Michigan Victory Games

MICHIGAN VICTORY GAMES
~History~

1st EVER MICHIGAN VICTORY GAMES

The first Michigan Regional Cerebral Palsy Games were held on August 20-21, 1976 at the Lenox Handicapped Center in Detroit and Wayne State University (swimming & billiards). It was made possible due to the cooperative efforts of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Detroit and the city of Detroit Recreation Department (Ray Clark, Coordinator of Recreation Outlets for the Physically disabled). Fifty- six individuals 15 years of age and older from Michigan competed in 26 different events. Events included dashes, slalom, field events, archery, weight lifting, table tennis, bowling, swimming, cycling and others. Participants within 25 miles of Detroit paid an entry fee of $2.00. Those outside of that radius paid a $20 fee which included barrier free housing at the Howard Johnson in the New Center area.

2nd GAMES (1977)

The second "Regional Cerebral Palsy Games, an Olympics- style competition for males and females" was held June 24-25, 1977 in Detroit, Michigan. Seventy- five athletes from four states and Canada participated in 23 events. Sponsored by the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Detroit and the City of Detroit Recreation Department, the Games was held in appropriate facilities in Detroit including those of the City of Detroit and Wayne Sate University. Entrants selected their event sand competed again others with a similar degree of handicap. Competition was on a team as well as an individual basis. Teams represented geographic areas, business and civic organizations, health agencies and therapy centers and other common interests. Some individuals entrants were places on teams when possible.

3rd GAMES (1978)

Michigan hosted the First National Games in the summer of 1978. Participating in these National Games were 150 athletes representing 13 states.

4th GAMES (1979)

In 1979, Detroit hosted another regional competition to choose athletes for the second National Cerebral Palsy Games in Connecticut. During the summer of 1979, Michigan sent 76 athletes to New Haven, Connecticut for the second National Games. The Michigan team did very well winning the National Championship over teams from 25 other states and Canada. Twelve of the competitors from this region won places on the national team, which will take part in the 1980 international games in Holland.

5th GAMES (1980)

In 1980, the Michigan Regional CP Games were held May 29- 31 at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. Sponsors included United Cerebral Palsy Association of Detroit, Detroit Recreation Department, Tri- City TR Program, Eastern Michigan University, Wayne Co. Easter Seals, Ann Arbor Center of Independent Living and Wyandotte Adaptive Recreation Program.

6th GAMES (1981)

The National Games were held at the University of Rhode Island. The Michigan Squad finished second to Connecticut for the team championship. Participating in these games were teams representing 33 states.

GAMES CONTINUE ON WITH CHANGES

The games continue onward. In 1985, Michigan State University was the site for the National Cerebral Palsy / Les Autres Games. The selection of MSU was based on more than just MSU's National reputation in intercollegiate athletics. An ongoing sensitivity to the needs of student with handicapping characteristics has made Michigan State University one of the most accessible campuses in the country.

The 1986 Michigan Regional CP/ LA Victory Games, directed by Michael Mushett, were held on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. Approximately 230 CP & LA athletes and over 250 volunteers from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Canada attended the games. This three day event runs on a budget of approximately $37,500.00. In 1986, the USA International team included three coaches (Jeff Jones, Mary Beth Jones and Gary Kupper) as well as nine athletes from Michigan.

PARTNERSHIPS ARISE IN 1987

In 1987, the Michigan CP/ LA Sports Association and the Michigan Wheelchair Athletic Association combined competition administration to hold the Michigan Sports Festival. In 1989, the third annual Michigan Sports Festival were held at Central Michigan University. A winter and summer meet was held this year and continued through 1992. Various Games director since that time included, Staley Seidler, Deb Mills, Maureen Mushett and Cindy Burkhour.

31ST GAMES

After 9 years, Cindy Burkhour resigns from Michigan Victory Games Director. The 31st Michigan Victory Games was held at Michigan State University. Athletes and coaches were housed at MSU's Case Hall. The Games were a success! Thanks Cindy for all of your hard work.

32nd Games

The 32nd Michigan Victory Games was lead by the newest Games Director, Stella Husch. The games continued to be a remarkable event for the athletes. Each event ran very smoothly and even with the introduction of some new events including an openning ceremony featuring each team, major sponsors and an ongoing power point slideshow that displayed individual athletes.

33rd GAMES