individuals, defying stereotypes and proving that age is just a number.
However, what I discovered exceeded my initial expectations. The National Senior Games were not only about competition, but also about camaraderie, support, and celebration of life. I witnessed athletes from various backgrounds and walks of life coming together with a shared passion for sports and a desire to challenge themselves physically and mentally. The atmosphere was electric, filled with energy and excitement, as participants cheered each other on, regardless of their individual performance.
The athletes I encountered were not only fit and determined but also incredibly inspiring. They demonstrated resilience, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of personal excellence. Each participant had a unique story, and I was humbled by their dedication and the obstacles they had overcome.
My experience at the National Senior Games profoundly affected my view on aging. Witnessing these athletes in action made me realize that age should never be a barrier to pursuing one’s passions and dreams. It taught me that staying active and engaged, both physically and mentally, can lead to a fulfilling and vibrant life, regardless of the number of candles on the birthday cake.
It shattered stereotypes, redefined the concept of aging, and inspired me to approach life’s challenges with a newfound perspective. It’s a lesson I will carry with me, cherishing the moments and opportunities life presents, regardless of the number of years I’ve lived.
Kanney Wong
This experience at the National Senior Games was a rite of passage into expanding my skills in media. I entered the position with this trade off in mind: I provide social media content (something I’m confident in) all while shadowing videographers and editors (a rather unfamiliar world for me). The first story assignment quickly popped that bubble.
My mind raced with intimidated what-if’s of having to memorize camera settings or being unprepared. Geared with my phone and a lapel microphone, that worry faded away. This experience was purely about showcasing incredible people, people that resisted the limitations of age. Each report was unexpectedly exciting and I took away such special bites of wisdom from it all. My afternoons were then spent discovering editing shortcuts and testing my creativity. With each story, I felt myself becoming more confident in these skills. Some highlights include hearing a Malaysian couple that gushed over each other and conversing with archers that relayed their sport philosophies to life.
Zach Grabowski
Aging has always been something that I’ve looked at warily. It is something that, if looked at with a pessimistic lens, can seem depressing. But observing the magnitude of the athleticism of these people has given me hope for the future. It won’t be a cake walk, obviously, but with the correct regimen I can still be energetic and limber when I’m 90. I’ve gotten to speak to some extraordinary people, and I can say that I will cherish those conversations and experiences for the rest of my life.
When I started this internship, I had only experienced working on projects that I had more than one day to complete. I expected to be challenged by the workload. It was difficult but ultimately very rewarding working this way, though I could only do it temporarily and probably no longer than the two weeks of this internship.
I learned very quickly that the work that needed to be done would have to be imperfect in order to make sure the stories got done in a timely manner. The delineation of tasks between me and my partner was very satisfying. Without hesitation, we agreed how to split the workload effectively after the first day. In doing this, we achieved great success in our projects. The time it took to drive to the location, film, and interview was done as one unit, then we would gather the footage and decide which one of us would complete the editing. We were satisfied with this system and it produced projects quickly.
David Altman
Growing up watching the Penn Relays, I didn’t anticipate the National Senior Games to be much different than tough competition.
To my surprise, I found out that it was more than that. In my life, never had I seen a group so dedicated to doing something, just to do it, and feel accomplishment from feeling what they did. Each and every one of these athletes competed to the fullest whether it was about winning the competition or not. Most were just grateful to be there.
I will never forget a lesson that this experience taught me, which is to always be grateful for where you are, accept any challenge that comes your way, and to live life to the fullest and stay healthy all throughout your life.
- Published in Games Daily News
2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana Will Celebrate Generations of Fitness
More than 11,500 Senior Athletes set to compete
PITTSBURGH, PA – Senior Athletes like to say age is just a number. When you bring 11,576 Senior Athletes together for a display of healthy active aging, it’s a number that really gets your attention.
That’s what Pittsburgh will witness when athletes aged 50 and over compete in 20 medal sports at the 2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana, taking place at venues around the region from July 7-18. Another 15,000 family members and companions are expected to travel with them. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center will serve as the hub of activity, hosting several sports and the popular Village expo area open to the public.
The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) says this represents the fourth largest number in the 35-year history of The Games, and the Olympic-style event is now recognized as the largest qualified multisport event in the world.
“Pittsburgh is the City of Champions and loves their sports,” NSGA Interim CEO Sue Hlavacek said. “We believe this has engaged the city to embrace our athletes. We’re grateful for the community support for the volunteers who are coming out to help.”
