Tag Archives: Meijer State Games of Michigan

USA Masters Games in Grand Rapids postponed to 2021, but state games still possible

The USA Masters Games 2020 will still be coming to Grand Rapids, just in 2020. (Historic Public Domain photo)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

                                        

The USA Masters Games and the State Games of Michigan, the organizers for the 2020 USA Masters Games originally scheduled to be held this June in Grand Rapids, jointly announced this week the postponement of the games to 2021.

At the same time, however, the State Games of Michigan organizers said it was still possible that some of the planned state games would take place later in the year.

The national games had previously been scheduled for June 19-21 and June 26-28, but will now be held June 24-27, 2021, still in Grand Rapids — and still set to be called the “2020 USA Masters Games”.

“On behalf of the USA Masters Games, and our Grand Rapids Host Organization, the State Games of Michigan, we want to emphasize that our number one priority is the health and well-being of all participants in the USA Masters Games,” Hill Carrow, CEO of the USA Masters Games, said in supplied material. “With that objective in mind, and given the great uncertainty and concern surrounding the current worldwide coronavirus pandemic, it has been determined that it is in the best interests of the safety of Games athletes for the Games to be postponed for one year.”

As far as the name of the games … “We’re following the example of the International Olympic Committee,” Carrow said. “When they decided to keep it the ‘2020 Summer Olympic Games’ in 2021, we said to ourselves, ‘That’s a good idea’, so we are doing the same thing with the USA Masters Games.”

The local sponsors of the national games are also still committed to the event, and the State Games of Michigan leaders are still hopeful their signature games can be held this year.

“As one can imagine, rescheduling a large 24-sport event is a major undertaking, and we will collaborate closely with the (USA Masters) Games rights-holder and our great local event  partners as we transition to these new dates,” Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission in Grand Rapids, said in supplied material.

 
Eric Engelbarts, who serves as the Executive Director of both the State Games of Michigan and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2020 USA Masters Games, also discussed the status of the state games in the announcement.

“First, I want to assure participants in the 2020 State Games of Michigan, that those games are not being postponed, but the timing of the sports competitions are all in flux now as we shift the schedule and location of events to dates, likely throughout the summer, that will hopefully allow this year’s events to take place,” he said in supplied material. “ … We ask for patience as we work through the large number of details while our … staff is having to work remotely under state and local government lockdown restrictions.”

For more information on the USA Masters Games, visit usamastersgames.com . For more information on the State Games of Michigan visit StateGamesofMichigan.com.

Weekend of Meijer State Games of Michigan opening ceremony at Fifth Third is June 21

The Meijer State Games of Michigan kicks off the 2019 summer games with an Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 21, at Fifth Third Ballpark. (Supplied file photo/Meijer State Games)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Meijer State Games of Michigan kicks off the 2019 summer games with an Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 21, at Fifth Third Ballpark. The games, to be held at various West Michigan locations focused on the Grand Rapids area, will run June 20-22.

The Opening Ceremony will be held at Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 W. River Dr. NE Comstock Park. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will run 7:30-9 p.m.

1968 Olympic Gold Medalist Dick Fosbury will be the guest speaker at the opening ceremony. Fosbury is known to be the first to jump over the high bar backwards, creating the “Fosbury Flop.” Fosbury will also be lighting the cauldron to officially kick off the summer games.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympic-style, multi-sport event, according to supplied material, “that welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level. The games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship, and healthy living among the residents of Michigan.” Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted more than 65,000 athletes, and has also contributed more than $25 million in estimated economic impact to cities throughout Michigan.

While the opening ceremony is in the evening, there will be events and entertainment starting in the morning hours beginning at 10 a.m., and will include a race-walking tutorial by Olympian Gary Morgan, ballpark games and an opportunity to run the bases on Fifth Third Ballpark. The Visser Family YMCA children’s camp will be participating in this year’s Olympic day events.

(Supplied file photo/Meijer State Games)

Throughout the ceremony a series of three ballpark games will be played on the field. Hoop helmet, human sandwich and bungee battle will be played. Teams for each game will be comprised of athletes participating in the summer games in a sport-versus-sport style competition.
  
 
A stunt trampoline show will utilize professional athletes, upbeat soundtracks and comedy in an elite performance of flips and trampoline tricks. The show will end with world-famous sky-high belly drops.
  
