2019 State Games of America Quickly Approaching
Virginia Amateur Sports (VAS) announced today some exciting news for the 2019 State Games of America (SGA). 2019 is set to be a big year for VAS, it will be the 30th anniversary for Virginia Amateur Sports and the Virginia Commonwealth Games and the first time Virginia will be hosting the State Games of America.
There will be 10 new sports added to the schedule for this Summer – Kayaking, Outdoor Soccer, FootGolf, Floorball, Yoga, Ninja Challenge and four new shooting events – 3 Position, Air Rifle, BB Gun and Rimfire. Partnerships with American FootGolf League, USA Yoga, USA Floorball and the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association are helping to bring these new events to not only State Games of America but to Virginia. Due to these partnerships, for the first time ever, State Games of America will feature three (3) National Championships within the event.
There are over 5,000 athletes currently registered for SGA. These athletes are from 45 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. There are over 2,000 room nights booked, thus far, in Lynchburg area hotels for the event, rooms are also being booked in Roanoke and Christiansburg for sports occurring in those areas. All Virginia residents are automatically eligible to register as the host state. Two local athletes are expected to be among the youngest and oldest participants this year at the Games – Avett Snyder, age 4 of Lynchburg (Track & Field) and Joe Lindsoe, age 89 of Lynchburg (Pickleball) – Joe will actually turn 90 on the first day of Pickleball competition.
VAS and the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association have developed an event for central city youth of Lynchburg to learn how fitness can be fun, as well as interact with the ninjas on the course. The event will feature American Ninja Warrior competitor – Maggi Thorne as well as other ninjas, and will be held on August 2.
“The Commonwealth Games have always been an exciting time for these athletes and an energizing time for our community,” said Jerry Falwell, President of Liberty University. “This Summer we are excited to host not only Virginia's athletes, but athletes from all across the country, as they come to compete in State Games of America.”
State Games of America is an Olympic-style event featuring competition between medal winners from other State Games events throughout the country and will be held in conjunction with/place of the Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty University for 2019. The State Games of America are held every two years, with the 2017 Games being held in Grand Rapids, MI. This is the first time Virginia will host the national festival, slated for July 31-Aug. 4, 2019. Like the Virginia Commonwealth Games, the 2019 State Games of America will also be a community effort. Virginia Amateur Sports, Liberty, and the City of Lynchburg will also be working with Lynchburg City Schools, Randolph College, Sweetbriar College, University of Lynchburg, local businesses, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
“We continue to work alongside our partners, the City of Lynchburg, Liberty University and our many corporate sponsors and volunteers to make the 2019 State Games of America a truly memorable event,” said Virginia Amateur Sports President Dan Foutz. “We invite everyone to get involved somehow - PLAY, WATCH or VOLUNTEER.”
“The Commonwealth Games – and our partnership with Virginia Amateur Sports and Liberty University – bring thousands of athletes and their families to explore our beautiful City. Our partnership has received national recognition as we are poised to host the 2019 State Games of America. We are thrilled as both the number of participants and the impact that they have in Lynchburg continues to grow,” said City of Lynchburg Mayor Treney Tweedy.
The Games will officially kick off with the Opening Ceremony on August 2 at 7pm in Williams Stadium at Liberty University, tickets are available for purchase online. Previous State Games of America have had an economic impact of $10+ million on the host region, with as many as 5,000+ room nights at area hotels.
Presented by Liberty University, Centra, ABC 13, Kroger, Construction Management Associates, Ford, and the City of Lynchburg.
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About Virginia Amateur Sports (VAS): The rights holder for the Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty University – this event is modeled after the Olympics, the Games welcomes athletes regardless of age or skill level. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living amongst residents of Virginia and surrounding eligible states. VAS has been organizing the event for 30 years and it is truly a grassroots effort that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and support from local sponsors and organizations across the Commonwealth. VAS is a member of the National Congress of State Games. As the host state for State Games of America, all Virginia residents are automatically eligible to participate.
About the National Congress of State Games: The National Congress of State Games (NCSG) is a membership organization comprised of 34 Summer State Games and 9 Winter State Games organizations and a member of the United States Olympic Committee’s Multi Sports Organizational Council. The mission of the NCSG is to support State Games member organizations in the promotion of health, fitness and character building through Olympic – style competitions and physical activities.
The NCSG is also the rights holder of the State Games of America, an Olympic-style event featuring competition between State Games medal winners (gold, silver, bronze) from across the nation.
For more information on the Games, visit: www.StateGamesofAmerica.com
For images to download and press kit, visit: www.CommonwealthGames.org/vasnews
Member of the National Congress of State Games—learn more at www.stategames.org