10,000 athletes competing in 60 sports to be exact.
For 26 years the Subway Commonwealth Games have provided excellent opportunities for thousands of Virginians to develop and foster new relationships, establish new goals and personal bests while at the same time learning teamwork, sportsmanship, as well as individual and team responsibilities. Various reports show that those who participate in sports have a much better chance to be successful in life.
2015 brings a new venue for the popular opening night ceremonies held on the games’ main weekend, this year July 17-19.
Moving from a long run at the Berglund Center (formally the Roanoke Civic Center), Main Games Weekend kicks off at the Salem Red Sox Stadium on Friday, July 17th at 4 pm with the Grand Home Furnishings Athlete Tailgate Party including food provided by Subway, interactive games, music, prizes and more. Following will be the Opening Ceremonies, including 2015 motivational speaker Dot Richardson, Miss Virginia, fireworks, the exciting parade of athlete followed by a Salem Red Sox game.
“It was a tough decision,” Pete Lampman, President of Virginia Amateur Sports said of the decision to move the opening night venue. “We’ve been inside for so many years, but this is something new and exciting. We’ll have the big screen of the athletes and the Red Sox have been great working with us to make this a truly unique night. It’s a one-year commitment after which we”ll evaluate how it’s received.” Lampman acknowledged there was a cost savings with the move.
Main Games weekend upholds a positive reputation with the community for bolstering tourism and serving as an economic engine to the Roanoke Valley each year.
Over the past 25 years, the Games have provided an estimated $75 million economic impact on the state and communities.
“The Subway Commonwealth Games are important part of Virginia’s Blue Ridge as a sports destination,” stated Landon Howard, President of the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We welcome all the athletes and their families as they come in to play their favorite sport and enjoy all the region has to offer as a vacation destination.”
The Games will be adding 9 sports to the 2015 competition schedule. They include Artistic Skating, Roller Derby Mixer and Artistic Roller Skating played at AJ Skateworld in Appomattox, FootGolf at Roanoke’s Ole Monterey Golf Club, Paddleboarding at Marina Shores Marina in Virginia Beach, Skiing, Snowboarding and Skateboarding at Liberty University in Lynchburg, plus FlingGolf at Massanutten Resort in McGaheysville.
“We give new events a three-year trial period,” Lampman noted. “Their continuation is based on the level of participation.”
Also, in 2015, Virginia Amateur Sports and the Subway Commonwealth Games are partnering with the Virginia Wounded Warrior program and the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center to offer specific sports and divisions for veterans and those with disabilities to participate in. These events were added to the Games to honor our veterans’ sacrifices and to empower their strength to compete.
Six different events include Track & Field at William Fleming High School, 5K on Wiley Drive in Roanoke, Archery at Green Hill Park in West Salem, Shooting at Roanoke Rifle & Revolver Club, Bowling at New River Valley Superbowl and Racquetball at The Sports Racket Club.
Three divisions will be offered to compete: General, where veterans compete against all competitors, regardless of status; Veteran, where veterans compete against other veterans only; Disabled Veteran, where veterans with a physical disability who would like to compete against other disabled veterans only.
These events are also sponsored in part by Blue Ridge Independent Living Center in celebration and recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Virginians with Disabilities Act and the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which acknowledges the impact for making all sports accessible to people with disabilities.
Dot Richardson continues a rich tradition of the opening ceremonies, being an Olympic gold medalist. Dot became a two-time gold medalist at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games as a member of the US softball team. She had the first American hit, scored the first run and hit the first home run in Olympic history. Dot started playing softball at age 13, eventually playing on the UCLA National Championship Team where she was three-time UCLA MVP, three-time NCAA All-American and NCAA Player of the Decade in softball for the 1980’s.
Academically, Dot earned a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and Pre-Med, Masters in Exercise Physiology, a Medical Degree and a Postdoctoral Residency as an Orthopedic Surgeon.
Richardson is the Board Chair for the Fellowship of Athletes Ministry and from 2001-2008, George W. Bush appointed her Vice-Chair of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Richardson has significant ties to Virginia, being the head softball coach of the Liberty University Flames since 2013.
Richardson has developed into a powerful motivation speaker.
“A true champion is someone who wants to make a difference, who never gives up and who gives everything she has no matter what the circumstances are,” Richardson proclaims. “A true champion works hard and never loses sight of her dreams.”
“We’re very fortunate to have Dot Richardson as our motivational speaker,” Lampman pointed out. “She impressed us on what she’s done from age 13 to where she’s at today.”
Bill Turner
