If home runs and free throws get your motor running, and you’re 50 or older, the 43rd Annual Senior Olympics State Summer Games wants you! That’s right, registration is now open for the final games of the season: 50+ Softball and Basketball 3 on 3. Get in on the action and show the world what “old age” really looks like!
The Senior Olympics Team Softball Tournament will take place in Las Cruces, September 8 – 10, 2023. The Senior Olympics State 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament runs November 4 – 6, 2023, in Santa Fe.
These events continue the State Summer Games, which have been ongoing since June of this year, and attracted 548 senior participants that month alone. In July, the State Bowling and Team Volleyball tournaments registered over 230 athletes. At the 2023 National Senior Games, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in early July, New Mexico participants brought in 38 gold, 36 silver, and 45 bronze medals.
Who Can Compete?
All tournaments are open to men and women aged 50 and above, and out-of-state teams are welcomed. In 2022 the Softball Team Tournament attracted 25 teams, (402 senior players) and Basketball Tournament had 25 Teams (13 women’s and 12 men’s). Teams play in five-year age categories, including 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75+. Out-of-state teams that have competed in New Mexico in previous years include Michigan, California, Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. 2023 is a non-qualifying year for Nationals.
Each tournament will generally start on Friday evening following the captain’s meeting, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. Team registration is $300 per team, plus $5 per player. To connect with team captains or request a team partner find, contact NMSO. Team captains can visit our website for a complete game schedule and team brackets, five days prior to the start of the team tournament.
Getting Involved
The deadline to register for team tournaments is three weeks prior to the team tournament date. To register for the Senior Olympics Team Softball Tournament, visit the website page. To register for the Senior Olympics State 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, visit the website page.
In addition to the competition, athletes have the chance to catch up with friends and share in the camaraderie of the games. Teams are awarded custom medallions for first, second, and third place for each age division.
The softball buzz from the Silver City Morning Star Governors 50+ team is our very own Lt. Governor Howie Morales may be playing this year in memory of his dad, Henry Morales, who played in the 70+’s Men’s Team.
About the Senior Olympics
Now in its 43rd year, the Annual Senior Olympics State Summer Games are funded in part by the New Mexico Department of Aging and Long-Term Services. New Mexico Summer Olympics (NMSO) is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for all seniors aged 50 years and older through education, fitness, and sporting events. NMSO is headquartered in Roswell, New Mexico. Every other year, the Annual Senior Olympics State Summer Games qualify New Mexico seniors for the National Seniors Games.
NMSO is a sanctioned member state organization with National Senior Games and every two years (even number years) the State Games qualify athletes for the National Senior Games. New Mexico is considered an “Open” state and allows athletes from outside of New Mexico to compete. The 2024 and 2025 Summer Olympics will be held in Las Cruces.
For more information about the Annual Senior Olympics State Summer Games, including the playing rules, schedules, volunteer opportunities, and more, visit the website. Further information about NMSO is available by calling 1-888-623-6676 or by email at [email protected].
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
