Now 41, the Show-Me State Games Keeps on Playing

Imagine middle school track and field day. The hot spring breeze, plastic Wiffle ball bats, and orange cones to separate the different sports in the parking lot. Jen and Johnny are hopping around in sweaty potato sacks like their life depends on it, just to earn the same participation trophy and an ice cream sundae at the end of the day – with a maraschino cherry on top, of course.

Now imagine this day, with a dozen local sponsors, more than thirty sports in forty different locations, 20,000 participants, and an Olympic Games-style lighting of the torch ceremony to kick it all off.

This event is the annual Missouri Show Me State Games, held on July 18-20 and 25-27.

In 1984, Dr. William C. Allen, chief of arthroscopic surgery at the University of Missouri Medical Center, devised a plan to promote statewide health and fitness. This plan was made at the request of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health, created by former and late Gov. Kit Bond. Dr. Allen’s idea has evolved into the MO Show Me State Games, the largest state games in the U.S., which encourages Missourians of all ages and all counties, to participate in sporting events.

The games are grouped into events and each sport takes place in a different facility throughout Columbia. Volunteers come from around the state to help put on the games, from entry to exit, concessions to opening ceremonies. Jessie Sida, the Show Me State Games special events and volunteer coordinator, describes volunteers as the first people athletes see as they come in and stresses the perspective and experience volunteering can give.

“[Volunteering] provides an opportunity to see firsthand the impact that the Show Me State Games have,” Sida said. “It gives them an opportunity to see a different perspective.”

The games are funded mainly through sponsorship, registration, fundraising, and merchandise. This year’s primary sponsors are the University of Missouri, KOMU8, the city of Columbia, MU Health Care, Walsworth, KPOW FM Power 97, and Shelter Insurance, which has a team that will light the torch to start the games at this year’s opening ceremony. However, Columbia opens its doors to the games. Several schools, such as Hickman and Battle High Schools, have prepared their fields for participation, as well as recreational centers, and even businesses like Park Restaurant.

Each event, its location, and timeframe are listed in the participant registration forms, along with means of payment and proof of eligibility. Participants must be amateurs in their sport or don’t earn money from playing professionally, and they must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:

• Reside in Missouri for at least thirty days prior to the date of the competition.
• Attend college in the state of Missouri.
• Be stationed on a military base in Missouri.
• Athletes/parents must earn a living in Missouri.
• Full-time member of a registered sports club in Missouri.
• Resident of a state that does not have its own state games program (or sport within that state) and which neighbors Missouri.
• Reciprocating participation from neighboring states is allowed with agreement between the directors of both states.

The 2025 June Game sports are target archery, 3v3 soccer, martial arts, individual and par 3 golf, pickleball, and swimming. The July Game sports include 3D archery, baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, cycling, disc golf, fencing, judo, kickball, mini golf, mountain biking, gymnastics, powerlifting, road race/race walk, rugby, shooting, soccer, softball fast and slow pitch, tennis, track and field, triathalon/duathlon, volleyball, wrestling, and table tennis.

In Olympic tradition, gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the three winners in each event, per age group. In addition, four male and female athletes are chosen as athletes of the year in the general and senior categories for outstanding participation and athleticism. SMSG interim director Bruce Ungles notes that though there are prizes for the winners, for participants, it is about camaraderie rather than winning the gold.

“People get so tied up in being the biggest, best, and fastest,” Ungles said, “but it’s not always about winning. [These athletes] want to keep getting better.”

The SMSG also hosts the Senior Games, which are specifically for individuals over 50 who compete against others within their age group. Senior Games will be held a month before the standard SMSG from June 5 to June 8. The senior sports this year are archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, darts, golf, line dancing, pickleball, road race, shooting, shuffleboard, skill contests for football, basketball, and softball, soccer, swimming, table tennis, track and field, triathlon, volleyball, and washers.

The 2024 Senior Games Athlete of the Year, Rick Matheny, who has participated in the state games for forty years, said in a message, “While I’ve participated each year, what truly stood out to me was the time I spent coaching kids’ soccer and basketball. I believe it’s so important for kids to have the opportunity to participate in sports or other activities, and see their individual growth, teamwork, and excitement.”

His passion for the SMSG extends to other interests, too. For the past five years, Matheny has served on the board of the Day Dreams Foundation, which helps cover registration fees and provides equipment for kids whose families need help with the costs of extracurricular and recreational activities.