 
The athlete parade will begin at 7:30 p.m., as athletes represent their sports by parading into the stadium. Athletes will be led by Grand Marshall Dakota McLaren. McLaren is one of Michigan’s two athletes, sponsored by the Secchia family, chosen to participate in the 2019 State Games of America in Lynchburg, Va.
 
 
In addition to Fosbury, other Olympians in attendance at the opening ceremony will include race walker Gary Morgan, swimmer Pam Kruse and judo competitor Maje Omagbaluwaje.
  
 
Morgan competed in every US Olympic trial from 1984-2004 as a walker. He competed in the World Championships, World Cup, Pan American Games, and Goodwill Games. Morgan also competed in the men’s 20 kilometer walk for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
 
 
Kruse is a native of Miami, Florida and now resides here in Grand Rapids. At 18 she competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where she received a silver medal for her performance in the women’s 800-meter freestyle.

 
Omagbaluwaje is a Nigerian judoka with a 6th degree black belt. He is a 3-time African Champion, 3-time USA National Champion, and has competed in 3 Olympic Games. Omagbaluwaje placed 7th at the 1987 World Championships and received a gold medal at the World Masters Championships in 2009.
 
 
Admission to the Opening Ceremony is $5 for those age nine and over. Parking will be $5. (All registered athletes get free admission to the opening ceremony.” To purchase a ticket to opening ceremony, please visit here.

For more information on the game’s sports and venues please visit here.

Sports Commission Prez participates in 10 sports to mark 10th anniversary

Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission. (WMSC)

By Carly Lang
West Michigan Sports Commission


The Meijer State Games of Michigan is celebrating its 10-year anniversary during this year’s Summer Games. To celebrate the milestone, WMSC president Mike Guswiler, will be participating in 10 sports during the Summer Games.

“It’s a cool idea for 10 years, it’s a fun way to celebrate,” said Guswiler. “We’ve never seen someone take on 10 sports, that will be pretty exciting.”

During the first weekend of events Guswiler will be participating in men’s pickleball on Friday, June 14, and coed softball on Saturday, June 15.

Guswiler will participate in 8 sports during the main event weekend. Thursday, June 20, Guswiler will participate in bocce ball. On Friday, June 21, Guswiler will participate in golf and archery. Saturday, June 22, Guswiler will participate in long jump as a part of the Meijer State Games track and field events, skeet shooting and freestyle swimming. On the final day of the State Games main event weekend, Sunday, June 23, Guswiler will participate in bowling and small-bore rifle.

In the last 10 years, more than $28 million was generated in direct visitor spending due to the State Games events.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan main weekend is June 20-23. (WMSC)

Follow Guswiler’s Schedule:

Friday, June 14

Sport:              Pickleball 
Time:               9:30 a.m.
Location:         Belknap Park, 30 Coldbrook St. NE, Grand Rapids

Saturday, June 15

Sport:              Coed Softball
Time:               8 a.m. 
Location:         Huff Park, 2399 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

Thursday, June 20

Sport:              Bocce Ball
Time:               2 p.m. 
Location:         Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids

Friday, June 21

Sport:              Golf
Time:               9 a.m.
Location:         Cedar Chase Golf Club, 7551 17 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs

Sport:              3D Archery
Time:               3 p.m.  
Location:         Sparta Hunting and Fishing Club, 13218 Long Lake Dr. Sparta

Saturday, June 22

Sport:              Track and Field
Time:               10 a.m.
Location:         Comstock Park High School, 150 6 Mile Rd. NE, Comstock Park

Sport:              Skeet Shooting
Time:               11:30 a.m.
Location:         Rockford Sportsman Club, 11115 Northland Dr. NE, Rockford

Sport:              Swimming
Time:               2 p.m. 
Location:         Northview Aquatic Center, 4451 Hunsberger Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI, 49525

Sunday, June 23

Sport:              Bowling
Time:               8 a.m.
Location:         Spectrum Lanes, 5656 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming

Sport:              Small Bore Rifle
Time:               Noon
Location:         Rockford Sportsman Club (11115 Northland Dr. NE Rockford

For more information on all sports offered by the Meijer State Games of Michigan, please visithttps://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/summer-games-sports-lineup

Registration is now open for all sports. There is an estimated 8,000+ athletes participating in over 45 sporting events in this year’s Summer Games. For more information about registration, please visit www.stategamesofmichigan.com/summer-games-sports-lineup/. Registration is located on each sports page. 

