Final Thoughts on National Games

As we get back home and into our regular routine of life, it seems something has changed after last week's experience at National Games? What is it? I think the IT is ME! I have changed because I have been blessed with an experience that showed all that is good with LIFE! The good included 155 athletes, unified partners and coaches from Team Missouri that came together to create MO MAGIC! A little over a year ago we met in Mexico, MO to form this team. No one would have imagined it would become a group of people who not only showed sportmanship, athleticism and HEART! Our Fan shirts read: It takes a little MO HEART! Honesty-Enthusiasm-Accountability-Respect-Teamwork to be a CHAMPION! Their is multiple examples like Flag football playing 9 games in 4 days and winning them all. The volleyball team playing Iowa 3 times and missing the gold medal by one point! The basketball team down by 9 points with less than 3 minutes with a running clock and getting a last second shot that missed to tie the game. The tennis team playing on the hottest day of the week and taking home gold medals. The Powerlifting team taking home 6 gold medals by two very strong men! Swimming, Bocce, Track and Field etc doing the best they could by giving all they had to find success.

I can't forget my golf teammates: Shirlene, Peggy, Richard, Ken, Andy, Mike, Carolyn, Jason, Coach Steve, Coach Debbie and my partner Keith. I got the privilege to know each of these fine people better and I am proud to call them my friends. As we had early morning wake up calls, to dining in the cafeteria, riding the non air conditioned bus to the golf course, playing cards (of course the game we played was card golf) to playing golf with them. Each of these individuals have talents that made the week so enjoyable! I want each of them to know you help make my first experience at the National games the BEST! Thanks teammates!

As I closed this version of my blog I will be continuing my blog on a weekly basis on subjects that I want to talk about. If you are interested in getting this weekly blog please sign up to receive my posts on a weekly basis. To my teammates of MO MAGIC I want each of you to know you are truly CHAMPIONS!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Closing Ceremonies & Happy Anniversary

Happy 16th Anniversary to my special bride today! 16 years ago we started our journey of life together. Dana is my spouse, partner and friend and I could not have ask for a better lady to share my life with. Thanks Dana for always allowing me to follow my passion!

So, that brings me to the subject of tonights blog: Passion... We all strive to excel in things that we have passion for. If your job gives you passion for what you do, your work becomes part of you. You never have to worry about wanting to do the job because it doesn't feel like a job. If you are passionate about a cause or charity it becomes your passion to help fullfill the mission of the organization. As I have witnessed my first National Games I can attest Special Olympics has countless coaches, volunteers, staff members and parents that have passion for the Special Olympics movement. Forty two years ago, July 20, 1968 for the very first time Special Olympics athletes from the U.S. and Canada gathered at Soldier field in Chicago. The movement was started by one lady who had the passion: Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Team Missouri is honoring Mrs. Shriver passion by having her initials on the back of each of our shirts. Mrs. Shriver passed away in 2009.

As we witnessed Closing ceremonies we saw a movement of youth that met this week in Omaha, NE with a National Youth Activation Summit. The NYAS is taking the challenge using sports to promote social justice through discussion, callaboration and action. As seen from the audience and excitement from these young people their passion will change their friends, schools, communities. The closing ceremonies was a Rally format to activate the athletes, fans, coaches and volunteers to keep the flame of hope burning!

I am celebrating 19 years supporting Special Olympics Missouri this year. As I sit here writing this blog tonight I wonder what made me decide that my passion is in supporting the Special Olympics? I would have to admit at first it was purely accidental. I remember my first state games I attended in Ft. Leonard Wood and that changed me from being a observer to feeling part of the movement. As the years passed I stayed involved volunteering at games and donating funds. Last year I was asked to serve on the State Board. I told them I would serve since my other board committments had expired. As I look back, I don't think their is one thing that created my passion for Special Olympics but I do believe that the athletes passion to compete is the starting point that makes me so thrilled to be involved. I witnessed this first hand this week. Each athlete wanted to perform to the best of their ability and to show their skill at whatever sport they were competing in. The lesson we can all learn is follow your passion and you will enjoy the journey! Remember life is a journey not a destination!

I would like to thank my golf team for the thrill of a lifetime getting to know each one of them. I wish them each success as they leave these games in Lincoln, Nebraska. I plan on giving a full recap Saturday evening on the experience.

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Do you know what FAD stands for?

Day 6 of our journey was very relaxing & intense as golf finished up yesterday. This was the first day we did not have to wake up early. Our athletes all had a free day so it was a day to spend being a FAN! Keith, Debbie, Richard and myself went over to the Powerlifting venue to watch MO MAGIC athlete Robb. Robb is a very quiet but very strong man! He lifted 300 lbs on the bench press. On the dead lift he lifted 400 plus pounds. He tried for 480lbs on his last lift and just missed making it successful. This was a fun event to view and watch as a specatator. Robb brought home 3 gold medals on the day!

