About BGSG

Mission

The Bluegrass State Games is a non-profit program sponsored privately to promote amateur athletics across the Commonwealth. It is designed to provide Kentuckians of all ages and skill levels a wholesome avenue for positive development through sports and physical activity, to promote and develop amateur athletics and to provide the amateur athlete an opportunity to showcase their talent and receive statewide recognition.

Bluegrass State Games is a member of the National Congress of State Games which is a member of the United States Olympic Committee.

History

Created in 1985 by Governor Martha Layne Collins, the Bluegrass State Games is a non-profit program sponsored privately to promote amateur athletics across the Commonwealth.

It is designed to provide Kentuckians of all ages and skill levels a wholesome avenue for positive and healthy development through sports and physical activity, while promoting and developing amateur athletics to provide the amateur athlete an opportunity to showcase his/her talent and receive statewide recognition.

Facts

  • Largest participation of any amateur sporting event in the state, more than 15,000 participants in 2008 and continues to be one of the longest running events of its kind in the United States.
  • 30 different sports offered.
  • High percentage of participants are in multiple tournaments and competitions throughout the state annually. They like to travel!
  • Sports events are held in Fayette, Woodford, Scott, Clark, Madison and Franklin Counties.
  • The Games bring together Kentuckians from around the Commonwealth each year to compete in many different sports and activities.
  • The Games have been a mainstay of Kentucky’s culture since its inception, but it is now being re-energized. Our corporate and media partnership program is the main element of that rejuvenation.

Bluegrass Sports Commission Board

Don Adkins – Fayette County Schools
David Bertram – IMG
Steve Brooks
Paul Chartier – Fifth Third Bank
Kimra Cole – Lexington-Fayette Urban County Gov.
Brigid DeVries – Kentucky High School Athletic Association
Brooks Downing – BEST – Blue Entertainment Sports Television
Sam Dunn – Bluegrass Management Group
Cliff Feltham – Kentucky Utilities
Joe Fields – Lexington Center Corporation
Rick Ford – iHigh, Inc.
Ken Jackson – Kentuckiana Farms
Terry Johnson – World Games Foundation, Inc.
Jack Kelly
Don Lane – Transylvania University
David Lord – Lexington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ed Mastrean
Russ Pear – UK Athletics Association
Sharon Pfister – Asher Agency – Subway
Fredella Prather – Appliance Distributors, Inc.
Alan Stein – Lexington Legends
Joe Terry – Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP
Bryan Vaughn – Humana
Kris Zander – Kentucky Youth Soccer

Bluegrass Sports Commission Executive Committee

Brooks Downing
Alan Stein
George Stafford