Games Provide Pathway Through Midlife Challenges December 2021 Athlete of the Month

De Shann Schinkel, 57, Rawlins, Wyoming Many senior athletes have used “midlife crisis” to create midlife opportunities by starting or returning to competitive sports. After dealing with the difficult loss of both parents in her early 50’s, De Shann Schinkel got back into the game and could not have dreamed where it would take her

The Long Run November 2021

Association News “Hurricane Hawkins” Sets First 105+ Record! Move over, William Shatner. Julia Hawkins has boldy gone where no woman has ever gone before to become the first woman and the first American to establish a 105+ age category world record in track and field! Julia wanted to set this mark in her home state,

2022 National Senior Games Offers Historic One-Time Open Registration Period

Pandemic disruptions create unique opportunity for all to participate Clearwater, FLA. (November 9, 2021) – The National Senior Games Association announces, for the first time ever, that they will allow athletes over 50 years old to enter to compete in the National Senior Games without requiring qualification. The 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana

“Hurricane” Hawkins Sets First-Ever 105+ Female Track Record

100-meter world record set at Louisiana Senior Games: “I wanted to do it at home” Move over, William Shatner. Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins has gone where no woman has ever gone before as the first female track and field athlete, and the first American, to set a track and field world record and establish a 105+

Formerly Homeless Man Gets His Life on Track November 2021 Athlete of the Month

Tim Jenkins, 70, Louisville, Kentucky Tim Jenkins is in awe about how his life has turned around since he found Senior Games in 2018. At the time he had been homeless after decades of misfortune. “I was really homeless for most of my life,” he says. “Just because a house has four walls and a

“Hurricane” Hawkins Going for Historic 105+ Record

Louisiana Senior Games to Host Epic World Record Attempt BATON ROUGE, Louisiana- Every time Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins steps onto a track to compete, the 105-year-old is the oldest woman in the world to do so. Now, she’s about to take it to another level…literally. On November 6th Julia will run the 100-meter race at the

The Long Run October 2021

Game On! 2022 Housing & Registration We are very pleased to report that priority registration for qualified athletes in the first month is ahead of pace compared with the same period for the 2019 Games. Given the unusual circumstances, NSGA is not assuming that pace will continue, but it does compare with the generally high

National Senior Games Pandemic Athlete Survey Showing Promising Results

5,000+ responses indicate athletes are maintaining fitness and positive outlook During the pandemic, the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) suspected that the uniqueness of athletes who participate in the National Senior Games may afford them an extra level of protection over their age peers. With prompting from State Games coordinators, NSGA Health and Well-being Director

“I’m fighting hard to get back on the court” October 2021 Athlete of the Month

Louise Jones, 77, San Marino, California When Louise Jones found Senior Games basketball in 2010, she had already recently overcome a bout with breast cancer. She was looking forward, enjoying the active life traveling and competing with her Cougars Gold team through four National Senior Games. Then came the bad news. “I was disease free

The Long Run September 2021

Game On! First Athlete to Register: “I jumped on it!” Registration of qualified athletes has opened for the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana, and NSGA staff wondered who the first athlete would be to sign up, from what state, and why so fast. It turns out that a “newbie” beat everyone to the