After lunch we went to the basketball venue to watch MO MAGIC in competition. This game went back and forth till MO MAGIC pulled out a victory. The one noticeable thing at the games is the intensity of the competition, it is what you would expect from any athletic sporting event. The basketball venue was electric during this close game win. We also had athletes attend track and field events. Tennis had a great day on the courts with lots of gold medals wins! Bocce had athletes that took home medals today also.

What does FAD stand for? Well, I wanted to hook you on this concept by one of the athletes on our floor named Michael. Michael last night came into the bathroom area telling me I have FAD! I had never heard so I asked what is FAD? He proceeded to tell me that it stands for:

Fun Activity Disorder. He said if you are here at the National Games not having fun, you have a problem! I could not have said it better!

We ended the day watching Flag Football play a nail biter and win at 6:30pm. The MO MAGIC team then played for the Gold medal at 8:30pm. The challenge with this game was at the same time I was watching flag football my son Adam was playing for the Championship of the 9U River League game against California. Every adult coach, volunteer, Unified Partner gives up not only their time to give the opportunity for these athletes to compete but often they give up spending a moment of time in events in their family lives. As the game became intense on the football field my wife was texting me updates on Adam's game. I really felt my nerves when Adam started pitching in the 4th inning. The football game started out 20 to 6 MO MAGIC but the other team made it exciting in last 5 minutes to make it 26 to 20. At the same time Adam's game went into extra innings with California tying the score in the bottom of the sixth. Do you realize how hard it is to recieve a text every time something happens in a game that you are not at? As the football game came to a close I received a text that Adam's team won the Championship in 8 innings with the final score of 9 to 6! Congrats to SIRCAL team I am proud of each and every one of you! As the clock ticked down MO MAGIC won won their game with the final of 26 to 20! As I was saying earlier alot of people give what they have to make the experience for the athletes to be something they remember for the rest of thier lives!

I will give you some additional insight in tomorrow's blog on closing ceremonies and what I learned from attending my first National games!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Final Round Medal Competition

Today was the final round for all golf competitors! Keith and I were on our quest for the gold medal. We were teamed up with Steve and Ann from Alabama. Our quest started with waking up to raining skies. As we traveled to the golf course it rained all the way. Our course is a 20 minute ride from the campus. It looked like we might have a long wait till we would get started. As we got closer to the course the rain started slowing down. We got off our bus and waited for 20 minutes and then they let us start practicing. We started our quest on tee 6. We made a par on this hole yesterday after Keith hit a 60 foot putt within 2 inches to the hole. I pulled my 8 iron that made it to green yesterday. I must have been pumped up about it being final round because I shot it 15 yards over the green. Not the kind of start that I had planned for. Keith got us out of trouble and we recovered from the bad first shot. The next couple of holes we just never got on track. Keith played well but I never could get on target. For some reason our ball found several trees during the day. We had several shots from under trees that did not help our game. As we were closing out the day we needed to close the gap in the final two holes. Our quest for gold came up short with us losing the gold medal by two strokes. As you can see above Keith and I took home the silver medal.

Our golf team finished the competition with 1 Gold 3 Silver 1 Bronze and 1 Ribbon! Each golf team member played to the best of thier ability! I am proud of each member of our team. As I look back at our journey that started over a year ago it really makes you proud of how each person on the team came together to form a unit.

The experience has been unbelievable. I will give you some additional insight the next couple of blogs. But, to be honest I am tired we have been getting up at 5am every day and going all day! And sleeping in a dorm bed again brings back memories that sometimes you would be glad to forget.

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Day 2 Competition

Today we are going to take a different twist and talk about some of the other athletic events taking place at the 2010 National Games. After we finished golf we went over and saw the Volleyball team win a great match against Iowa in a 3 set match. One of the volleyball coaches is Curt Yaeger who is head coach at Jefferson City High School. It is just another example of individuals giving of their time and expertise to help the Special Olympic athletes be the best of their ability.

Tonight we went and watched the awards for the ladies bowling team. Each of our ladies recieved a medal in different divisions. It was really cool when TEAM MISSOURI won a medal the Green MO Magic team went crazy! The exciting thing is we are all pulling for each other! Team Missouri came together a year ago in June and the goal was to make each of us a team and make each team MO MAGIC! I would say the mission has been accomplished!

Now to our golf round, Keith and I shot a 61 today. The best part is we had 2 pars! Keith almost sank a 60 foot putt on number 6 to give me a 2 inch putt to make our first par of the tourney! Keith's fan club has been out in full force and we have the largest following of fans on the course! Keith had family come up from Omaha to watch him play today. It is so gratifying to see Keith enjoy playing the sport of golf. I will tell you he is a competitor because when things don't go so great he gets frustrated and disgusted! I know how this is because his partner (me) is the same way. I told his family today that I know that stubborness because I have some of that same trait.

Late breaking news Coach Steve just got back from the meeting and we will have a chance to earn the coveted Gold medal that Keith has been in search of at the National Games.

