Washington Games Athlete of the Year

All across the nation in State Games from Maine to California, amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels will compete to bring home the gold.  Every year, a few rise to the top, excelling in their events, overcoming great hardships or displaying tremendous sportsmanship.  Each state has the opportunity to honor a male and female stand-out athlete with the distinction of Athlete of the Year.

In addition to simply providing a competitive forum for athletes, however, the Washington Games aim to promote the benefits of physical fitness and health, while educating and preventing youth obesity.  Powered by You is an initiative that will team with health organizations and sponsors, public and private leaders and focus on a goal of making a positive impact and reversing the negative health trends in today’s youth.

With the aim of the Washington Games so much more than to just provide an athletic competition, the Athlete of the Year Award utilizes a set of criteria that reflects the ideals of the Games.  Deserving athletes in 2009 can be nominated by coaches, parents, and others and will be accepted until mid August, 2009.  A formal announcement of the Athlete of the Year Award winners will be made on September 1, 2009.

Recipients of the award from each state around the nation, who personify the ideals of the State Games movement; participation and achievement, sportsmanship, good attitude and effort and special attributes within the sport/community will then have their nominations sent to be considered by the National Congress of State Games (NCSG) for the National Athlete of the Year Award.  The male and female who best exemplify these qualities will have the opportunity to be the guest of the NCSG and travel to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for the NCSG symposium where they will be awarded this distinction.