President's Corner
A word from VAS President - Dan Foutz
To all our supporters, athletes, coaches, sponsors, and volunteers,
Spring has sprung and the Virginia Commonwealth Games sprang into action holding our first event in 2024. On March 23rd, we partnered with Toy Like Me, MAPLES’s kids and Wheel Love for a 3 on 3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at Roanoke College. “No Dunking Allowed”, was shouted on the loudspeaker at the start the tournament where17 teams competed for the coveted Virginia Commonwealth Games medals. The tournament directors did a great job putting on a great event and we hope to continue having this tournament on our annual schedule.
Next up, The Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon May 4th at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Registrations are up and we are looking forward to a great race. There is still time to register for this sprint distance race.
We continue to celebrate our 35th anniversary at Virginia Amateur Sports. Please read the following article on the humble beginnings of VAS and some quotes from a few community leaders who took an idea, applied vison and wisdom to make VAS what it is today.
Have you sprung into spring? If not, now is the time to register for one of our events. Visit www.CommonwealthGames.org to pick your sport and register, it’s going to make you feel good. As always, we appreciate your support and participation. I look forward to seeing you all out there!
Best wishes!
Dan Foutz |
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by Chris Moody - VAS Contributor
2024 marks the 35th Anniversary for Virginia Amateur Sports. The organization was formed to bring an amateur Olympic style festival to Virginia for all Virginians to enjoy. The signature event is now known as the Virginia Commonwealth Games. What started as a germ of an idea has turned into an incredible event and remains Virginia’s largest multi-sports festival.
Now, thousands compete in dozens of sports across multiple venues each year, it’s strange to remember how touch-and-go things were in the beginning. Those nascent years of Virginia Amateur Sports were a struggle. A lot of work was done to plant enough stakes so the big tent that is VAS could be erected.
It started with a word from the Governor.
Gov. Gerald Baliles served in office from 1986-1990. During that time, he was a member of the Briarwood Club, an indoor swimming and tennis club near Richmond. Doug Fonder was a co-owner. As it happened, Baliles was with a delegation in New York and was shown the Empire State Games. He saw potential for a similar effort in Virginia.
“Back then there was a Virginia State Sports Commission, and I was chairman of that for the Governor,” said Fonder. “One day he asked me if I had heard of the Empire State Games, said it was a great thing for New York. He said, “I’d like to see you bring that to Virginia.”
Starting an initiative like a statewide mini-Olympics takes money. Might as well ask the legislature. (Read More) |
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