Overview

MISSION / ORIGIN

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 24-member statewide board of directors.

CORNHUSKER STATE GAMES

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 2013 Games are scheduled for July 19-28 at more than 70 sites in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities.

The first Cornhusker State Games in 1985 offered 19 sports and attracted 4,000 participants. In 2012, the Cornhusker State Games attracted 11,643 participants in more than 60 competitive and participation sports. Participants came from 79 counties; the oldest official participant was 86 years, the youngest was 14 months.

Besides offering a wide range of competitions (from traditional Olympic sports such as Track & Field, Gymnastics and Swimming) Nebraskans' competitive interests are served by less demanding events such as Horseshoe Pitching, Mallwalk 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.

CSG RESIDENCY POLICY UPDATE

The National Congress of State Games, the membership organization of the Cornhusker State Games, has recently amended its residency requirement to allow non-resident participation in State Games events by residents of states that have no State Games program and residents of states whose State Games program does not offer their sport of choice. The Nebraska Sports Council, in order to foster State Games interest in non-member states, has agreed to allow non-resident participation in a limited number of sports on this basis.

SUPPORT BASE

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.

CONTACT

Learn more about the Nebraska Sports Council and its affiliated properties at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com.