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 Year #21 2006 In 2006, the Big Sky State Games celebrated its 21st year with 10,500 athletes from 250 communities participating in 36 sports and 2,500 volunteers. The Big Sky State Games stands as the largest State Games per capita in the nation.
Men's Speed Skating Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Derek Parra was the special guest athlete to light the Big Sky State Games torch during Opening Ceremonies. The Opening Ceremonies took place at the MetraPark Grandstand allowing a sponsor flag presentation on horses. One new sport was added to the Games - Flag Football and a new division in Equestrian - O-MOK-SEE. The Osborne Volunteer of the Year award was launched this year to recognize and reward volunteers who demonstrate spirit of service, commitment, and enthusiasm for the Big Sky State Games. Kampgrounds of America provided the awards. The award was named after Tome Osborne and his family. Tom was the founder of the BSSG and Executive Director from 1986-1996. The 2006 Volunteers of the Year included Helen Bryson (Bowling), Wayne Ware (Softball), Debbie Magilke (Road Race, Triathlon, Equestrian, and Track & Field), Mike Carignan (Track & Field), Yellowstone Rimrunners Asssocation (Road Race, Triathlon) and the MOA Basketball Officials. Sarah Graves of Ballantine (Road Race, Triathlon, Cycling, Summer Biathlon, and Track & Field) and Bryan Johnson of Helena (Armwrestling), were named the Big Sky State Games Athletes of the Year and Women's Softball team Res Gestae was named Team of the Year following the 2006 Games. This award recognizes the top athletes of the Big Sky State Games who best personify the ideals of participation, effort, sportsmanship, and positive attitude. The Big Sky State Games Character Counts! Scholarship continued for the seventh year and was awarded at Opening Ceremonies to Bridgette Hoenke of Billings and Leo Davis of Billings. Both Hoenke and Davis were juniors in high school during the 2005/2006 school year. The Character Counts! Scholarship is an annual award designed to promote sportsmanship. Applications/nominations forms are available each year at the Big Sky State Games office. The Athlete Assistance Program continued for the sixth year assisting athletes that might not be able to enter the Games due to financial hardship. Shape Up Montana, a team wellness program of the Big Sky State Games had a total of 3,003 participants. The Activity teams logged over 731,126.95 miles (29.4 times around the world) during the 3 month contest. The Weight Loss teams shed 2,653.65 pounds of fat. All SUM participants were automatically entered into the Fitness Walk during Opening Ceremonies. Big Sky Fit Kids the youth component of Shape Up Montana in it's second year finished strong with 7,154 participants. BSFK ran in conjunction with SUM. BSFK is a free program encourages youth teams (school classes, 4-H clubs, after-school programs, church groups, etc.) to increase their individual physical activity levels in an accumulated activity contest. Big Sky State Games office awarded 3 $500 grants to drawing winners to be used to promote physical activity and healthful nutrition. Go The Distance Day was also also a success with 10,471 kids. GTTD is a free one day event. Schools planned a 30-minute segment of consecutive aerobic activity. Those schools that had 100% participation were put into a drawing to win 1 of 3 $500 awards.
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