Empire State Games a goner — again; another nail in coffin?
A masters mole alerts us to the latest victim of the economy: the Empire State Games, which includes a masters track component. It was at this meet in 1997 where Glen Conley became the first M40 jumper to go 7 feet (vertically!) We learn from one of many stories: “This time around, the small Albany staff in charge of running the state Games either has been laid off or reassigned, leaving no one to help pick up the pieces. The web site has even been taken down. It raises red flags about the long-term future of the Games. ‘All indications is this is it,’ said Doug Ames, western regional director for Empire State Games.” How sad. Hope other meets in New York pick up the slack.
The torch may be toast as the Empire State Games do down for second time.
Here’s the story, in case the link goes down:
The Games flame out
Next year’s events have been canceled because of the state’s fiscal crisis. The outlook after that
appears pretty grim.By Jay Rey and Keith McShea
Published:November 18, 2010, 7:45 AMThe Empire State Games have been canceled for 2011, but there’s a sinking feeling that the spectacle may be gone for good.
The state budget ax fell Tuesday on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which funds the Olympic-style event that has been around for more than three decades.
But this is different than when state budget problems forced the cancellation of the Empire State Games in 2009.
This time around, the small Albany staff in charge of running the state Games either has been laid off or reassigned, leaving no one to help pick up the pieces. The web site has even been taken down.It raises red flags about the long-term future of the Games.
“All indications is this is it,” said Doug Ames, western regional director for Empire State Games.
Ames, athletic director in the Newfane Central School District and one of six regional directors for the Empire State Games, was told during a conference call on Tuesday that the Games scheduled for Rochester July 27-31 would be canceled.
“I have to be honest, this was a complete shock to me,” Ames said Wednesday. “We had a meeting in September in Albany and all indications were the Games were back and we were ready to roll in Rochester.”
Gov. David A. Paterson told reporters Wednesday it’s sad the Games have to be canceled, but with the level of state cuts being made, “you’re going to unfortunately see some very needed services and activities go by the boards.”
Ames was still holding out hope that Gov.-elect Andrew M. Cuomo and the new Legislature would take a second look at the issue and find a way to bring back the Games this summer, even if they were on a smaller scale.
“Obviously, if revenues come in, the next governor could make a decision about the summer Games,” Paterson said, “but I wouldn’t expect that there’d be a reversal.”
Lt. Gov.-elect Robert Duffy — who is also the mayor of Rochester — told the Rochester paper on Tuesday that he was aware the Games had been canceled, but said it was premature for him to offer an outlook on their future under Cuomo, citing the state’s $9 billion deficit.
“I can’t offer a definitive answer,” Duffy told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, “but I am certain that the incoming administration will revisit this decision after Jan. 1.”
Duffy — whose city stands to lose an estimated $10 million to $12 million from the economic impact that comes with the Games — hinted at corporate sponsorship as a way to fund such events in the future, pointing at Buffalo and its collaboration this summer with First Niagara Bank.
In fact, one of the reasons the cancellation came as such a surprise was because of how the event rebounded this summer in Buffalo, thanks to the corporate sponsorship.
The state budget for the Empire State Games was $2.7 million before funding was slashed in 2009.
But First Niagara came on as a major financial supporter for the Games in Buffalo. The bank provided $500,000 of its own sponsorship, an additional $500,000 to aid the overall budget, and helped convince other Western New York sponsors — from BlueCross/BlueShield to the Bills and Sabres and many others — to come on board.
15 Responses
The 2011 Empire State Games slated for Rochester have been cancelled, however, Rochester is attempting to come up with some private funding which right now looks like a long shot. In addition, the NYS Senior Games has also been cancelled, this meet is held in Courtland, this is the web site that was taken down, these are two separate meets, just to clarify the post.
The USATF Outdoor master’s meet will be held in Berea, OH this year, which is a reasonable drive for nearly all parts of NY State. Maybe the short distance and cancellation of the Empire Games will provide incentive for more than a handful of NY athletes to compete in this event.
There are also plenty of other track meets across the state where open and master athletes can compete.
