A quarterly newsletter published by New
Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc.
| New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc. | April 2003 |
Milestones for Senior Olympics
1979
First Annual New Mexico Senior Games held in Albuquerque NM—150 participants representing Senior Volunteer Programs: Retired Senior Volunteer, Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companion Programs.1979
New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc. founded. First Executive officers: Ernesto Ramos– Chairman, Jesse Castaneda–Vice Chairman, Jane Springer– Secretary, Jack Block–Treasurer.1980
Talent Show added to State Games.1982
Conducted an all Indian Senior Olympic Competition for 300 Native American participants.1985
NMSO representatives travel to St. Louis to help organize US National Senior Sports Org.1986
Team Sports are added to State Games: Volleyball, Softball, Basketball 3-3.1986
First Corporate Sponsor— Sunwest Bank for $12,000.1987
New Mexico senior athletes attend First National Games in St. Louis, MO and are the only Athletes to wear uniforms. Their picture makes the front page of the St. Louis newspaper—the USNSSO was so impressed with the beautiful red and yellow uniforms worn by New Mexico Athletes that uniforms are now required for the National Parade of Athletes.1990
Cecilia Acosta appointed Executive Director.1990
NMSO establishes first office and Ceci moves Senior Olympics out of her kitchen!1991
NMSO Founder Ernesto Ramos elected to Board of US Senior Sports Organization.1992
NMSO conducts first Sport Clinic for Year Round Programing.1994
Thirty-one local games sites formally established and sanctioned.1995
Ernesto elected Chairman of the US Senior Sports Organization Board of Directors.1995
First Senior Olympic Games Records established, and Results Book for State Games printed.1996 Golden Athlete Recognition Program starts. Lucille Sampson and Tony Quici first to be recognized.
1999
AmeriCorp*VISTA Grant begins Health Promotion Program for VISTA Volunteers.2002
Senior Olympians take part in running the Olympic torch to Salt Lake Winter Olympics: Sue Clauve, Anne Wheelock-Gonzales, and Marge VeneKlasen of Santa Fe, John Pino of Laguna, and Inez Ross of Los Alamos.2002
NMSO institutes Local Game Grants. Five grants issued for year round program development. All 31 local games sites encouraged to apply.