“I’m Not the Type to Sit Around” June 2020 Athlete of the Month
Carol Hicks, 75, Blountville, Tennessee Carol Hicks has had, by her own estimation, a blessed life. Now 75, the East Tennessee native has raised a family with her husband of 57 years and enjoyed her work career, including more than a decade with Junior Achievement before retiring a couple years ago. She has also been
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Long Run – May 2020
Association News Amended 2021 Qualification Process Announcement The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) hopes you are doing well and finding ways to stay healthy and strong. Together we are in the midst of uncharted territory as the pandemic has affected all of us in a variety of ways. Every major event and sports organization has
- Published in Newsletter
A Phish Out of Water May 2020 Athlete of the Month
Philipp Djang, 65, Las Cruces, New Mexico The pandemic has disrupted all sports, but perhaps none as much as swimming. Cross training is a part of preparing for competition, but when there’s no pool, swimmers are literally fish out of water. We called Philipp Djang, one of the most decorated swimmers in National Senior Games
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Long Run – April 2020
Association News A Message from the CEO We hope that your family, friends, neighbors and community are fine, and know we are thinking of you and wishing you all stay well. Our staff is fine and currently working remotely and adjusting to the change in routine as we continue to conduct the business and planning
- Published in Newsletter
Meatless Meets: A Vegan’s Perspective April 2020 Athlete of the Month
Ellen Jaffe Jones, 67, Sarasota, Florida While only a fraction of senior athletes follow a vegan diet, there is a trend with more turning to this option. Traditional opinions by coaches and athletes say that you can’t perform as well athletically on a purely plant-based diet, but runner Ellen Jaffe Jones is out to disprove
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Long Run – March 2020
Association News Personal Best: “I never want to grow up” Our next Personal Best story of perseverance and inspiration is Oklahoma cyclist Simeon Gipson. Ten years ago he retired, overweight with severe diabetes and thinking his life was over. He fought his way out through lifestyle changes, including bike riding. When his son bought him
- Published in Newsletter
This Team Doctor is On the Team March 2020 Athlete of the Month
Dr. Boyd Haynes, 61, Newport News, Virginia Virginia’s Bone Setters 55+ Men’s Volleyball team has a not-so-secret weapon that their name gives away- they have an orthopedic surgeon on the team. Dr. Boyd Haynes has been playing with the same group of guys around Newport News since the mid-1990s. At the time he had started
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Long Run – February 2020
Association News Personal Best Features “Comeback Kate” The 2020 class of Personal Best feature athletes grows this month with another inspiring profile of courage, determination and positive action to advance and overcome life challenges and obstacles. That’s what we call a Personal Best lifestyle. Kate Fisken’s story is about her own triumphant return to swimming,
- Published in Newsletter
Leonid’s Table of Good Health February 2020 Athlete of the Month
Leonid Sukher, 70, Brighton, Massachusetts Leonid Sukher has enjoyed table tennis since childhood. Growing up relatively poor with no access to equipment, he and friends made paddles out of scrap plywood to play. Little did he know as a youth that getting serious about his game would help regain his health later in life. Born
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Long Run – January 2020
Association News Personal Best Class of 2020 Debuts with “Mr.” Impossible Since 2013, the Personal Best health and wellness initiative has featured senior athletes who exhibit the attitude and habits of healthy aging as they navigate through the obstacles and challenges of life. Many have attracted national media attention, which has helped to raise awareness
- Published in Newsletter











