Bay State Games Mark 25 Years in Berkshires
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Nearly a thousand athletes will compete in hockey, skiing and figure skating over the next three days in North Berkshires as the Bay State Winters Games celebrates its 25th anniversary of providing a competitive outlet for amateur athletes.Competitors from across the state took to the ice beginning Friday morning with figure skating for U.S. Figure Skating and the International Skating Institute at Lansing Chapman Rink at Williams College and Masters hockey at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink. The first run for Alpine skiing launches at 9:30 Saturday morning at Bousquet Ski Area in Pittsfield. The games wind up on Sunday with the finals in hockey at 2 p.m. and figure staking at 6.
For more information and a schedule, go to www.BayStateGames.org.
The games also features the popular Bay State Skate figure skating show on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Lansing Chapman. The emcee for the evening is WNAW's Mike Garland and 2008 Berkshire Idol winner Kristina Clark will sing the national anthem.
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"The people of Northern Berkshire County have always viewed the Games as an opportunity to showcase the best that the region has to offer and we are extremely grateful for their support," said Executive Director Kevin Cummings in the 2010 games' silver anniversary program. "Their hospitality and the natural beauty of the area have combined to bring a special atmosphere and charm to the Winter Games."
Back in 1985, some 400 amateur athletes made their way to the Berkshires to compete in the winter version of the Bay State Games. Created by then Executive Director Douglas Arnot and Dalton native Carrie Crane, the Berkshires were selected because of the quality of the facilities in the area and the willingness of the region to support the event.
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Master's hockey competition is running through Sunday afternoon at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink. |
Some, such as Nancy Kerrigan, Tiffany Scott, Phillip Dulebohn, Krista and Kim Schmidinger and Karen Cashman, have gone on to compete in the Olympics.
In 2008, the Games began to honor the people and entities that have supported the competition over the years. This year's Berkshire Heroes are Barbara and Al Cece and their daughters Laura and Jenna and son, Derek, who've been fixtures at the Winter Games since its beginning. Also being honored are Judy Giamborino, excutive director of the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce and former longtime manager of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink, and Williams College, which has hosted the figure skating for 25 years.
So drop one of the skating rinks or head to Bousquet to watch some of the best amateur athletes in state — you might see some of them again in a future Olympics.
