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The Iowa sports
Foundation, Inc. (ISF)
was created June 20,
1986 as a non-profit
entity.
Iowa is one of 40
states nationwide
which feature
Olympic-style sports
festivals known as
State Games.
New York held the
first State Games
Festival when in
created the Empire
State Games in 1978.
Iowa was the 36th
state to join the
fold when the Summer
Iowa Games began in
1987 and joined the
membership of the
National Congress of
State Games (NCSG).
The NCSG was
organized for the
purpose of sharing
and developing
information and
resources to improve
State Games and make
the events more
beneficial to
amateur athletes
nationwide.
The ISF's most
notable events are
the Summer Iowa
Games and Winter
Iowa Games annual
sports festivals.
In addition, the ISF
promotes health,
fitness, and
positive lifestyles
through health
education programs.
The nationally
recognized and
highly successful
Lighten Up Iowa
program has served
as the pilot program
for 18 states
throughout our
nation.
The 33 member
board of directors
is made up of former
governors and
athletic and
corporate leaders
from all parts of
the state.
Corporate
sponsorships and
entry fees provide
the major source of
funding for the ISF.
Historically, the
ISF has not received
any state or federal
funding.
However, in 2003 and
2006, Senator Tom
Harkin awarded the
ISF a congressional
earmark to continue
the Lighten Up Iowa
program.
Jim Hallihan, a
former men's
basketball associate
head coach at Iowa
State University, is
in his 15th year as
executive director
of the ISF.
The ISF plays host
to over 100,000 Iowans in various
events throughout
the year under Hallihan's
leadership.
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What are the
Iowa Games
The Iowa
Games began in
August of 1987
as a weekend
event, featuring
16 sports and
7,104
participants
(nearly a record
number at that
time for a
first-year state
games).
For the first
time, weekend
athletes, school
children and
senior citizens
could experience
the thrill of
great
performances and
satisfaction of
doing their best
in a statewide
Olympic-style
competition.
Summer Games
The ISF
probably is know
for its Summer
Iowa Games,
which annual
take place
during July in
Ames. Over
50 sports are
offered during
the Summer
Games.
Special events
are a large part
of the Summer
Iowa Games
environment.
Included in the
Summer Games is
the Opening
Ceremony, Torch
Run, Finals
Fest, Sunday Chapel
Service and
Adult Weekend
Celebration.
Winter Games
The Winter
Games annual is
held in Dubuque.
The Opening
Ceremony and
Family Fun night
traditionally
kick off the 15
sport festival.
Live Healthy
Programs
As the
founder of
Live Healthy
Iowa
(formerly
Lighten Up
Iowa), the ISF
continues to
lead the way in
encouraging
Iowans to become
healthier by
increasing
physical
activity and
developing
positive eating
habits.
Live Healthy
America is
modeled after
the successful
Live Healthy
Iowa program.
Live Healthy
America is a
nationwide,
Web-based, and
teamwork-driven
program that
will motivate
and teach
individuals and
organizations
how to make
positive and
lasting changes
to achieve a
healthy
lifestyle
through
increased
physical
activity,
improved diet,
and weight loss
over the course
of 100 days.
In 2004, the
ISF developed
the two youth
wellness
programs,
Live Healthy
Iowa Kids
(formerly Go the
Distance) and
Go The Distance
Day. Live
Healthy Iowa
Kids is a free
100 day program
designed to
encourage young
Iowans to
increase their
physical
activity levels
and make better
food choices!!!
Go The Distance
Day
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The mission of
the Iowa Sports
Foundation is to
promote amateur
sports within the
State of Iowa, to
host Olympic-style
festivals,
competitions and
exhibitions, to
emphasize, educate
and create awareness
concerning the
numerous benefits of
good health,
physical fitness,
sportsmanship, good
character and
competition to
Iowa's citizens.
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The mission of
the Iowa Games is to
provide Iowa
citizens with a
wholesome avenue for
positive personal
development through
sports and physical
activity, to
recognize their
dedication and
achievement, to
enable all citizens
the opportunity to
utilize quality
sport facilities and
to create an amateur
sports network of
administrators,
officials and
volunteers
throughout Iowa to
further the
development of
amateur athletic
programs. In
addition, the Iowa
Games encourages all
Iowans to practice
sportsmanship,
trustworthiness,
respect,
responsibility,
fairness, caring and
citizenship, while
striving to be a
champion on and off
the field of play.
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|
2008 |
153,690 |
|
1997 |
17,866 |
|
2007 |
119,399 |
1996 |
17,032 |
|
2006 |
103,538 |
1995 |
15,710 |
|
2005 |
72,713 |
1994 |
16,066 |
|
2004 |
59,755 |
1993 |
13,690 |
|
2003 |
34,744 |
1992 |
15,537 |
|
2002 |
22,705 |
1991 |
14,369 |
|
2001 |
21,282 |
1990 |
15,139 |
|
2000 |
22,692 |
1989 |
11,813 |
|
1999 |
22,333 |
1988 |
9,542 |
|
1998 |
19,696 |
1987 |
7,104 |
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