Association News
Time to Vote Again! 2017 Games Nominated for Industry Award
NSGA is excited to announce that the 2017 National Senior Games presented by Humana held in Birmingham, Alabama has been nominated for the SportsTravel Award in the category of “Amateur – Best Multi-Sport or Multi-Discipline Event” and for the “Best Sports Event of the Year.”
The SportsTravel Awards program bestows honors at the amateur, collegiate and professional levels in three categories each. Every year, SportsTravel Magazine polls industry professionals and the public to select the best sporting events in several categories. We were proud of our three previous awards for The Games in 2007, 2011 and 2013. Your votes helped then, and it’s time to rally the troops again!
Please vote, and help us spread the word to get our athletes and friends to go to the SportsTravel web link below to vote for the 2017 National Senior Games. It’s quick and easy, and you do not need to vote for all of the award categories to vote for our Games. Deadline for voting – Sept. 1 at 11:59 PM PDT.
Follow the link and vote for the ‘2017 National Senior Games, Birmingham, AL’ in the second section under “Amateur – Best Multi-Sport or Multi-Discipline Event.”
Also, vote for the ‘2017 National Senior Games, Birmingham, AL’ in the last section under “Best Sports Event of the Year.”
The winners will be announced at the TEAMS Conference in Orlando later this year. THANKS!
SportsTravel Award Ballot Page
Game On!
By Popular Demand: 2017 Games Video Recap Page
Many of you have already seen some or all of the great daily recap videos that were produced during The Games in Birmingham. One of the videos set a new high for shares and likes on the National Senior Games Facebook page. The videos captured perfectly the spirit of fitness, fun and fellowship that uniquely characterizes our events, and people continue to ask where to find the videos to watch again.
As a result, there is now a dedicated page on NSGA.com with all of the daily clips, plus a longer overall Games recap, collected together and ready to view with a click. The page is found under the News & Events tab, where you can also find the 2017 Games Daily News and Photo Gallery archives. Enjoy!
2017 Games Recap Video Collection Page
New Mexico Senior Olympics Helping Albuquerque Prep for 2019
This year, the New Mexico Senior Olympics (NMSO) moved its games from Roswell to Albuquerque for two years to help prepare for the National Senior Games to be hosted there in June of 2019. Last month, more than 1,100 senior athletes participated in 27 events, and everyone, from games organizers to the mayor, is pleased with its success.
The best news for athletes around the country is that New Mexico Senior Olympics has made their state games open, meaning that out-of-state athletes will be able to compete and qualify in Albuquerque next year. “We are committed to focus our resources primarily to the citizens of our state, and with the National Senior Games coming here, we also want to give those who wish to become more familiar with the city and some of the venues that will be used an opportunity to join us and qualify,” says NMSO Executive Director Cecilia Acosta. “We’re very excited about how preparations are already being made by the city, and everyone is confident everything will be ready to showcase our beautiful state.”
The city has made several commitments to lay the groundwork for 2019, including the recent completion of the 18-court Manzano Mesa Pickleball Complex. “Sports tourism is an incredible opportunity for Albuquerque,” states Mayor Richard J. Berry. “This is why we have been intentional in the investments we have made to make Albuquerque a perfect destination for this prestigious event. Our city is very excited to open our doors to the athletes, their families, and friends as we host the National Senior Games in the summer of 2019.”
The 2018 New Mexico Senior Olympics will be held July 18-22, with registration expected to open in February.
How to Have Fun and Stay in Top Shape? Compete in State Games
Even if this isn’t a qualifying year, this is no time to let your momentum slow down. Nearly half of our 2017 Member Games have yet to be held this year. Keep yourself tuned up, enjoy a road trip, see old friends and make new ones by competing in Senior Games before the qualifying year begins!
HUMANA Heroes: Athlete of the Month
On Top of the World
Curt Davison is not known to throw his weight around, other than on the field of play at Senior Games. But when he does, he really lets it fly, and it has landed him in the record books. After 35 years in Senior Games, he now holds a world record.
The 92-year-old from Kirkwood, Missouri participates in multiple running and field events, and at the 2017 National Senior Games presented by Humana in Birmingham, his hammer throw of 25.28 meters was the longest ever recorded anywhere for a man his age. The previous world record was 24.11 set in 2005 by Australian John Fraser.
