SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
Contact Us: NSGA@NSGA.com
  • HOME
  • NSGA OFFICIAL STORE
  • PARTNERS
  • DONATE TODAY
  • DESTINATIONS

National Senior Games Association

National Senior Games Association

The NSGA is a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating active adults to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement.

T (727) 475-1187
Email: NSGA@NSGA.com

National Senior Games Association
PO BOX 5630, Clearwater, FL 33758 USA

  • ABOUT
    • How to Get Involved
    • NSGA Showcase Video
    • History of the NSGA
    • Board of Directors
    • Foundation Trustees
    • Staff
    • Sports Chairs
    • National Games Awards
    • 30th Anniversary
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Career Opportunities
  • STATE GAMES
    • State Games Information
    • State Regions
    • Team Partner Finder
    • NSGA Award Winners
  • NATIONAL GAMES
    • How To Qualify
    • National Games Information
    • 2022 Fort Lauderdale
    • Athlete Check-In
    • Registration
    • Rules & Minimum Performance Standards
    • Competition Schedules
    • Results & Records
    • Special Events
    • Team Partner Finder
    • Transportation & Parking
    • Hotels and Lodging
    • Volunteer for the Games
    • Limited Events Verification Form
    • National Senior Games Partners
  • SPORTS
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Archery
      • Badminton
      • Bowling
      • Cornhole
      • Cycling
      • Golf
      • Pickleball
      • Powerwalk
      • Race Walk
      • Racquetball
      • Road Race
      • Shuffleboard
      • Swimming
      • Table Tennis
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
    • NON-AMBULATORY SPORTS
      • Non-Ambulatory Bowling
      • Non-Ambulatory Cornhole
      • Non-Ambulatory Shuffleboard
    • TEAM SPORTS
      • Basketball
      • Beach Volleyball
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Tri-Relay
      • Volleyball
  • HEALTH AND WELLNESS
    • Get In Shape With Ageility
    • Zibrio Health and Wellness
    • Heartline Study
    • Falls Prevention Resources
    • NSGA Steps Challenge
    • Exercise & Well-Being Resources
    • Humana Healthy Living and Prevention Resources
    • Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) & Games Ready
    • Fitness Videos
    • ACE Training Tips
    • NSGA Ambassador Program Activities
    • National Senior Games Partners
  • MEDIA
    • Photo Galleries
    • Games Videos
    • #StayFitSeniors Athlete Videos
    • Senior Games Blogs
    • Games Daily News Archives
    • Archived Press Releases
    • Newsletter
    • Press Room
    • Athlete of the Month
    • Personal Best Features
Donate Now
 March 4, 2021

“Thirty Years Through Alice’s Looking Glass” – November 2017 Athlete of the Month

“Thirty Years Through Alice’s Looking Glass” – November 2017 Athlete of the Month

by Del Moon / Thursday, 09 November 2017 / Published in Athlete of the Month

Alice Carroll, 85, Syracuse, New York

In a way, Alice Carroll wishes she was one year older. The 85-year-old retired nurse from Syracuse, New York has participated in all National Senior Games since they began…well, almost. She wanted to go to the first gathering in St. Louis in 1987, but there was a problem.

“I was only 54 in 1986, and you had to be 55 to qualify and get in at that time,” she explains.

At the 2017 National Senior Games presented by Humana, NSGA celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Games, which included recognition of “The Great Eight” athletes who have competed in every edition. Had she been born a few months earlier, Alice’s perfect attendance would have changed the group to The Notable Nine.

Alice doesn’t think about what might have been, though. She earned two shuffleboard medals in Birmingham, a gold in 85-89 mixed doubles, and a silver in 85-89 singles. Ironically, her doubles partner since 2013 has been Ed True of O’Fallon, Illinois-one of the Great Eight all-time athletes. “We’ve become very good friends, even though we only see each other once every two years,” she says.

When she first qualified for the 1989 National Senior Games, Alice wasn’t sure she could afford to go to St. Louis. Her ten children had a big surprise for her. “All the kids came home for Mother’s Day and took me to brunch,” she recalls. “They had pooled their money, $700, and my son gave his frequent flyer miles for the plane ticket.” With a big smile, she adds, “They’re such good kids.”

While horseshoes and shuffleboard have been her national competition mainstays, Alice still enjoys several sports at the state level, including race walk, track dashes and long jump, triple jump, discus and shot put. Her motivation is health related.

Alice Carroll with gold medal partner Ed True

“I went to an all girls’ convent school that didn’t have any sports, so I didn’t start anything until after I was 50 years old,” Alice says. “I was stationed at an intermediate care and rehab facility at that time. I said to myself, ‘these people are only 10 years older than me. In 10 years am I going to be this sick and helpless?’ Then, on the way home from work, I was listening to the radio and heard, ‘If you’re interested in running or jumping or swimming or any sports, come to the Empire State Senior Games in Cortland, New York.’”

Beyond enjoying good health, Alice is thankful for many benefits gained from her participation. “I love to travel and see the sights, but the favorite thing is seeing my friends! I consider them both dear friends and competitors,” she continues. “I only get to see them every other year, so it’s what keeps me coming back.”

She also enjoys taking in everything at The Games, and says her Birmingham experience was among the best. “There were so many wonderful things going on there,” she says. “I would never miss the Celebration of Athletes. Having Pat Boone sing was a thrill, of course. I enjoyed all the Village activities, too. I liked the idea that Humana had set up treadmills and donated money to the Food Bank for every mile you go. I went on that treadmill every day.”

Alice has also been a magnet drawing others into The Games. “At one time we had eight family members coming to the Empire State Games. After my husband Paul died, I got my sister to come along with me, and she loved it. You know, people come to the Games as spectators and say, ‘Gee, I can do that.’ And many of my family did get involved.

“It makes you continue to do healthy things. I thank God every day for my family, and all the friends and opportunities I’ve had doing this.”

  • Tweet

About Del Moon

What you can read next

“Joy on the Track” August 2020 Athlete of the Month
“Pickleball Over Parkinson’s” September 2020 Athlete of the Month
The Long Road to Glory – January 2021 Athlete of the Month

Recent Posts

  • The Long Run February 2021

    Association News Get Ready for the Next “Steps ...
  • Let’s Play Pickleball!

    Let’s play ball! Pickle ball, that is. Pickle b...
  • Let’s Preserve Our Bone Health

    Osteoporosis (porous bone) is a bone disease th...
  • Out of Africa. . .with a Paddle – February 2021 Athlete of the Month

    Esther Lamptey, 58, Midwest City, Oklahoma Ther...

Archives

Categories

FOOTER MENU

  • About
  • State Games
  • National Games
  • Sports
  • News and Events
  • Partners
  • Donate Today
  • Press Room
  • Memorial Fund
  • Coordinators Homepage
  • QG Coordinators

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: National Senior Games Association, P.O. Box 5630, Clearwater, FL, 33758, https://www.nsga.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

GET IN TOUCH

T (727) 475 1187
Email: NSGA@NSGA.com

National Senior Games Association
PO Box 5630, Clearwater, FL, 33758 USA

  • GET SOCIAL
National Senior Games Association

Copyright Notice | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Linking Policy | Help/Contact
© 2021 National Senior Games Association. All rights reserved.
Designed by JayBirds Co Inc.

TOP
NSGA Uses Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT
2022 National Senior Games - May 10-23, 2022 431 Days 22 Hours 34 Minutes 57 Seconds