Stay tune and I will give you an update tomorrow evening on the medal round!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Day 1 Competition

Today the golf team started their quest for a gold medal! We played our first round and ended with a score of 60. Our score gets combined with Tuesday results and then we are divisioned for medal rounds on Wednesday. Our goal of a gold medal is still achieveable if we play better every day. We had a gorgeous day to enjoy golf with overcast clouds and very cool temperatures. Keith wanted to make sure I let everyone know I hit the ball in the water again and he made the recovery shot to save us! I keep telling him that is what a good partner is for.

As I took in the sites at the golf course something became very evident today. These athletes are supported by many wonderful families. The athletes and the families are enjoying the thrill that thier child, son, daughter, brother or sister is competing at National level. The challenge brings with it the stress you would see at any athletic event. Everyone wants to win but all the athletes understand the MOST important part is do their very best! A couple of weeks ago I heard Lou Holtz speak at a Vitae event. Lou made this point to the crowd and I think it applies to what is happening in Lincoln, Nebraska at these games. Lou said live by these 3 rules: 1. Always do what is right! 2. Do the best of your ability! 3. Show you care!

I can tell you from the coaches, to the volunteers, to the officials, to the fans, the athletes at these games are proving Lou Holtz that sportmanship at Special Olympics believes by his creed.

I hope you are enjoying the blog!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Opening Ceremonies & Practice Round Day

The golf team started off thier day with a 5am wake up call. We had a practice round at the golf course scheduled this morning and the bus was making one trip at 6:15am. We got to the course

before 7am. We hit range balls and then played 9 holes alternate shot. Keith and I scored a 53 for our round. We know we can improve our score. Yes, I will say it now I hit the only ball in the water and my partner Keith picked me up by puttting the next shot 10 feet from the cup. We play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to determine if we medal at the National Games. I will be giving updates every evening of our progress.

We then traveled to Opening Ceremonies in the Devaney Center. It takes lots of planning when you organize 3,000 plus atheletes, coaches and unified partners! The National Games did a great job having a amazing opening ceremonies. Michael Sarver who was seen on American Idol and Jars of Clay. The EKS you see on the back of our shirts is to honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver who started Special Olympics. She passed away last year and during opening ceremonies they honored her for having the vision that people with disabilities have the right to be recognized the same as any other person on this earth. One thing that just sticks out is that Special Olympics is changing the mindset people have about people with disabilities. I am telling you I have gotten to know Carolyn , Jason, Richard, Shirlene, Andy and Keith that are on the golf team and these fine ladies and gentleman are great people! I have said it before but I know I need lots of reminders: " They take life as it comes and adjust to the situation" something we all could learn a lesson on two on. The highlight of course is the lighting of the cauldron which we call the "Flame of Hope"

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

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Travels to Lincoln, Nebraska for Nationals

As they say let the games begin! We started our National Games trip on Friday with a Central and Northeast area send off at the MU Athletic Complex. Gov. Jay Nixon joined the athletes and wished them well on the journey in representing TEAM MISSOURI! Truman the Tiger and the Golden Girls and Cheerleaders gave the athletes a rousing MU Send Off! Great job by two of our Board Members Colleen and Jeanie.

We met our buses on Saturday morning and left Columbia at 7am to a police escort to KC! We met up with the rest of MO Magic! MO Magic is our team name for the 155 athletes, coaches and uniform partners. We arrived at Kaufmann Stadium to bands playing and our fans cheering the athletes into the stadium. The Royals gave us the Red Carpet treatment to the outfield area of their beautiful new stadium. We had a great time at Royals Stadium. The Special Olympics staff did a GREAT job giving us a awesome party for our send off!

We left Kaufmann Stadium at 1pm to a police motorcade. The officers stopped traffic for all ramps. I don't know if you have ever been in a police motorcade but it makes you feel very important. The athletes on our bus would cheer when an officer would zoom ahead and stop traffic just for us! As you can see on one 0f the pictures, one of the signs leaving Missouri said, "Go TEAM Missouri"

My family is making the trip and going to the Opening Ceremonies. On Monday they will watch Kieth and I play our first round on Monday! We have a practice round of golf on Sunday and Opening Ceremonies!

I will share some pictures and give you an update in the evening!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Gary Action List Blog

I have created a Blog to post information on the Special Olympics National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska starting on Saturday. Keith my golf partner and I will be competing in Unified Golf next week. I will be sending out information about the games and pictures for you to stay updated on our quest for a GOLD medal. From day one Keith has told me his goal is to bring home the Gold medal from the National Games! I am sure glad he does not mind putting pressure on us. I will send our first post out either Saturday night or Sunday morning!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary

Gary's New Blog

I have created Garys Action List to blog about my travels starting Saturday to Special Olympics National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska. I will be sending out a daily update about the games. Keith my golf partner and I will be competing in Unified Golf. I look forward to sharing information about the games and pictures from the events. Look for the first post Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

Have a GREAT day!

Gary