The Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympic-style, multi-sport event that welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level. As one of 30 state games programs nationally under the National Congress of State Games and the official games for Michigan, the Meijer State Games of Michigan embodies the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among Michigan residents. Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted over 110,000 athletes and contributed more than $42 million in estimated economic impact. A signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC), the Meijer State Games of Michigan is a grassroots organization that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the support of corporate partners.
2024 MAIN EVENT WEEKENDS
Summer Games (Grand Rapids) - June 20-23, 2024
Winter Games (Marquette) - Feb. 9-11, 2024
Winter Games (Grand Rapids) - Feb. 16-18, 2024
TEAM
Julie Cullen (Shields) - Director
Courtney Miner - Event Coordinator
15-YEAR CUMULATIVE IMPACT IN NUMBERS
Individual sporting events: Over 500 Summer Games, over 200 Winter Games events
Athletes: 110,325
Athlete representation: 83 Michigan counties
Economic impact: More than $42 million in direct visitor spending
Volunteers: 11,000+
Interns: 120+ from Michigan colleges and universities
2024 STATE GAMES IN NUMBERS
Winter Games Summer Games
Individual sporting events: 26 40
Expected Athletes: 2,332 6,100
Venues: 19 37
Estimated Economic impact: $210,000 $3,000,000
FUN FACTS – ATHLETES & SPORTS
Sports with the most athletes (top 5):
Hockey
Softball
Basketball
Baseball
Wrestling
Oldest and newest sports:
Oldest: Started with 15; original sports still going include:
Basketball
Bowling
Boxing
Fencing
Figure Skating
Ice Hockey
Rowing (note: didn’t run in ‘21 or ‘22)
Rugby
Softball
Tae Kwon Do
Track & Field
Newest: Soccer - Adult 5v5
Oldest athlete: Fred Winter (died July 9, 2018 at 103) participated in multiple track & field events. He last participated at age 100 in 2015; Joan Berman competed at 84 in discus, javelin, and shotput in 2021 Summer Games track and field event (86 now)
Youngest athlete: Nora Glass at three years old participated in the 50m run and long jump at the 2023 track & field event
U.S. Olympians present (newest events to oldest):
2000 Olympic gold medalist in baseball, Shane Heams, attended the 2024 Marquette Winter Games Opening Ceremony and read the Oath of Athletes
2016 Greco-Roman Wrestling Olympian Andy Bisek lit the cauldron at the 2024 Marquette Winter Games Opening Ceremony
Four-time snowboardcross Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 - gold) Nick Baumgartner lit the cauldron in Marquette in 2023 and Grand Rapids in 2013
2008 Summer Paralympics gold cyclist Mackenzie Woodring participated in the 2022 and 2023 Summer Games Opening Ceremonies and the 2017 State Games of America Opening Ceremony
1996 Handball Olympian Dave DeGraaf lit the cauldron at the 2022 Summer Games Opening Ceremony
1968 Olympic gold medalist Dick Fosbury was guest speaker and lit the cauldron at the 2019 Summer Games Opening Ceremony
1988 Track & Field Olympian Gary Morgan lit the cauldron in 2014
11 Olympians attended 2013 Olympic Day, including:
Dr. Judi-Brown Clarke, 1984 track & field Olympian and silver medalist
Glenn Meyers, 1984 archery Olympian
Mike Knuble, 2006 hockey Olympian
Pam Kruse, 1968 swimming Olympian and silver medalist
Emory Clark, 1964 rowing Olympian
Bill Smoke, 1964 canoe Olympian
Pearce “Rocky” Lane, 1956 boxing Olympian
Al Jones, 1968 boxing Olympian
Chris Thompson, 2000 swimming Olympian
Tyrone Simmons, 1972 fencing Olympian
Nick Baumgartner, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022-gold snowboardcross Olympian
Olympians Bill Smoke (1964 canoe Olympian), Emory Clark (1964 rowing gold medalist), Pearce “Rocky” Lane (1956 boxing Olympian), and Al Jones (1968 boxer), attended 2012 Olympic Day
1984 Olympic archer Glenn Meyers lit the cauldron with a flaming arrow at the 2011 State Games of Michigan - Summer Games Opening Ceremony; Pearce “Rocky” Lane, Judi-Brown Clarke (1984 track & field silver medalist) and Dan Cantillon (1968 Olympic fencer) also were present at Olympic Day in 2011
14 Olympians attended the inaugural 2010 Opening Ceremony and Olympic Day:
Joe Byrd, 1992 boxing Olympic head coach
Al Mitchell, 1996 boxing Olympic head coach
Pearce “Rocky” Lane, 1956 boxing Olympian
Julie Ovenhouse, 1992 diving Olympian and silver medalist
Dan Cantillon, 1969 fencing Olympian
Kevin Miller, 1988 hockey Olympian
Lisa Brown-Miller, 1998 hockey Olympian and gold medalist
Mike Knuble, 2006 hockey Olympian
Travis Richards, 1994 hockey Olympian
Mark Beaufait, 1994 hockey Olympian
Pam Kruse, 1968 swimming Olympian and silver medalist
Dick Bell, 1980 rowing Olympian
Dr. Judi-Brown Clarke, 1984 track & field Olympian and silver medalist
Bill Smoke, 1964 canoe Olympian
OTHER FACTS
The Meijer State Games averaged a 25 percent growth in participation and economic impact over its first five years.