For more information on sponsoring the Meijer State Games of Michigan, visit www.stategamesofmichigan.com/summer-games-sponsors. The Meijer State Games of Michigan sponsors include: Lake Michigan Credit Union, Metro Health, Fox Motors, Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan, Subway, Fifth Wheel Freight, Peppino’s, Lacks Enterprises Inc., SIBSCO, LIFE EMS Ambulance, The GR Shop, Heglund-Sova Realty, Inc. 

There are still volunteer opportunities available for the Summer Games. For more information on volunteering, please visit www.stategamesofmichigan.com/summer-games-volunteer/. The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on the help of willing volunteers and trusted partnerships. Lake Michigan Credit Union is proud supporter of Meijer State Games of Michigan volunteers. 

Spikeball added to Meijer State Games of Michigan summer lineup

By Eric Engelbarts, Meijer State Games of Michigan  


The Meijer State Games of Michigan has added spikeball to its more than 45-sport lineup, and that’s not all — after last summer’s successful debut, ninja and paintball will be back.


Spikeball will take place during the main weekend of the Summer Games, on Saturday, June 22, at Douglas Walker Park (1195 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315); paintball on Sunday, June 23, at TC Paintball (2070 Waldorf St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544); and Ninja on Saturday, June 29 at RockFit Ninjas (8830 Belding Road NE, Rockford, MI 49341).


Registration for these games is currently open. For spikeball, players can register in beginner or advanced divisions. Go here for rules, entry fees, schedule, and to register.


Ninja will have four age divisions: 7-9 years, 10-13 years, 14-17 years, and 18 years and older. Go here for rules, entry fees, schedule, and to register.


There are three divisions in paintball: rental only, novice and advanced. The rental-only division will include free equipment rental; the other two divisions will not include equipment. Each team will comprise 3 players. Go here for rules, entry fees, schedule, and to register.


About 8,000+ athletes will participate in over 45 sporting events at this year’s Summer Games. For more information about registration, please go here. Registration links are located on each sports page.


Meijer State Games of Michigan opens registration for summer games, hockey tourney

Foot golf is one of the new sports at the Meijer State Games. (Supplied/CKGolf)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Meijer State Games of Michigan 2019 Summer Games will include sport competition at various dates and locations this summer but is focused on the weekend of June 20-23 and the 2019 Opening Ceremony at Fifth Third Ballpark. Registration for most sports has opened.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympic-style, multi-sport event that welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level. According to supplied information, “the games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship, and healthy living among the residents of Michigan.”

Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted more than 65,000 athletes and contributed over $25 million in estimated economic impact to cities throughout Michigan.

Registration rates vary between sports and can be found on each sports’ page. For more information about registration, please visit the following link .

Registered athletes for all sports will receive free admission to the Opening Ceremony and have the opportunity to walk in the athlete parade. Some sports may charge an entry fee for spectators.

Hockey tryouts are first up

Tryouts for the 2019 hockey tournament will take place in May and the tournament will take place June 20-23. This tournament will have six divisions: high school boys, high school girls, 14U boys, 14U girls, 12U, and 10U.

The fee for tryouts is $40. An additional fee of $160 will be charged to players who make the teams. This fee includes a team jersey, socks, a gift for the player and three games minimum, and admission to the Opening Ceremony.

 
“It’s cool – it’s an Olympic-style event, which is great,” David Moss, honorary chairman of the State Games hockey tournament, said in supplied material. “They do a lot of cool things for the kids, and the hockey side, we’re doing some neat things this year with ACHA coaches being involved and giving the kids the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of good coaches.”

 
For more information on this year’s hockey tournament details and registration, visit the following link .

45 sports in all will be offered

There will an estimated 8,000 plus athletes participating in more than 45 sporting events in this year’s Summer Games. The sports offered for the 2019 Summer Games include: a 5k fun, archery (3D and FITA), archery tag, badminton, baseball, basketball, BMX (freestyle and Olympic), bocce ball, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, disc golf, field hockey, figure skating, foot golf, golf, hockey, judo, lacrosse (girls), mountain bike, ninja warrior competition, paintball, pickleball, pinball, rowing, rugby, shooting sports, skateboarding, softball, soccer, swimming, tae-kwon-do, tennis, track & field, volleyball, waterskiing, weightlifting, and wrestling.


The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on the help of willing volunteers and trusted partnerships. There are also volunteer opportunities available for the Summer Games. For more information on volunteering, visit the following link .

