WPCNR SPORTS. From Westchester County Department of Communications. February 22, 2007: Westchester County is gearing up for a spectacular event right in its own backyard, and you can be part of the excitement. This summer up to 6,000 amateur athletes and 15,000 spectators will pour into Westchester for the Empire State Games, the largest amateur sports competition second only to the Olympics.
The games, a multi-sport event for New York State amateur athletes now in its 30th year, will be held for the first time in Westchester from July 25 through 29. From scorekeepers to medical personnel, more than 1,000 volunteers are needed to work at the 21 venues across the county including colleges and county parks.
“It’s really thrilling to have an event of this magnitude right here in Westchester County,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “It’s been two years in the making. Now that we are in the home stretch we’re calling for volunteers to help make this historic event a success. This is an ideal way for sports lovers to participate while not competing.’’
In a major outreach, the Empire State Games committee is contacting high schools, colleges, sporting associations, recreation departments and local governments to recruit volunteers. Those interested in volunteering should visit – www.empirestategameswestchester.com – the county’s special Empire State Games website where volunteers can sign up on line as well as get information about the games.
“We want to make it easy for people to get information and sign up to volunteer by using this new website,’’ said Spano. “The website also has information about the local venues, accommodations for the visiting athletes and their families, as well as online sign up forms for volunteers. The website will be continually updated. It’s the place to go for everything you want to know about the Empire State Games in Westchester.
Volunteers are needed in many different areas including:
· Media Center – volunteers to enter daily data of competition results.
· Communications Support – ham radio operators to assist with communications, work with medical personnel. Operators must have a current Technician class or higher license.
· EMT – volunteers specific for Emergency Medical Technicians.
· Medical Support – volunteers who are certified athletic trainers, student trainers, physicians and physician assistants.
· Sport Support – volunteers are needed to be timers, scorers, table help, linespeople and fill other capacities.
Volunteers who register electronically at www.empirestategameswestchester.com should follow to the volunteer link. They can also have an application mailed to them by calling 914-864-7149.
Visitors to the website can also find up-to-the minute information about the games, learn about sponsorship opportunities, sporting events and venues, opening ceremonies, local athletes (when announced), tourist accommodations and county parks and other area attractions.
Spano said bringing several thousand athletes and their families to the area in summer should boost the local economy with added business for restaurants, hotels, retail stores and entertainment and recreational venues.
In all, 31 different events, from archery to wrestling will take place at venues, including SUNY Purchase, Pace University, Manhattanville College, Iona College and Westchester Community College. Other sport locations include the Playland Ice Casino Tibbetts Brook Park, the Westchester County Center and Glen Island Park.
The games are a program of the New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
For more information, visit the new website at www.empirestategameswestchester.com or follow the Empire State Games link on the county’s homepage at www.westchestergov.com or call 864-7000.
