Meijer State Games adds Winter event

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Officials with the Meijer State Games of Michigan released details Monday about the 2013 Summer Games and the addition of the Winter Games held in February 2014.

Both events will be held in the greater Grand Rapids area.

Modeled after the Olympics, the Meijer State Games of Michigan welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among resident of Michigan. A signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer State Games of Michigan is truly a grassroots organization that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the support of corporate partners.

To register for the 2013 Meijer State Games of Michigan, visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com .

The addition of Winter Games has been an aspiration of Eric Engelbarts, Meijer State Games of Michigan executive director for some time.

"We conducted a site visit of the Iowa Sports Foundation's Winter Games in 2011, and returned encouraged that we could implement Winter Games in Michigan."

According to the National Congress of State Games website, nine out of 30 State Games organizations offer Winter Games to the residents of their respective state.

"The National Congress of State Games is excited to hear the news of the Meijer State Games of Michigan introducing Winter Games in 2014," said Marc Riker, National Congress of State Games president. "It is a positive reflection on the commitment and accomplishments from the staff and board to expand State Games. The support from athletes and the pride from community partners to promote health, fitness and character building through this Olympic-Style competition are commendable."

More details including event dates, sports lineup and venues will be available in fall 2013. For the most updated information, please visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com.

The summer events will be held June 21-23 and feature five new sports, bringing the total to 36 sports competitions. The 2013 sports additions and confirmed venues include:

• Badminton at Byron Township Community Center, 2120 76th St. SW in Byron Center
• Diving at East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Kentwood
• Field Hockey at a location TBA
• Flag Football at Rockford High School, 4500 Kroes St. NE in Rockford
• Ultimate Frisbee at East Kentwood High School in Kentwood

For a complete listing of the 2013 Meijer State Games of Michigan sports and venues, visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com/sports.

"It's such an honor and a privilege to have field hockey be a part of the State Games of Michigan starting this year,” said Andrea Shaner, president and head coach of Forest Hills Field Hockey Club and 2013 Meijer State Games of Michigan field hockey tournament director. "We are looking forward to sharing our sport, which is starting to grow in the state. We hope lots of people will stop by and check out all our young and talented athletes in June and see just how exciting this sport is."

Meijer Co-Chairman Doug Meijer thanked the spirited and tenacious athletes who've made the event such a success.

"The Meijer State Games of Michigan evokes such a strong sense of community and state pride in its participants, as well as the thousands of spectators who attend," Meijer said. "Meijer began supporting this event three years ago because we understand how important it is to support the communities where our customers and team members work and live. And we're proud to announce that Meijer has pledged support for another three years."

Also new this year is a national anthem contest, which will feature singers throughout the state submitting YouTube videos of their best version of the national anthem. The Top 3 finalists' videos will be posted to the Meijer State Games of Michigan Facebook page for a public vote.

The winner will perform the national anthem in front of an estimated 6,000 people at the opening ceremony, which will be held June 21 at Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 W. River Dr. in Comstock Park.

For a complete listing of contest rules, please visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com/anthem.

Also during Monday's news conference, officials with the State Games of Michigan presented awards to the 2012 Athletes of the Year and Volunteer of the Year --

• Youth Athlete: Derek Nicks, Wrestling
• Female Athlete: Lauren Hooker, Lacrosse
• Male Athlete: Russell Williams, Tae Kwon Do
• Jim Haan was recognized as the 2012 Volunteer of the Year

"When I received the call from the Meijer State Games of Michigan telling me I had won the award, I was totally shocked," Haan said. "Then, after I had a minute to collect my thoughts, I was thankful for the honor of being selected by such a great group of people who volunteer for the Games."

The 2012 Meijer State Games of Michigan drew nearly 5,800 athletes from 72 of the state's 83 counties to West Michigan to compete in 31 sporting events. An independent economic