USG is a charter member of the National Congress of State Games (NCSG).

The National Congress of State Games (NCSG) is a national membership organization comprised of the individual State Games across the country. The NCSG is a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee and rights holder of the State Games of America. The State Games of America is the premier national Olympic-style sports festival held every other year. Medal winners from State Games earn the right to compete against other medal winners and match their skills and competitive desire in a national arena. The 2008 State Games of America were held July 24-27, 2008 in Colorado Spring, Colorado.  The State Games of America for 2009 will be held in Colorado Springs, CO (subject to change). http://www.utahsummergames.org/about.html

The 24th annual Utah Summer Games (USG) began Thursday at the Southern Utah University J.L. Sorenson physical education building.

As normal to the first day there was a lot of staging banners, booths, back packing, and behind the scenes stuff for the invasion of athletic competitors and fans from all over the West during the next couple of weeks.

This the 24th year of the USG it is just one year away from his 25th anniversary.

Why has it been so successful many ask? The main reason is that the USG has been and always focuses on diversity of amateur athletics and competition.

One great example of the diversity of sports at the USG is pickle ball. It would not be considered one of the most fan grabbing headlines tagged in amateur sports. You can see it being played in neighborhoods all around America.

The women’s pickle ball is just one highlighted today during our summer sun fest.

Just a quick note for those who don’t know the history of pickle ball. Pickle ball is played and coordinated for the 40 to 60 age group.

Pickle ball is a crossover of badminton, racquetball and tennis and is increasing at a very fast pace.

The biggest reason why this sport is expanding at such a fast pace, is that it is played in a relative smaller court about half the size of a singles tennis court. This allows many people the opportunity to get around the court at many different age groups and with many different injuries.

The medal rounds moved indoors to the Sorenson Center where Karen Marchant dominated the women’s singles bracket. Karen, the Canyon view tennis coach used her experience to coaster way to a gold medal.

She defeated Diane Shackling in consecutive matches although the Santa Clara resident did make it easy for Marchant.

This completes the women’s medal rounds with the men playing on Friday.

If you have never watch pickle ball, make it one of your options when watching the Utah Summer games.

I always like to close with something about why amateur sports is on an extremely fast paced growth level.

The USG gives a great showing for amateur sports.

With the likes of such venues you will soon see our sunny southwestern Utah and southeastern Nevada areas as one of the most dominant amateur athletic areas in America.

Check out video from 2007 to get pumped up!

2007 Utah Summer Games 2007 Utah Summer Games Opening Ceremonies Fireworks, This video was posted by swmania

The women Thunderbirds took the first game 8 to 7 and the Utes won the second game 12 to 10.

This game is the beginning of Southern Utah University women’s softball season and with what they showed this would be a great year for the women Thunderbirds.