Scott, if someone is from the Western part of NYS that would be a “reasonable” drive, however, what about athletes from Downstate? ESG Games participation by masters has been declining for several years, this cancellation did not come as a shock, take a look at last years masters’ numbers in Buffalo, the worst participation in Games history. Upstate, we have the Liberty Tour Series each summer, the Meet director, Anthony Mills is attempting to make his championship meets a State wide competition for open and master’s athletes. Participation by masters last year showed an increase in numbers, particularly by Downstate athletes who are reluctant to drive to the Western part of the State.
I’ve competed in high jump in the Empire State Games several times and am sorry to see the competition cancelled for 2011.
Strangely, Masters competitions seem to be disappearing from the New York City area; certainly, states like California put New York to shame when it comes to the number of Masters competitions.
I now usually compete in Opens when I compete in NYC. Always fun to challenge (and sometimes beat) the young’uns.
Best compliment I ever got from a young competitor: “Wow, great jump! Did you use to be somebody?”
The great Empire State Games is in jeopardy, because the politicians in Albany fired the ESG Staff. It does not appear that the Games Staff, or the LOC had done very much to secure local corporate sponsorship. It was corporate sponsorship that saved the 2010 games in Buffalo.
It’s time for the state of New York to re-think the Games. The State provides a limited staff and venue support. All other funding comes from the local area
and corp. sponsors. This way the local area and business get a return for the money they have put in. The State can no longer be the primary driver of the great event.
I have participated in the Men’s Open Javelin for almost 20 years, and have won a drawer full of medals over the decades. The ESG is a fantastic event and is always a highlight of my athletic year.
Say Karl
I had a comment from a spectator when I was in college at the NCAA Nationals around 1970 In Detroit, Michigan. I was walking in the hallway in Cobal Hall and a little kid and friend asked me for an autograph. I said, “I didn’t do much”. “Why you want my autograph?” He said “Because you are here.” That showed me you don’t have to be a big somebody to be somebody.
wow I have competed in the ESG many times when I lived in NEWJERSEY, IT was getting to be very big for masters thru the years sorry to hear that,its one of the last places I high jumped be for I stoped jumping as a open comp,last big time jumper there I remember was 5ft 5 highjumper fredrick jacolbs who was a 7ft 6 jumpper brock his leg in 3 places in a pick up game of Bball ,very sad
Wouldn’t be suprised to see the same happen to Pennsylvania. Not sure of the Keystone Game overall revenues; but I know for a fact that the track portion more than covers their costs.
What’s wrong ? These morons made a choice to move the Seniors Games portion of track and filed with the KSG. The Seniors games used to be held on a weekend separately. Now; it’s run on a THURSDAY; which limits anyone out of town who currently have a job; which is most people 50-64 years of age !!
Secondly; if you compete Thursday in several events; how many masters are ready to come back to compete Saturday or Sunday in the KSG ???
Third…..this is the ultimate in stupidity….they scheduled both the Seniors and the KSG the same days of the outdoor Nationals to be held in Berea. If you live in PA; how many masters will choose the outdoor nationals as opposed to the KSG/Seniors ???
These clowns deserve to lose what funding they receive, from the taxpayers !!!!!
Ken says, “How sad. Hope other meets in New York pick up the slack.” I agree. But maybe it’s an opportunity for some of you to come to our Ontario meets. Check out ontariomasters.ca to find out what we have, from the mini-meets in January, to our Ontario Championships (indoor and outdoor), to the Canadian Championships in late June.
This is again, is because of the lack of track and field promotion and coverage of track and field events by our governing bodies. When will you all understand that as with football, basketball and aseball in the United States, it’s about marketing and getting the general public to find a positive attachment in watching track and field in the television media and written media that will promote the sport. I don’t expect masters alone to make a change , but all track and field athletes and fans. Instead we have scared and quiet responses to this news and nothing will ever change because of it. What will you do to make a change? Forget just rooting for masters events , but all track and field events, youth to open. I see alot of you talking a big game but most sit back and enjoy critisicing others ideas. The heck with you folks and lets see if there’s someone out there who is willing to promote the Track and Field as a legitamate athletic competition other than every four years and making money for only the host Olympic countries and NBC in the United States who televises the events…
Milton makes some excellent points. Promotion and marketing is necessary to bring Masters Track and Field to the attention of the general public as well as to awaken corporate sponsors to the potential gold mine of targeting the baby boomer sports equipment market by having age-appropriate spokespeople.