“The hammer was the last field event I took up- it was just like five years ago,” he says in a tone of mixed pride and disbelief. “I didn’t think I was that good to compete with all the top guys. This is the ultimate.”
Curt realized he was pretty good with the throwing implement when his hurl at the 2015 Games in Minnesota perched him at #1 in NSGA’s Top Ten Performances in the 90-94 hammer throw category. “I also threw it over 26 meters in the Missouri Senior Games last year. So, I figured I had a shot at the record.” Over the years, he has amassed a wagon load of local and state records, plus a total of five National Senior Games top performances in various events.
Not bad for a guy who grew up in The Depression and had to work instead of pursuing sports. Curt answered his country’s call to serve in the Navy in World War II, and then pursued a career as an advertising creative director. His work, and the time needed to raise five children, kept him busy until midlife. “I started competitively at 50, doing 5K and 10K road races in the St. Louis Senior Olympics,” he recalls. “I liked the competition. You meet a lot of nice people.”
Curt also enjoyed swimming against his age peers early on, but soon found that it was too much with a dozen running and field events he wanted to keep up with. In 1987, he was of age to enter the first National Senior Games in his St. Louis hometown, and he eagerly jumped in. He has only missed a few over the years, which was due to his freelance work in retirement. “One year, I was in Casablanca, Morocco writing and producing a commercial for a company there. On another year I was in Amman, Jordan working for the minister of tourism redesigning all of their tourism materials,” he explains. “Unfortunately, the Gulf War came along and we were rushed out of the country. They didn’t need any travel stuff at that point.”
He also emphasizes that his sporting life had a purpose beyond competition. “I wanted to stay in shape, and you have to work out to remain competitive.” Curt still exercises or trains five days a week and has no plans to stop. “I’m not too old because I know the secret: Just don’t stop. As soon as you stop, you’re finished.”
We’re always looking for great athlete stories! Submit yours, or nominate a fellow athlete who inspires you. Click here for the submission form.
Senior Health and Wellness
NSGA Supports Go4Life Month and Falls Prevention Awareness Day in September
Go4Life Month Offers Helpful and Important Tips
NSGA partner Go4Life® is an evidence-based exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) dedicated to helping older adults become and stay physically active.
September is Go4Life Month. This year’s theme is Move More with Go4Life! Older adults are encouraged to do a little more, work out a little harder, and try the four exercise types recommended for older adults: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Each week will be devoted to one of the four types.
Watch the brief video above to learn valuable information, and share it with your friends!
States, Foundation Trustee Clinic to Participate in Falls Prevention Awareness Day
The 10th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will be observed on September 22-the first day of fall. The National Council of Aging promotes the annual observance to encourage organizations to host events that raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults.
NSGA is committed to advocate falls prevention awareness, and has asked our Member Games to participate this year. To date, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Wisconsin have confirmed they will conduct information campaigns and/or activities, and more are expected to join in.
In addition to our states, NSGA Foundation Trustee Dr. Regina Benjamin fully endorses our advocacy and has committed to conduct educational activities at her Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic located on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The former U.S. Surgeon General founded the clinic to provide care to the underserved poor in that region where approximately 80 percent of her patients live below the poverty level.
“NSGA is a passionate advocate for falls prevention education,” according to Andrew Walker, Manager of Health and Wellness. “The Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) studies going back to 2011 give evidence that senior athletes experience far fewer falls than their peer age population, and that is clearly due to their higher activity level and balance. We love to see people join in on Senior Games, but our broader mission is to reach beyond our family to encourage all aging adults to do whatever activity they enjoy and to keep moving throughout life. Engaging our Members around the country helps to serve our collective mission.”
For more information on the observance, visit the National Council on Aging event page.
NSGA Online Merchandise Store
NEW ITEMS ADDED!
The online NSGA Store has added multiple new items at DISCOUNTED PRICES! Polo’s, Jackets, Cycling Jerseys, Pins, Hats, Golf Balls to name just a few items that have been added – Check it out!
In addition, you can now select your sport specific logo to add to a garment too. You can select your own style and colors and can custom imprint to your heart’s content.
There’s still 2017 logo apparel available at The Official NSGA Store at NSGA.com. But don’t wait too long as we will be discontinuing availability in coming months. Get yours now!
