Two months ago, I noted a press release saying that the Empire State Games (and its masters track meet) would not be held in 2009, on account of the dreadful economy.  Now comes word from the Times Herald-Record of New York’s Hudson Valley that the Games may be held after all, with a full complement of masters events.  Ken McMillan writes: “Previous hosts Albany and Rochester are two
sites being considered to host the annual Olympic-style competition. A
decision is expected on Monday or Tuesday. . . . Western Region director
Lou Reuter said he believes the 2009 plan calls for a full Games, with
open, scholastic and Masters divisions. ‘There
tends to be some anticipation in Albany, at least among Empire State
Games people, that the Games will come off,’ Reuter said.” Keep your fingers crossed, New Yawkers!

Here’s the full text:

Empire State Games in 2009?

Maybe, but won’t happen in mid-Hudson

By Ken Mcmillan

Times Herald-Record

March 15, 2009 6:00 AM

A local host committee gave up its attempt to
host this summer’s Empire State Games in January, but apparently
negotiations at a state level may have found funding and the Games
might be held after all, though not in the mid-Hudson Valley.

Previous
hosts Albany and Rochester are two sites being considered to host the
annual Olympic-style competition. A decision is expected on Monday or
Tuesday.

The six Games regional directors
were informed close to three weeks ago that funding was made available
through the state parks department. What is not known is the exact
figure — it costs nearly $1.7 million to host a full Summer Games — and
what will be included or excluded from the program.

A
projected $15 billion state budget deficit led Gov. David Paterson to
ask all state agencies, including parks, to cut 10 percent of their
budgets. Commissioner Carol Ash made the decision not to fund the
Games, and have the Empire State Games office draw up contingency plans
as such. The Games office eliminated all open division and Masters
competition and proposed a controversial $285 participation fee for
scholastic athletes for the first time. Critics panned the
“pay-for-play” approach, claiming it would violate the tenet of making
the Games available to all state citizens regardless of economic status.

The
Hudson Valley organizing committee voted unanimously in January to
decline hosting a greatly diminished Games, which would have been pared
from more than 7,000 athletes to barely 3,000. Since then, some of the
host college campuses have booked their dormitory and athletic space to
other organizations.

Western Region director
Lou Reuter said he believes the 2009 plan calls for a full Games, with
open, scholastic and Masters divisions.

“There
tends to be some anticipation in Albany, at least among Empire State
Games people, that the Games will come off,” Reuter said.

The
directors were asked to inform their coaches to continue making plans
to schedule tryouts in the usual April-to-June time frame.

While
the continuation of the Games — which have run annually since 1978 —
would be an athletic triumph, there is sure to be some consternation on
part of the Hudson Valley organizers, who hoped to make this year’s
Games a centerpiece in the 400th anniversary celebration of explorer
Henry Hudson’s first expedition up the river now named after him. Also,
the Games typically draw $8-12 million into the local economy.

“I would think their reaction would be to be a bit annoyed by the whole process,” Reuter said.

Marist
College spokesman Tim Massie — who was also the opening ceremonies
chairperson — said he “moved on” following the local committee’s
decision to drop the Games.

“I am not even
annoyed,” he said. “I am wondering, why now the scramble? I am very
happy that there is some effort to see the Games continue, but honestly
I don’t know how to respond.”

kmcmillan@th-record.com