One of my first trips when I got this job 16 years ago was to drive to Flagstaff, AZ to meet with the General Manager of the Snowbowl JR Murray. My intent was to convince him that the Grand Canyon State Games should be a year-round event. I remember distinctly how impressed I was with the reception I received from not only JR but from Brian Beamer, the President of the Flagstaff Ski team and Rick Smith the Director of the High Altitude Center. The meeting took place in the Hart Prairie lodge. JR had set up a nice meeting area, a grease board, and some brochures with information about the Snowbowl and Flagstaff. Thus, the Winter Games were a reality.
We started with skiing and hockey in Flagstaff in our first year. Now 15 years later, we are the largest Winter Sports festival in the country featuring 42 sports and over 10,000 athletes.
This past weekend, in our signature event, the atmosphere was abuzz with Snow. The Flagstaff ski team lead by Lynda Fleischer executed a flawless event. With the help of veteran staff members like Dave Smith from the Snowbowl, Brian Beamer from the Ski Team, and Pat Bell former GCSG employee, the support was strong. Another highlight of the weekend was our very own staff member Tara Heinrichs son, Hayden (age 4) learning to ski for the first time with the help of the very talented ski instructors at Snowbowl. Snow, smiles, and exhilaration were plentiful on the mountain this past weekend.
Thanks JR!
~Wid
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The Grand Canyon State Games is a multi-sport Olympic Festival providing a showcase for the talents and aspirations for Arizona and America's youth regardless of age or ability and to share many of the great attributes of our state. In fact we have had a 3 year old come down the mountain in our Winter skiing event and a 99 year old gentleman throw the javelin in our Track & Field event. We truly have something for everyone.
