2009 Bluegrass State Games 25th Anniversary Luncheon
June 15, 2009 Bluegrass State Games
The First Annual Bluegrass State Games Luncheon was a great success. It took place at the Lexington Downtown Hotel and included guests such as Governor Martha Layne Collins, who was the keynote speaker, Current Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry, and a table full of previous Lexington Mayors.
Mayor Newberry expressed how much the Games have meant to Lexington over the past 25 years, and specifically the economic impact the games has on the city of Lexington and how it gives Lexington a chance to showcase the city and the University of Kentucky. Mayor Newberry stated that the economic impact of the Games is close to $6.5 Million a year. If you multiply that by the 25 years of the games, and that is quite a bit of revenue the city has seen.
Governor Martha Layne Collins was the keynote speaker and she presented a video that highlighted the first Bluegrass State games in 1985. With 3 presenting sponsors, the Kentucky Bluegrass State Games was organized in 6 months, and had the biggest opening year participation in the country. She noted that every year, the Kentucky BGSG is ranked among the top 5 states in the nation for participation and that over 350,000 athletes have participated.
The luncheon concluded with a presentation of awards. The first award went to Jackie French. She has been a BGSG volunteer since the start of the games. She began as a Sports Chair Liason where her duties were to coordinate all the venets on UK's campus. This task meant that she often walked many miles on the UK campus to make her rounds during the BGSG. Her duties included picking up results, delivering food and water to volunteers, and making sure the sports staff had the materials and equipment needed to run their events. In later years, Jackie served as an assistant to Jean Wright, the Sports Chair for Track and Field.
The second Spirit Award was presented to Donald Mather. Mr. Mather has participated in numerous events every year since the start of the Games in 1985. He has competed in 10 different events and won a total of 86 medals in 24 years (43 Gold, 29 Silver and 14 Bronze), some of these after suffering two strokes. Not only does he exemplify the spirit of the games, but he carries on the winning tradition with his family as well. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have participated and succeeded in the Games right alongside Donald.
The third Spirit Award was given to Adam Bender. Adam, who at the age of 9 is an inspiration to all involved with Games. As a toddler, Adam battled and conquered cancer. He has since participated in the Games playing both soccer and baseball in the 2008 Summer Games, receiving the Gold medal in soccer. Adam plans to compete this summer in soccer, baseball and possibly wrestling.
Finally, a Gold Medal was presented to Governor Collins by some involved with the Games including Mayor Newberry, Sam Dunn, Alan Stein, Steve Brooks, and Sue Feamster.
The luncheon concluded with the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" by the Late Governor Happy Chandler at the 1st Bluegrass State Games 25 years ago.
CLICK HERE to watch the BGSG 25th Anniversary video.
CLICK HERE to view photos from the Luncheon. |
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