The mission of the Nebraska Sports Council is to provide quality competition for amateur athletes of all ages and abilities and to promote healthy and active lifestyle choices.
The Council, which is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, was founded in 1985 by Dr. Richard Hammer, Jerry McGinn and O.W. "Bill" Smith and is governed by a 22-member statewide board of directors.
The Cornhusker State Games is a statewide amateur sports festival for all Nebraskans. The purpose of the Games is to provide top-quality amateur competition in a wide range of activities. The festival is usually held the third week of July, but the main weekend of 2010 in June 25-27 at more than 70 sites. More than 2,500 volunteers are involved in the Games.
The first Cornhusker State Games in 1985 offered 19 sports and attracted 4,000 participants. In 2009, the 25th anniversary, the Cornhusker State Games attracted 12,931 entrants in 64 competitive and participation sports. Participants came from 86 counties; the oldest official entrant was 100 years, the youngest was 2 months.
Besides offering a wide range of competitions -- from traditional Olympic sports such as track and field, gymnastics and swimming, Nebraskans' competitive interests are served by less demanding events such as horseshoe pitching, volkswalk and chess.
The Games is preceded each year by a three-week statewide promotional torch run involving more than 700 runners and local observances in 10 communities along the route. Other Games activities include an Olympic-style opening ceremonies and SportFest, which includes a free meal and a host of activities for participants and the general public. Other outreach programs include an annual $5,000 scholarship program and a sports injury treatment clinic for medical practitioners.
Programs of the Nebraska Sports Council are made possible because of the financial support of more than 60 corporate sponsors, in-kind and cash donations from more than 350 business and organizations and the efforts of more than 2,500 volunteers.
Learn more about the Nebraska Sports Council and its affiliated properties at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com or by calling 402-471-2544.