Re: Save The Games

My 2 boys are wrestlers and one of their favorite tournaments and the one they are most proud of are the empire state games and to loose that because the NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT screwed up the financial status of the state all by themselves is a complete and utter shame what a tragedy for the youth of our state to be punished because the government and law maKERS SCREWED UP IS COMPLETE BULLS*** and not fair screw yourselves turn in your state paid cars and free trips for you and your families, cut your rediculous salaries, and free rides on the thruway, stop spending tax dollars on yourselves and reinvest it in the future leaders of tomorrow our youth show them you care about something than just youselves. Give the kids back the empire state games...

Re: Save The Games

Although I'd agree that some of the blame belongs on the law makers, I would say the people who are more responsible for the financial state we're in are in the private sector. People (and companies) have been out there for years saying, "trust me, I won't try to scam the system" and then they were scamming the system. As Americans, we all bear a bit of blame for not holding ourselves and neighbors responsible. We've been squeezing all of the wealth we could out of our society and the world and now it's time to pay the piper. Government is only a part of that equation.

Re: Save The Games

My son is a NY STATE champ,empire games runner up first year and a double gold the next.This is one of his favorite tournaments.For the gov. to cut this is absord it is a great learning experiance for the kids and older athletes.it is also a great chance for them to meet many new and exciting people.One of the biggest factors was it was free. I agree with one the above statements do away with something else leave the future athletes of this nation alone!

Re: Save The Games

I have been an Empire State Game Volunteer for many years and I didn’t do it for the money, but to pay back the State for all the years that it has provided this opportunity for my son to compete with the best wrestlers in the State. I have been a Referee, a Coach and a surrogate parent supervising the wrestlers in the Dorms where they stayed during the games. Many Fathers and Mothers of Athletes have done the same thing. These Athletes earned their berths at the games, it wasn't a gift! Because of their hard work and dedication parents, relatives, friends and game enthusiasts travel and stay in the game area bringing with them Millions of dollars worth of revenue every year. This is a big event and helps the areas that sponsored the games and their residents tremendously with the income it generates. To my knowledge no matter where the games were held they were always a success and the athletes brought pride to their sports performing as champions and acting as their sports ambassadors. The athletes were Ladies and Gentlemen and the Volunteers pulled off this huge venue without it skipping a beat. No volunteer received anything monetary for their time, no matter what their job was.
The games keep thousands of athletes busy training prior to games and provided a venue for college coaches to observe what might turn out to be their next All-American. A comment was entered earlier about there being better ways to spend our tax dollars. I challenge you to find a better way to keep our kids off the street, out of trouble and out of jail and give them an incentive to not only improve themselves as athletes, but in there academics as well. We should support these games whole-heartedly for the opportunities it provides to our children and to our State. It would be an outrage to attempt to charge any of our State's top Athletes one penny to have this opportunity and it would be the last time I would ever volunteer my time. I am outraged that our new Governor or any NYS Resident would even consider this as an alternative.