Personal Best Tour Blogs
Each year since 2013 we have visited selected states to promote the Personal Best program. We introduce some of our Personal Best Award athletes who are examples of healthy aging on and off the field. Our goal is to inspire others to action and show that “It’s Never Too Late to Get in the Game.”
Follow along as we post blog entries recapping our Personal Best Tour events and some of the sport action and other athletes that we meet during our visits. Make sure to read all of the inspiring athlete features on the Personal Best page!
Use the search box to find athletes by name or year of feature.
Evansville, Indiana
As the third-largest city in Indiana, Evansville does not receive the attention it deserves. It has the distinction of being first in the state for senior athletics, since local annual Senior Games have been held there for over 25 years. The Southwestern Indiana Region Council on Aging (called SWIRCA & More) has been the driving
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Biloxi, Mississippi
When we first called longtime volunteer and organizer Lucy Bickham to ask if NSGA could participate in the Celebration of Athletes for the Mississippi Senior Olympics (MSO), she warned us that there might not be more than 50 or 60 people coming. After all, the Mississippi Senior Olympics was merging with the Mississippi Gulf Coast
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Fun, fellowship and fitness were found in abundance during our visit to Woodbridge, home of the New Jersey Senior Olympics. Everyone we met, from our Personal Best recipient Irma DeMarzo to the volunteers that greeted us everywhere, were “all in” and excited about the games. DeMarzo, who has been the tennis coordinator for the state
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Albuquerque, New Mexico
When 94 year old senior athlete Larry Johnson of Albuquerque received his NSGA Personal Best Award recognizing him as an inspiration and role model for active, healthy aging, he decided to demonstrate his vitality by standing on his head in front of 1,200 delighted attendees to the opening session for the 36th annual New Mexico
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Columbia, Missouri
It was Show Me time as we joined the kickoff banquet for the 20th annual Missouri State Senior Games in Columbia. Jane Kaiser was the perfect selection to represent the Show Me State Personal Best because she is someone who walks the walk. Jane is still active as a clinical nurse and speaker, and has
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Pasadena, California
What could be better than having an Olympic swimming legend attend an award presentation to honor an amateur Senior Games swimmer? John Naber, who dominated the 1976 Olympics with five medals, found a way. NSGA honored 67 year old Vivian Stancil of Riverside with a Personal Best Award during the California State Senior Games athlete
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Portland, Maine
Pictured to the left Becky Dube (left) with Martin’s Point Health Care congratulates Maine Senior Games Coordinator Jo Dill as recipient of their inaugural Medallion Award, while Jerry LeVassaseur displays his Personal Best Award presented by NSGA CEO Marc T. Riker. An enthusiastic throng of Mainers joined to honor 76 year old senior athlete Jerry
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The 2014 Personal Best Tour kicked off with a reception at The NSGA Annual Conference where 80 year old tennis player Ruby Rott (pronounced “wrote”) of St. Paul was introduced to attendees who manage state Senior Games around the nation. An official presentation event for public and media will be held during the Minnesota Senior
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
Greenville, North Carolina
Talk about a “family affair!” Bonds of affection and dedication could be felt throughout our visit to Greenville, and it went well beyond our Personal Best award presentation to 80 year old Fran Allison and her 56 year old daughter Jackie, made during a break in competition at the 20th annual North Carolina Senior Games
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs
St. George, Utah
The spirit of perseverance, overcoming obstacles and offering a role model to others are key aspects of NSGA’s new definition of personal best. These are common traits with most senior athletes, and they show it in myriad ways. Case in point: John Morgan, Jr., the latest athlete featured when the Personal Best Tour visited The
- Published in Personal Best Tour Blogs