All’s Fair in Love and Volleyball: Janice and Eddie’s Smash-Hit Story
For Volleyball power couple Janice and Eddie Garner, the phrase “Ball is life” couldn’t be more true. Their love of the game has influenced the couple’s relationship and their entire family.
Being active together is a cornerstone of Janice and Eddie Garner’s over 50-year marriage. The Lone Star State lovebirds have played co-ed volleyball since their early 20s and made the love of sport a family affair. Their children often went along to sporting events and were inspired to play volleyball themselves. “Our kids are our biggest cheerleaders,” Eddie beamed.
How does their love for each other translate to on-court performance? Janice answers, “We’re a good team together, we have been a team for a long time, and we support each other in everything we do.”
When asked if they are competitive in their relationship, Janice was the first to confirm, quipping, “Ooh, girl! There is always a friendly rivalry.” Eddie quickly replied that no matter what, “We’re each other’s best supporter.” While the couple no longer play co-ed and compete with their own respective teams, they still love to poke fun at each other.
The favorite part of their relationship with the National Senior Games over two decades is undoubtedly the community they have found, which was evident in the numerous photobombs and tomfoolery from other athletes during their interview for the Games Daily. “We know everybody – we know people from all over the states, and all over the world,” Janice shared.
These Senior Games aficionados love to connect with new people. Eddie’s advice for a Games newbie is simple: “Network. Come to the Senior Games and meet people… once they get out here and get to know everyone, people can network.” Community is synonymous with the National Senior Games experience, and Janice points out that The Games “are an addictive thing.”
Janice and Eddie’s love of volleyball and each other shows no signs of stopping.
By: Sydney Parker
- Published in 2025 Games Daily News, Games Daily News, Uncategorized
Be a Safe Athlete – Take the SAFE!
Athletes can greatly benefit from the free Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) screening at the National Senior Games, which measures key aging indicators and provides personalized feedback. NSGA team member and power walker Del Moon took the SAFE and shares his experience.
The long-running Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) is a valuable measurement tool for senior athletes and is available again at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana. SAFE examines four key areas of fitness – Cardiovascular, Muscular, Flexibility and Balance. Athletes gain valuable insights and advice from their participation.
I have been on the NSGA staff since 2013 and actually became an athlete for the first time when I took up Power Walking in 2019. I’ve done the SAFE exam twice before, but now have a special reason to see how I am doing now. In April 2024, I needed a spine laminectomy procedure followed by a hip replacement in October, all of which made most forms of exercise impossible for over a year.
I know my balance isn’t where it should be and I badly needed advice. Follow the video as I go through the screening. Dr. Becca Jordre, who initiated SAFE, explains the steps:
I was not surprised to find out that I have a lot more work to do to fully recover, but since regular powerwalking is my best prescription I know I am on the right track. Becca also gave me exercises much more appropriate for me than the ones I was given in rehab. My goal is to just finish what I’m calling my “recovery race” and build for the future.
Athletes, I strongly recommend that you make the time to take the SAFE test. It is available through August 2 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and is located just outside The Village at the Mid-American Energy Company Rec Plex.
By: Del Moon
- Published in 2025 Games Daily News, Games Daily News, Uncategorized
National Senior Games Begin July 24 in Des Moines, Iowa
Still in It to Win It: National Senior Games Begin July 24 in Des Moines, Iowa
Over 12,500 athletes ages 50-100+ are registered to compete
DES MOINES, IA – The stage is set for the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana to be the second largest in the event’s history and to showcase a new perspective on aging.
More than 12,500 athletes ages 50 and over are registered to compete in this Olympic-style event, featuring 25 sports held across venues in Greater Des Moines from July 24 to August 4.
First held in 1987, the National Senior Games takes place every two years and is expected to generate more than $32 million in economic impact for the region. Competition is organized in five-year age brackets, and athletes in most sports qualify by competing in State Senior Games the year prior.
“More and more people over 50 are discovering the incredible benefits of physical activity and being part of the Senior Games community. We’re thrilled to see that growth reflected in the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana being the second largest in history,” said Susan Hlavacek, president & CEO of the National Senior Games Association. “We are grateful for the planning support of Catch Des Moines, local government officials, emergency personnel and venue managers over the past two years and look forward to a safe and successful Games.”
Athletes from all 50 states and 12 countries will gather in Des Moines to celebrate competition, community and healthy aging. The oldest athlete set to compete is centenarian Fay Bond, 101, of North Carolina.
“We are thrilled to welcome more than 12,500 athletes, along with their friends and family, to Des Moines for the National Senior Games,” said Greg Edwards, president and CEO of Catch Des Moines. “As the largest qualified multi-sport event in the world for adults ages 50 and older, this event will bring incredible energy, excitement and economic benefit to our region. These athletes are a remarkable testament to active aging and lifelong commitment to sport. Hosting the National Senior Games is another proud milestone in our legacy of hosting major national events.”