I’ve got a feeling that there IS public and corporate interest out there but that the right connections just haven’t been made yet.
For example, I posted a YouTube of photographs from Sacramento Nationals and it got over 75,000 hits in less than a week. So somebody out there is interested in seeing Masters athletes perform.
Proper promotion of Sacramento Worlds might be the breakthrough that US Masters Track and Field needs to garner popular and corporate support.
Perhaps Ken can initiate a blog discussion about marketing ideas (e.g. what potential corporate sponsors to approach, how to approach them, etc.)
There are a lot of smart people in Masters track and field and I’m sure many people have constructive ideas on how to promote the sport.
How many sports ( football, baseball, basketball) have organized competition for adults over the age of 40???? This is one of tracks strenghts; a life-time sport !
Rob writes: “Perhaps Ken can initiate a blog discussion about marketing ideas (e.g. what potential corporate sponsors to approach, how to approach them, etc.)”
Not a bad idea, Rob, but why not avail yourself of the Forum? There, discusions are easy to find and comment on.
Rob, I think we’re on the same page, but it has to be bigger than just Masters T&F and it’s not an immediate fix. It has to start with the elite athletes and then it will work it’s way out to masters, youth, ect. People at the USATF or USOC promoting T&F to a persons with deep pockets and a belief he, or she, can make it work. A perfect example of this is after USA’s paultry 6 medal count finish at the 1988 Winter Olympics, George Steinbrenner who at the time was a quiet member of the USOC committee was embarrassed for the country after USA’s dismal performance and took it upon himself to become more active in making changes in a 21 page report to the committe then put his money where his mouth was and gave from his own pocket to help with USA’s effort to become a more viable team… and that was someone who’s heart was in another sport. The way the timing of the Olympic games are contested, (every four years) benefit the old guard of T&F higher ups, because I beleive they want a certain amount of disinterest in the sport until the big show, which then they cash in on at the expense of four years of sweat and blood from athletes world wide. If Olympics were held every 2 years as with World Championships held on the off years and T&F became more popular, then athletes would want to be properly compensated by thier countries organizing committee or meet sponsors. It would be more work and less monies going into the pockets of the old relics that seem to be in charge of organizing the Olympic games and they don’t want that. It’s a mess world-wide and it’s going to take everyone, Elite athletes on down to say,”Enough”, possibly not showing to the Olympics and have someone with deep pockets to hold a simular world- wide event weeks before or after the Olympics to challenge it’s popularity. People want to see the best athletes compete, not just anyone winning the Gold. Then just maybe, the old guard will crumble and a new group of Entrepreneur business folk will take over and run with the idea of making T&F a household sport brand-name. I see Pro lacrosse in my town and you couldn’t pay me to go watch it, but people do and athletes are being promoted marketed and getting paid. MLS soccer seems to be doing OK and I can’t tell you if I’ve ever actually watched a soccer match from begining to end, just as I’ve never been able to watch ,”Gone with the Wind” full length. I lose interest…but they seem to be making money and paying athletes to compete??? If Elite athletes get some love, then the other branches of T&F such as youth and masters will benefit as well riding the coat tails of their exposure.
This would be a terrible thing to let go. If it goes away this year its going to make it much easier for people to forget about it and stop fighting for it. If any of you went to it last year it was so amazin, just to see all thoes kids working so hard and doing something good for themselves when there’s so much bad in the world,(can you tell im a mom). I was so empressed by how well everything was organized and I even stayed around and watched other events that my son wasen’t even in.(Spent quite a bit of money too) (and,id do it all again) I also feel that public and corporate involvement would be a place to start. Maybe G.E. would like to give up some of that tax money that everyone keeps saying they didn’t have to pay. They might want to get there name out there for something positive and they could sure flash it around at a big event like this. How about Walmart, they could always use a place to show off their own products. Please, if there is anyone out there reading this who is on the board or a committee that could get these ideals to the right people please try. Don’t give up…. My son was in volleyball and it was the most exciting time of his life. He even got some offers from colleges!!!!! I work at a school and a sports center, and would be more than willing to do a fund raiser at school and or even ask the sports center to be a sponser for the games. These games are worth fighting for and so are our kids!!!!
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