For more information on sponsoring the Meijer State Games of Michigan, visit the following link .

For more information about the Meijer State Games of Michigan visit stategamesofmichigan.com .

Meijer State Games adds more new competitions to schedule

The paintball competition will take place at TC Paintball in Walker on Sunday, June 24.

WKTV Staff

news@WKTV.org

 

The Meijer State Games of Michigan kicks off Saturday, June 16, for its 8th annual Olympics-style games in the greater Grand Rapids Area. The opening ceremony for the games will be held at East Kentwood High School on Friday, June 22.

 

Three new games have already been introduced into the lineup this year, which includes footgolf, archery tag and three shooting events: bb gun, air rifle and air pistol.  Along with those events, paintball and the ninja warrior competitions were recently announced as part of the games.

 

 

The ninja warrior competition will take place at RockFit Ninja in Rockford on Saturday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The objective of the event is to get from one point to the other dodging obstacles and not touching the ground.

 

Paintball will take place at TC Paintball in Walker on Sunday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Teams will compete against each other in an indoor arena with built in obstacles.

 

Events for the opening ceremony will include Skydivers dropping into the football stadium with the American flag, an athlete parade, and the lighting of the cauldron. Overall, the events run from June 16 to Aug. 19.

 

With registration now open for most of the sporting events, an estimated 8,000 athletes of all ages are expected to compete in this year’s summer games. Visit here to register.

For information on how you can sponsor the Meijer State Games of Michigan, visit here.

 

The Meijer State Games of Michigan started in 2010, hosting over 65,000 athletes since that year.

Meijer State games set for June with new competitions planned

 

By WKTV staff

news@wktv.org

 

Foot golf is one of the new sports at the Meijer State Games. (by CKGolf)

The Meijer State Games of Michigan kicks off Saturday, June 16, for it’s 8th annual Olympics- style games in the greater Grand Rapids Area. The opening ceremony for the games will be held at East Kentwood High School on Friday, June 22.

 

Three new games have been introduced into the lineup this year which include footgolf, archery tag and three shooting events: bb gun, air rifle and air pistol.

 

“I think this will be appealing to people who want to get in the shooting range, be competitive and have some fun,” Ron Carr, the organizer of this year’s shooting events, said in supplied materials.

 

Footgolf director for the games, Mirza Causevic, described footgolf as “a twist of golf and soccer.”  She expects an interest from all age groups with the addition of this new sport.

 

Events for the opening ceremony will include Skydivers dropping into the football stadium with the American flag, an athlete parade and the lighting of the cauldron. Overall, the events run from June 16 to Aug. 19.

 

With registration now open for most of the sporting events, an estimated 8,000 athletes of all ages are expected to compete in this years summer games. Visit here to register.

 

 

For information on how you can sponsor the Meijer State Games of Michigan, visit here.

 

The Meijer State Games of Michigan started in 2010, hosting over 65,000 athletes since that year.

 

Local singer wins Meijer Summer Games national anthem contest

Local singer, Macy Krupiczewicz, won the Meijer State Games of Michigan National Anthem Contest. Krupiczewicz will perform at the summer games opening ceremony on June 22 at East Kentwood High School in front of an estimated 6,000 people.

 

The Meijer State Games of Michigan hosts a contest to find an audience-favorite singer to perform the National Anthem at the opening ceremony. Contestants submitted videos of themselves performing the National Anthem, then viewers could vote for their favorite performer through Facebook. There are over 6,000 members in the Meijer State Games of Michigan National Anthem Facebook group, where Krupiczewicz was declared the winner by 66 votes over her competition.

 

“Everyone knows how much music means to me, so to have a fan base of people rooting and voting for me is amazing,” said Krupiczewicz. “If you put enough passion into something, you’re bound to get there some day.”

 

Krupiczewicz is originally from Byron Center, Mich. She is a Michigan State University alumna, where she received a degree in broadcast journalism. Next year she will move to Nashville to chase her singing dreams. She will continue to pursue journalism, but pursuing her dream is the biggest thing, according to Krupiczewicz.

 

Heglund-Sova Realty is a company specializing in all areas of real estate and property management. Their success is attributed to the combined years of experience from their professional team.