Community Invited to Attend Competitions & Special Events
The public is invited to attend The Games and enjoy special events throughout the week. Details for each event are available online at NSGA.com/SpecialEvents. All events are free except for registration to participate in the Mile for the Ages.
- Flame Arrival Ceremony – Friday, July 25
7 p.m., Iowa State Capitol Grounds, E Locust St & E 7th St, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319
Celebrate the official opening of The Games with a torch relay and ceremonial lighting of the cauldron. - Mile for the Ages – Friday, July 25
6:30 p.m., Iowa State Capitol Grounds, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319
One-mile community walk/run open to all ages. On-site registration available from 4:30-6 p.m. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. - Optimal Aging Day in Iowa – Friday, July 25
4:30-7:30 p.m., Iowa State Capitol Grounds
Interactive health and well-being activities, screenings, assessments and resources provided in partnership with the University of Iowa Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence and local health providers. - Celebration of Athletes – Monday, July 28
6:15 p.m., Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park (2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
Combination opening and closing ceremony celebrating National Senior Games athletes. - “Team Dream” Documentary Premiere – Saturday, July 26
6:30 p.m., DMACC Urban Campus, 1100 7th St. Bldg 1, Room 141/142, Des Moines, IA 50314
Iowa premiere of “Team Dream,” an award-winning short film following two swimmers from Chicago on their journey to the National Senior Games. Followed by panel and audience discussion. - Competition Tips from Olympians and Guided Mindfulness Session – Wednesday, July 30
6:30 p.m., DMACC Boone Campus, 1125 Hancock Dr., Boone, IA, 50036
Tips on mental performance for athletes from U.S. Olympian Thomas Hill (’72) and guided mindfulness-based stress reduction and meditation session from NSGA Director of Health and Well-Being, Andrew Walker, MPH.
Humana Continues Commitment to Supporting Seniors
Humana has served as presenting sponsor of the National Senior Games since 2007, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to supporting seniors in their pursuit of healthy aging.
“At Humana, we believe in empowering older adults to live healthy, active lives,” said George Renaudin, President of Insurance at Humana. “Our continued partnership with the National Senior Games Association reflects our deep commitment to celebrating the vitality and resilience of senior athletes. We’re honored to support their inspiring journeys and welcome them to the heart of the country.”
More information on the National Senior Games including venues, schedules and volunteer opportunities is available at NSGA.com.
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Note: Visit NSGA.com/Press-Room to download the event media kit. Photos and video b-roll from previous National Senior Games are available for download here, provided for editorial use only. Credit required.
About the National Senior Games Association (NSGA)
The National Senior Games Association, Inc. (NSGA) is a nonprofit corporation that promotes the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness and active aging to individuals aged 50+. NSGA is an Affiliate Organization Council Member of the United States Olympic Paralympic Committee and hosts the biennial National Senior Games, the largest qualified multi-sport event in the world for seniors. The Association is comprised of over 50 independent Member Organizations that conduct qualifying competitions. The 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana will be held in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, visit NSGA.com.
- Published in News and Events, Uncategorized
SPORTSPITTSBURGH, NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES ASSOCIATION UNVEIL 2023 NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES THEME – BRIDGING CHAMPIONS THROUGH THE AGES
- Published in News and Events, Press Releases, Uncategorized
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- Published in Uncategorized
Leading by Example – July 2022 Athlete of the Month
Lynn Roman, 52
Baden, Pennsylvania
Lynn Roman stood smiling on the beach in Key Biscayne as dawn was breaking on the 2022 National Senior Games triathlon competition. We had to ask what was on her mind. “This is my first time to National Senior Games. I didn’t even know they existed a year ago!”
Having always been an active person, Lynn was relishing the thought that she can compete with others her age into the future. Basketball skills earned her a college scholarship as a shooting guard for Penn State, where her team made the NCAA tournament three out of her four years. That experience led to college coaching stints at Duquesne, Richmond and Robert Morris before the challenges between job and family led her to settle down to teach physical education and coach basketball in the Pittsburgh area for the past 18 years.
While hoops is her love, she discovered triathlon a few years after college and found a perfect fitness fit. “Swim-bike-run was pretty much how I got my fix for working out and it became my fix for competition.”
This tri was a bit different for her. “I didn’t know what to expect for competition. I had also never swum in salt water before and wondered about what the heat would be like. But the conditions were perfect, like a swim in the lake.”
She found there was one other woman in her 50-54 age group. “My competitor had obviously done national competitions with her USA Triathlon suit, and here I was in my Under Armor tights. I was going to do my best and that would be good enough.” Her efforts were good enough to win the gold medal with a time of 1:21:30.