Meijer State Games of Michigan was the youngest State Games program in the country to host the State Games of America.
The State Games of Michigan and WMSC hosted the USA Masters Games June 24-27, 2021 and 2017 State Games of America Aug. 3-6, 2017 – both firsts for Michigan.
Meijer has been the official title sponsor since the first State Games of Michigan in 2010.
MILESTONES
2010 – The inaugural year drew 3,500 athletes from 62 Michigan counties participating in 15 sports, winning 1,700 medals. Van Andel Arena hosted the Opening Ceremonies, with 5,000 spectators watching the Parade of Athletes, cauldron lighting and entertainment by American Idol Finalist/Michigan Native Matt Giraud.
2011 – Sports events increased by 60 percent (bringing the total to 24 sports) and participation grew by 15 percent. Opening Ceremonies were at Fifth Third Ballpark.
2012 – Participation increased 44 percent, with 5,800 athletes and 31 events that generated $2 million for the West Michigan economy. Opening Ceremonies were at East Kentwood High School featuring the American flag dropped in by skydivers.
2013 – Participation rose to record numbers, with 6,521 athletes from 73 Michigan counties competing in 34 sports, generating $2.7 million in direct visitor spending. Opening Ceremonies were at Fifth Third Ballpark.
2014 – The Winter Games launched with 12 sports and 1,645 athletes, with Opening Ceremonies at Cannonsburg Ski Area. Summer Games increased participation to 6,934 athletes from 73 counties, with 39 sports drawing $2.8 million in direct spending. A new Torch Tour celebrated the State Games’ fifth anniversary, with eight stops in the state.
2015 – The second annual Winter Games hosted 18 sports (including Quad Rugby for the first time) and 2,072 athletes. The Summer Games hosted 41 sports with participation totaling 7,867 athletes. New sports included Baseball, Tennis and Ultrafit.
2016 – The Winter Games hosted 19 sports and 2,099 athletes, growing slightly over 2015. Many sports were added to the Summer Games in anticipation of the 2017 State Games of America, with 43 sports and 7,943 athletes.
2017 – The Winter Games attracted 2,275 athletes in 19 sports. The Summer Games were replaced by the 2017 State Games of America, a first for Michigan – with 12,000 athletes from 47 states, Canada, Virgin Islands and District of Columbia competing in 46 sports at 44 venues, generating $10 million in estimated economic impact.
2018 – The Summer Games featured 39 sports, including five new ones: Ninja, Footgolf, Archery Tag, Diving and Shooting Sports- BB Gun, Air Rifle, and Air Pistol. The State Games launched a new event, the West Michigan Corporate Challenge, bringing together West Michigan businesses for friendly competition.
2019 – The Meijer State Games of Michigan celebrated its 10-year anniversary during the Summer Games. Spikeball and Paintball were added to the 2019 Summer Games.
2020 – The Winter Games were held in full, just prior to the pandemic hitting in March. A handful of outdoor sports were still held in the Summer Games with proper precautions in place to ensure a safe and healthy event.
2021 – The WMSC and State Games of Michigan won the bid to host the 2020 USA Masters Games in Grand Rapids in conjunction with the Meijer State Games – Summer Games – which was rescheduled to June 24-27, 2021 due to the pandemic.
2022 – The Meijer State Games added a second Winter Games location in Marquette in addition to Grand Rapids to optimize snow-dependent winter sports.
2023 – The Great Lakes Sports Commission was tapped to be the official host of the Marquette location of the Winter Games, starting in 2024.
2024 – In celebration of the 15-year anniversary of the Summer Games, the State Games is asking athletes “What Fuels Your Fire” to keep motivated and inspired. The aim is to encourage athletes, raise awareness, find impactful stories and create further excitement on the 15-year anniversary.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Julie Cullen (Shields), (616) 608-1845 - w, (248) 990-4994 - c, jshields@stategamesofmichigan.com
Kim Skeltis, (616) 419-8385 – w, (248) 890-9146 – c, kim@blueblazepr.com