Dare Dave Challenge A Success!

"Dave started playing volleyball in his twenties he wasn't very good, but he had a passion for excelling in whatever he did. It wasn't long before he was playing at a high level. About 6 years into playing, he was on a team called the Lizard Kings at USA Nationals where they finished 5th in the Open division. The Open division normally has some current and past Olympians playing. Dave is the kind of person that remembers where he has been and doesn't step on any toes. He is a great athlete and will do anything he can to help others." - Daryl Korinek, CSG Volleyball Co-Director

Tug of war
"Dave was a great sport. He crashed in the 3rd turn while practicing, but he got up and kept on practicing. As you know, he didn’t qualify right away and had to compete in all 3 qualifiers to finally qualify for the main event. He was a great sport and we enjoyed having him out to the track to be a part of the BMX event. He did say that it was fun and something he might like to do again." - Deb Rima, CSG BMX Racing Director

“The enthusiasm and passion displayed by Dave represented the true purpose of the State Games, allowing athletes a chance to exhibit their preparation, skills and values where the focus is set on team fellowship and enjoyment of sport just as much as it is on winning.” - Brandon Rohr, CSG Dodgeball Director

Dave's Motivation In His Own Words: Tug of war teams

"In January, I was hospitalized (for the 1st time in my life) with M.R.S.A. (a bad strain of Staph infection) in my left arm/elbow. After trying 2 different types of antibiotics the Infectious Disease Doctors came into my room and laid it on the line for me. One of them said they wanted to try one more antibiotic over the third night of my stay and that I would be prepped for surgery the following morning. I was then told that if this procedure did not work, 'We will have to take your arm from just above your elbow.' I will NEVER forget just staring at him, blank look on my face, waiting for him to laugh or say that he was just kidding. But he didn't. It's bad enough to have someone tell you that, it's even worse when you are left handed. It was a VERY sobering moment. Obviously and thankfully the third antibiotic worked and everything stayed where it should.

I don't remember exactly when we all got the 25 event idea together, but I think it was shortly after I was back from the hospital. I made a personal commitment to myself that I would not take anything/one that I have in my life for granted ever again. And that there are so many people that have it so much harder than I do, so the 25 was a challenge to myself to show others that same message."

21 down, 4 to go!

"The weekend was extremely busy to say the least. I can guarantee that nobody was more appreciative of the cooler temperatures than I was. Going into the weekend, I had already guessed that the 800m race would be the hardest event of the weekend for me to endure. As hard as it was, I was wrong. Tug of War was hands down the most strenuous and challenging of all of the events thus far. With it being my 9th event of the day, it made my 10th and final event, Beach Wrestling, almost impossible to find the energy to compete with. After some words of encouragement from Brendan Stai Rob Zatechka, and Aaron Taylor, three of my opponents in the Tug of War, I found it in me to pull out a silver medal in my last event of the day."

July 17 marked the official start of the 25th Cornhusker State Games (CSG) and for Dave Sutko, long-time CSG volunteer, it means one crazy-filled week.

In 2007 the Nebraska Sports Council started a campaign called “Dare Dave” whereby CSG athletes would vote for which CSG event Executive Director Dave Mlnarik would participate.

After two years of letting athletes choose his CSG fate, Mlnarik delegated the challenge to long-time friend Dave Sutko. This year, Sutko has taken the Dare Dave challenge to a whole new level. In honor of the 25th Games of the Cornhusker State, Sutko is training for and participating in 25 different events in 10 days of CSG competition.

Sutko is the owner of Spike’s Beach Bar and Grille, a full-service restaurant and bar with 12 outdoor volleyball courts and three indoor. Spike’s is one of the busiest CSG venues, annually hosting volleyball, dodgeball, beach wrestling and now, tug-of-war. Sutko is the Outdoor Volleyball Director at the Games and one of the top male volleyball players in the Great Plains Region.

In taking on the challenge of participating in 25 events, Sutko said the dare is for all Nebraskans. "If I can do 25, you can do one!" Sutko challenges.

FINAL MEDAL COUNT: Gold - 6 Silver - 5 Bronze - 3 Participation Medals - 2

DAVE'S LIST OF SPORTS

Thursday, June 25
Torch Run

Wednesday, July 1
Sport Skydiving

Friday, July 10
Waterskiing - Silver

Sunday, July 12
Sporting Clays - Bronze

Monday, July 13
Archery
Trap Shooting
Skeet Shooting

Friday, July 17
Sand Volleyball 2x2 - Gold

Saturday, July 18
Sand Volleyball 4x4 - Gold
Volkswalk (Outdoor) - Participant Medal
Dodgeball
Softball - Gold
Tug of War - Bronze
Beach Wrestling - Silver
Discus - Gold
Shot Put - Gold
Long Jump
800 M Run - Silver

Sunday, July 19
Volkswalk (Indoor) - Participant Medal
Sand Volleyball 6x6 - Silver

Wednesday, July 22
BMX Racing - Bronze

Saturday, July 25
Mens Indoor Volleyball 6x6
Open Water Swimming - Silver
Footstock

Sunday, July 26
Indoor Co-Ed Volleyball 6x6 - Gold