Dear Athletes and Friends:
Happy New Year! And Happy February! I'm pleased to report that registration is now open for the 2014 Bay Area Senior Games. To register on line, please click on the BIG Red Button at www.bayareaseniorgames.org and it will take you right to our on-line registration. If you chose to register by postal mail, please click here and down load our paper application form, fill it out and mail it to our office, 81 Encina, Upper Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94301. (Reminder, there is a $15 additional fee for paper registration.)
We have a few updates for 2014. Due to Stanford's Track and Field schedule, we are moving our Track and Field competition to the College of San Mateo, on Saturday, May 10. Race Walk and the 5K run will also take place that day at the College of San Mateo. We have added Women's Basketball on Sunday, May 18 at Cubberley Community Center and hope there are enough women's teams in Northern California to make a good tournament! We are working hard to hold cycling in Ft. Ord - there is no final confirmation yet. If we are not successful, we will have the 5 and 10K Time Trials on Canada Road as we have had in the past. Stanford's famous Treeathlon will again include a Senior Games division and this will be a qualifying event for the 2015 Summer National Senior Games Triathlon. And finally, we are adding PickleBall. It will be held at the Walnut Creek Recreation Center and info will be posted on the web site as soon as this is confirmed.
As I've said in the past, one of the biggest challenges of hosting the Senior Games is coordinating and confirming all the venues. We have had so many calls from athletes wanting to register and make plans for 2014, I wanted to open registration, so as there are several confirmations to be finalized, I'm asking for your patience, flexibility and understanding.
Volunteer registration will open on February 15 at www.bayareaseniorgames.org. We welcome all the extraordinary volunteers, headed up by our stellar volunteer coordinator, Bob Weder, who helps us make the Games happen!
SPORTS COMMISSIONERS: I am happy to announce most of the 2014 Bay Area Senior Games Sports Commissioners - all of whom use their knowledge and love of their sport to ensure the Games provide the best competitive conditions possible!
Archery: Karen Keating, Dawnell Scott Badminton: Jeff & Karen Fishback Basketball: Dave Newman Bocce: Ben Musolf, Cassie LeBaron Cycling: Frank Scioscia, Tom Simpson Feats of Strength: Dale Harder, Bill Weinstock Fencing: Barbra Higgins, Rita Comes Golf: Bill Robinson, Robbie Gray Lawn Bowling: Terry Hogan PickleBall: Dick Hildebrand
Race Walk: Alex Price, Art Klein
Racquetball: Merijean Kelley Road Race: Tom Service Rugby: Frank Merrill, Bob Benson Soccer: Mike Rohde Swimming; Michael Moore Table Tennis: Dennis Davis Track & Field: Leroy Milam Triathlon: Stanford Treeathlon & Dave Constant Volleyball: Alexis Bryce Water Polo: Andy Burke
Mission: To promote healthy lifestyles for senior through education, fitness and the spirited competition of sports, while inspiring everyone to embrace health and appreciate and enjoy the value of sports related exercise. The Senior Games are the best demonstration that "the competition never ends" and that exercise and physical activity are the keys to a long, happy and healthy life.
The Torch Run Continues in 2014: In 2009 for the Summer National Senior Games, we said, "The Senior Games competitors, like the torch that was specially designed for them, are trailblazers and shining examples of how ingenuity, effort, perseverance and vision create a vital new paradigm that promotes health and sustainability for people and the planet." This comment is true in 2014 as well - The Torch Run will take place on Friday, May 16 - each sports chair may choose a female and male athlete to run with the Torch. If you would like to be considered as a 2014 Torch Runner, please send an email to me at cribbsaw@pacbell.net
Finally, I want to share this thought with all of you. "The Senior Games are at the heart of the meaning of the Olympic Movement. Though they inspire us all, It's still true that many people watch the Olympic Games, see mostly younger athletes at the prime of their performance and say "those athletes are amazing, but that's not me..." With the Senior Games, people of all ages, even those who did not think they could swim, run or jump anymore, are inspired to a more active, healthy and fulfilling life...that's the TRUE Olympic spirit and the real meaning of the Olympic Movement, a challenge to all of us to be the best we can be."
We look forward to seeing you in 2014 at the Bay Area Senior Games.
Anne Warner Cribbs 2014 Bay Area Senior Games Chair
Chair, California Senior Games Association 1960 Olympian
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