The Games are made possible by a partnership with the host community. “Pittsburgh has earned a reputation as a major sports and travel destination, and we’re delighted to welcome the National Senior Games and its inspirational athletes to town,” SportsPITTSBURGH Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins said. “More than 10,000 athletes from all over the country will take part in the competition, which gives us a great opportunity to highlight the importance of health and wellness for those over the age of 50. We are committed to providing the athletes, their supporters and event personnel with a first-class experience on and off the playing fields, showcasing all the great attractions Pittsburgh has to offer.”
“Bridging Champions Through the Ages”
Competitions are held in five-year age brackets from 50 to 100+. The oldest competitor is 104-year old track sprinter E. Gerald Meyer of Laramie, Wyoming, who earned one of his degrees at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Three other Centenarians will compete, notably runner Roy Englert of Virginia, one of only two remaining athletes to have competed in every National Senior Games since 1987. Other triple-digit athletes include Ohio bowler Merle Meeder and table tennis player Robert Henry from South Carolina.
The 2023 Theme “Bridging Champions Through the Ages” highlights the many ways that these active older athletes impact the generations. Many children have aged up and joined their parents in the Games, and others teach or work with younger people as role models for successful aging. Pennsylvania’s oldest competitor is Pittsburgh native Jack Eckenrode, who will cycle and run track at age 95 and proudly states, “I have 12 children, 42 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren, and all of them ride bikes like me!”
Hlavacek noted this theme highlights the NSGA mission to promote well-being that goes well beyond hosting athletic competitions. “Senior athletes are not just going for medals, they are also gaining the benefits of social interaction and having goals to motivate them to keep moving,” she said. “It’s a lifelong journey that can begin for anyone, at any skill level, at any age. We hope our examples inspire all aging adults to remain active for life whether they choose to play a sport or do something else recreationally.”
Rooftop Torch Relay, Drone Show Kicks Off Special Events and Programs
The Flame Arrival Ceremony is set for Saturday evening, July 8th at a new rooftop terrace space at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The program will feature a welcome by former Pirates All-Star and World Series champion Steve Blass, and Cherokee cyclist Simeon Gipson will present gifts to Pittsburgh from the Cherokee nation after he made a 1,000 mile bike trek from Oklahoma to Pittsburgh.
The highlight will be a Torch Run that will begin at the Willie Stargell statue by PNC Park and cross the Rachel Carson Bridge into the convention center, arriving at a cauldron specifically homemade in the Steel City. A drone show provided by Sky Elements will close the night in a spectacular setting overlooking the Allegheny River and downtown. The event is free and open to the public.
There will also be a Celebration of Athletes on Friday, July 14th hosted by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the iconic PNC Park, with onfield recognition and the Parade of States happening prior to the game, and then athletes will enjoy the baseball game.
Three other public programs and activities are planned during the Games. Details on these, Village information and more can be found at the Special Events page at NSGA.com.
Another major activity at the convention center will be the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE). SAFE has conducted athlete screenings at The Games since 2011 and reflects NSGA’s mission to promote health and well-being. The ongoing program has produced valuable research metrics about highly active seniors while providing feedback to athletes to help them avoid future sport-related injuries.
A Sponsor for the Ages
Humana has been a major sponsor of the National Senior Games for more than 15 years and stands with NSGA to celebrate senior athletes who are demonstrating healthy, active lifestyles. “I am continuously impressed by this generation of seniors who aren’t just aging, they are living vibrant lives. As a champion of seniors, Humana has proudly served as the presenting sponsor of the National Senior Games since 2007 to cheer on these incredible athletes who embody a commitment to an active lifestyle,” said Bruce Broussard, Humana’s CEO. “The more than 11,500 athletes participating in this year’s Games are an inspiration to me, and I hope their stories inspire others to pursue activities that will positively impact their health and well-being.”
Additional partners include SilverSneakers, Arnicare, Jouvalle, Techness Pro, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Growing Bolder, Pennsylvania Lottery, Enterprise Rental Car, UPMC Sports Medicine, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, P3R and SportsPITTSBURGH.
People can follow the action through the Games Daily online news platform with news and links to the Photo Gallery, results and activities information. Find it at this link beginning July 7. For general information please visit NSGA.com.
####
The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is a nonprofit Florida corporation that promotes health and well-being for adults 50 and over through education, fitness and sport. NSGA is an Affiliate Organization Council Member of the United States Olympic Paralympic Committee and governs the biennial National Senior Games, the largest qualified multi-sport event in the world. The Association is comprised of 52 independent Member Games that conduct qualifying competition events. The 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana will be held July 7-18,2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit NSGA.com.
MEDIA INFORMATION/CREDENTIALS: Please visit the Press Room page at NSGA.com for contacts and information.
- Published in News and Events, Press Releases