W. MI to host 2010 State Games

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The 2010 State Games of Michigan will be held on the west side of the state, the West Michigan Sports Commission announced Tuesday morning.

The event is a multi-sport annual festival for youth and adult amateur athletes from across the state.

The State Games will take place June 25-27, 2010 and include 10 events -- basketball, bowling, boxing, fencing, mountain biking, rugby, softball, Tae Kwon Do, track and field, and volleyball.

Competition venues may include regional high school, college and university athletic facilities; public/private venues throughout West Michigan; Grand Rapids/Kent County Parks & Recreational facilities and YMCA facilities. The final list of venues will be announced at a later date.

"This event epitomizes what amateur athletics are all about," Tim Selgo, State Games of Michigan organizing committee chair and member of the West Michigan Sports Commission Executive Committee said in a statement. "The State Games reflect the Olympic ideals of sportsmanship, fairplay, perseverance and respect. At the same time, they are very much about promoting fitness and healthy competition among children and adults of all ages and skill levels. All Michigan residents are welcome to compete."

The commission says the Olympic-style competition is expected to draw thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators to West Michigan.

"When the West Michigan Sports Commission was established, one imperative was to launch a major annual sporting event that would have a significant positive impact on the economy and quality of life in this region," WMSC Board Chair Richard Vander Molen. "Launching this signature event was a priority coming out of our strategic planning process last year, so we're very proud to be able to make this important announcement today."

Joan Bowman, the West Michigan regional director of the Office of Governor Jennifer Granholm, announced the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports has officially endorsed the event. The council cited the health benefits associated with this type of athletic competition.

"This is a strong statewide initiative being driven by a group of dedicated volunteers and partners here in West Michigan and from throughout the state," said WMSC Executive Director Mike Guswiler. "We've laid a solid foundation for the event and are establishing a broad network to promote it through the YMCA and through sports association partners to potential participants, spectators and sponsors statewide."

The State Games of Michigan is officially recognized as a U.S. Olympic Committee State Games Program Participant and is a member of the National Congress of State Games. Each year, close to 500,000 athletes take part in nearly 40 State Games competitions nationwide, drawing an additional 1.2 million spectators and utilizing services of about 100,000 volunteers.