The Pittsburgh connection is the reason Lynn even learned about the Games, which will be held there July 7-18, 2023. “One of my neighbors brought it to my attention. She heard about this year’s event and knew my mother had retired to Fort Lauderdale and that I should go do it,” she says. “Then she told me the National Senior Games was coming to Pittsburgh next year. It was a no-brainer.”
Lynn also appreciated the event’s recognition of the 50th anniversary of Title IX. “What those women did allowed me and many, many other women and girls to have sport opportunity, and I’m grateful,” she says. She also was inspired to see the spirit on display when she checked out the basketball action in the convention center. “I’ve been in a lot of gyms with a lot of cheering, but it was cool to see the genuine excitement and competitiveness of the players, both on the floor and off court.”
Being a teacher, Lynn also knows that younger people are looking up to her. “I do take a lot of pride in being a role model to the high school kids getting ready to go into the world. But I don’t flaunt my gold medal around. I just try to lead by example,” she explains. “People that age need to understand the importance of being active, not just for how it makes them look, but how it makes them feel to enjoy competing and the social opportunities among others with common interests.”
She paused and considered having the National Senior Games in her back yard next summer. “There’s no doubt having these Games in Pittsburgh next year will bring more role models to their attention.”
- Published in Athlete of the Month, Uncategorized
Pacira Biosciences NSGA Guinness World Records for Largest Game of Freeze Dance
- Published in News and Events, Uncategorized
TRIATHLON: Blazing in Biscayne
Spirits were high for National Senior Games triathletes at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne on a muggy but gorgeous Sunday morning that promised to challenge the pack.
It was a local, 55-year-old Fabio Delgado of Miami, who streaked across the finish line in just over an hour. His best-overall time of 01:02:55.05 also placed Fabio #6 in all-time National Senior Games performances for Male 55-59.
Fabio built enough lead to keep ahead of two younger contestants in the 50-54 group who also live in the Sunshine State. David Tisdale of Clermont and James Cardozo of Jacksonville. The battle of wills ended with Tisdale leading by 14 seconds with a time of 1:09:33.41. The oldest triathlete was Wisconsin’s Leonard Reimer, who at age 84 clocked a time of 02:20:55.39. Top finishing female was 59-year-old JoEllen Reino of South Deerfield, Massachusetts who came in 8th overall in 01:14:11.23.
- Published in Uncategorized
PICKLEBALL: Newcomer and Legend Share Love of the Game
Athletes competing in Pickleball at this year’s National Senior Games have a legend in their midst, 91-year-old Joyce Jones, to thank for the tournament’s existence.
As we shared in Joyce’s 2021 Personal Best Feature, she organized a multi-year effort to get Pickleball added to the National Senior Games officially in 2012. 10 years later, 1,500+ athletes are filling pickleball courts in the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center for the 2022 Games.
Joyce Jones displays some of her medals from the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana.
This decorated badminton, tennis, and pickleball player has a near perfect attendance record for the Games, missing only one event since its inception in 1987. “The National Senior Games are such fun,” she says. “I keep saying I’m going to retire, but I keep coming back.”
Joyce has played pickleball for over 35 years and believes “it’s a game for everyone.”
“Just about everybody can have a good time just hitting it back and forth and get good exercise,” she shares when asked about pickleball’s explosion in popularity nationwide. “In tennis and badminton it takes a long time to get to the point where you can do rallies and have fun.”
Joyce still has her sights on raising the profile of pickleball saying, “My ultimate goal is to get it in the Olympics.” If anyone can make it happen, Joyce can!
National Senior Games Newcomer Snags Gold
Ron Cortese in a gold medal match at the 2022 National Senior Games.
National Senior Games newcomer Ron Cortese came to Fort Lauderdale with a medal on his mind.
Ron worked his way through the men’s 60-64 age bracket and reached the gold-medal round on May 14. The opponents kept the audience in suspense, rallying back and forth in nail biting matches. After winning the best two out of three games, Ron needed to win another 15-point game due to losing to his opponent earlier in the bracket. He accomplished this with a score of 15-8 to end his quest for a medal.
Ron is no stranger to sports, he founded and runs the Legends Sports League based in Virginia. One of his referees suggested they start a pickleball league three years ago, which is when Ron first picked up a paddle. “It’s the type of sport you play and fall in love with,” he says.
Congratulations to Ron on his gold-plated National Senior Games debut!
- Published in 2022 Games Daily News, May 16, 2022, Uncategorized
You’re Invited to the Aviv Athletes Lounge!
Competitors, friends, family and guests are welcome to visit the Aviv Athletes Lounge in Room 220 of the convention center.
Enjoy a complimentary bottle of water, snacks, fruit and enjoy a pickleball game with the best view in the house. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
AVIV VIP ATHLETES LOUNGE
- Published in 2022 Games Daily News, May 14, 2022, Uncategorized
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