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Year #23 2008
In 2008, the Big Sky State Games celebrated its 23rd year with over 10,000 athletes from 250 communities participating in 36 sports and 2,500 volunteers. The Big Sky State Games still stands as the largest State Games per capita in the nation.
Two-time
Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Brianna Scurry was
the special guest athlete to light the Big Sky State Games torch during
Opening Ceremonies.
The Opening Ceremonies took place at the Wendy's Field at Daylis Stadium. After a four absence, Roller Skating made a come back to the 2008 Games. Dance Sports continued to grow, surpassing 700 participants. The Osborne Volunteer of the Year award recognizes and reward volunteers who demonstrate spirit of service, commitment, and enthusiasm for the Big Sky State Games. Kampgrounds of America provided the awards. The 2008 Volunteers of the Year included Dana Bishop (Flag Football, Basketball), Lanny & Sharon Fred (Track & Field), MT Amature Radio (Road Race, Cycling & Triathlon), Billing Aquatic Club (Swimming). Marlene Tetrault of Red Lodge (Swimming, Road Race, Tennis, Cycling, and Triathlon) and Garth Kallevig of Sidney (Handball), were named the Big Sky State Games Athletes of the Year and Girls 9 & 10 Grade Basketball Team Montana Hoops was named Team of the Year following the 2008 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 Cord Blanchard of Great Falls, Emily Carroll of Billings, Kylie Medicine Horse of Pryor and Tim Kienitz of Billings. Character Counts! recipients were juniors in high school during the 2007/2008 school year. The Character Counts! Scholarship is an annual award designed to promotesportsmanship. Applications/nominations forms are available each year at the Big Sky State Games office. The Athlete Assistance Program continued for the eighth 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 8,190 participants. The Activity teams logged over 1,927,755 miles (77.4 times around the world) during the 3 month contest. The Weight Loss teams shed 5,932.8 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 fourth year finished strong with 5,326 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. Fit Kids Day was also also a success with 10,990 kids. Fit Kids Day 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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