 

“Heglund-Sova Realty is overwhelmed with the amount of people who voted, and we wish Macy the best of luck singing the National Anthem at the Meijer State Games opening ceremony,” said Jim Heglund, president of Heglund-Sova Realty. “It’s an honor to be able to sponsor such a fun event in the Grand Rapids area, which brings people together from all over the state.”

 

Meijer State Games of Michigan Award Winners Announced

Meijer State Games of MichiganSince its inception in 2010, the Meijer State Games of Michigan has given athletes the opportunity to compete against each other in summer and winter games emulating the Olympics. Following the completion of the Summer Games, and after receiving nominations from coaches, parents, spectators, and peers, officials with the Meijer State games of Michigan choose participants from the games as Athlete of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

 

Three athletes – youth, female, and male – are chosen every year and one volunteer is also awarded and recognized. The 2015 winners were recognized at the Grand Rapids Griffins game this past Saturday and are as follows:

 

•   Aubrey Cohoon (Youth – Figure Skating – Spring Lake, MI)
•    Maddy Frank (Female – Mountain Biking – Walker, MI)
•    Michael Edward Droste Jr. (Male – Tae Kwon Do – Saranac, MI)
•    Issac Washburn (Volunteer – Grand Rapids, MI)

Meijer State Games of MichiganAubrey Cohoon (Youth AOY), 11, competed in Figure Skating during the 2015 Meijer State Games of Michigan taking first place in the pre-preliminary freestyle program and fourth place in the preliminary compulsory moves event. Her first place standing at the State Games of Michigan qualified her for the 2017 State Games of America. In May 2015, she had the opportunity to skate at the Make-A-Wish Michigan Wish Ball alongside her idols, Charlie Wait and Meryl Davis. She has raised over $30,000 for Make-A-Wish Michigan and has been awarded the title of the Fox 17 Pay-It-Forward person of the Week and Month. Aubrey is currently a student at Spring Lake Intermediate School.

 

Maddy Frank (Female AOY), 15, competed in Mountain Biking during the 2015 Meijer State Games of Michigan, winning the Women’s A Division in the Short Track Event. Maddy competes in biking events year-round and recently took first in her age group in the Iceman Cometh Challenge in Traverse City, MI. She is also a track & field athlete at Grandville schools and enjoys volunteering for local running and biking race events including the East Grand Rapids Trailblazer Run, the Grand Rapids Triathlon, and the Skirts in the Dirt all-female bike race. In 2014, she was awarded the “Ryan Fisher be an Eleven Award.” She is a member of the Freewheeler Racing Team and is an ambassador for Lapierre bikes. Maddy is currently a student at Grandville High School.

 

Michael Edward Droste Jr. (Male AOY), 32, competed in Tae Kwon Do during the 2015 Mejier State Games of Michigan, winning the yellow belt division of the Tae Kwon Do forms division. Being born with cerebral palsy and ligament issues, he has overcome adversity as an athlete. Michael is a resident of Saranac, MI and enjoys participating in martial arts for the friendships he has made and the lessons of respect, self-control, and discipline he has learned. Michael is an inspiration to all athletes and is an outstanding example of overcoming adversity.

 

Isaac Washburn (VOY), 27, has been involved in the Meijer State Games of Michigan for five years. He is crucial to the organization and success of the high school hockey tournament. He takes pride in ensuring this event is well-run and properly executed, aiding in set-up, teardown, and problem resolution for all 18 hockey games during the tournament. Isaac is a 2012 graduate of the sports leadership and management division at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). He is currently the Video Coach for the Kalamazoo Wings, Head Coach for both the Division 1 and Division 3 Roller Hockey club teams at GVSU, and the Director of Team Development for the Midwest Collegiate Roller Hockey League.

 

Previous Athlete of the Year award winners include:

 

•    2014: Alex Garcia (Male – Wrestling), Cory Bush (Female – Speedskating), Jade Walleman (Youth – Track & Field)
•    2013: Joe Skrycki (Male – Track & Field), Joan Berman (Female – Track & Field), Liam Smith (Youth – Archery)
•    2012: Russell Williams (Male – Tae Kwon Do), Lauren Hooker (Female – Lacrosse), Derek Nicks (Youth – Wrestling)
•    2011: Bob Miller (Male – Swimming), Jessica LeMire (Female – Racquetball), Chandler Simmering (Youth – Judo)
•    2010: Jimmy O’Hearn (Male – Track & Field), Emily Wee (Female – Track & Field), William Vosejpka (Youth – Hockey)