The Meijer State Games of Michigan released details today that six new sports will be added to the upcoming 2014 Summer Games. The Summer Games will take place June 20-22, 2014. The Summer Games will offer 39 sports with the new additions and are expected to host over 7,000 athletes.
The official opening ceremony venue of the Summer Games will be Fifth Third Ball Park (4500 West River Dr. NE, Plainfield Township, MI 49321) despite the recent fire damage. The ceremony features an athlete village, parade of athletes, pyrotechnics, and the lighting of the cauldron.
In addition to the 33 sports offered, the new sports will be:
Bocce Ball: Site TBD
Cyclocross: Site TBD
Downhill Skateboard: Downtown Grand Rapids, MI
Horseshoes: Grandville, MI
Table Tennis: DeVos Place,303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Waterskiing: (3 Event): Slalom: Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker, MI 49534; Jump & Trick: Placid Waters, 8180 Placid Waters Dr. Allendale, MI 49401
“We continually review our existing sports lineup and add events that allow individuals of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete.” said Eric Engelbarts, Executive Director for the Meijer State Games of Michigan. Engelbarts continued, “Each sport offers a unique benefit for competitors. Waterskiing will be held at two world record capable venues. Downhill skateboarding will be the first urban downhill race in the Midwest. The table tennis event will also serve as the Michigan State Championships.”
The Meijer State Games of Michigan are also gearing up to kick off the inaugural 2014 Winter Games February 14-16, 2014. The new event is expected to bring in more than 2,000 athletes in its first year. The Winter Games will consist of 13 sports and registration is still open by visiting www.StateGamesofMichigan.com
Tournament directors for the Summer Game are already busy preparing. Brian Fowler, the Division Director for the National Collegiate Association for Michigan and Ohio and owner of the Holland Killerspin Table Tennis Club, will serve as the tournament director for table tennis. Fowler believes that the new addition of table tennis to the State Games will make a huge impact for the sport in Michigan.
“Table tennis has been a big part of the Holland community,” said Brian Fowler, Tournament Director of Table Tennis. “This is the first time the Holland Killerspin Table Tennis Club has hosted the Michigan State Championships and to have it also be included in the Meijer State
Games of Michigan is exciting” stated Fowler.
Current Meijer State Games of Michigan sponsors include: Meijer, Subway, Metro Health, MyWay Mobile Storage, Cannonsburg Ski & Ride Area, Fox Motors, Alliance Beverage Distributing, MC Sports, Kendall College of Art & Design, Peppinos, Lack’s Enterprises, Inc., SIBSCO, Heglund-Sova Realty, Inc., Mark’s Photo & Video, The GR Shop, Blue Ice Photography, Michigan Office Solutions, and Mercantile Bank.
For more information on registration and the games, please visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com. Sponsorships are still available.
In 2013, the Meijer State Games of Michigan – Summer Games offered 34 sports, bringing over 6500 athletes from 73 Michigan counties to West Michigan. An independent economic impact survey revealed that Meijer State Games of Michigan participants spent an average of $483 per family and injected more than $2.7 million into the local economy.
About the Meijer State Games of Michigan: Modeled after the Olympics, the Meijer State Games of Michigan welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability, and embodies the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among residents 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.
About the West Michigan Sports Commission: The West Michigan Sports Commission, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), works to identify, secure and host a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked nearly 300 sporting events and tournaments that attracted 315,000 athletes and visitors, generating more than $100 million in direct visitor spending. Visit www.westmisports.com for more information.
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