Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 10, 1990 TAG: 9007100135
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
In the chaotic days leading up to the 29-sport festival that occupied the sports consciousness of the Roanoke Valley for four days, it seemed the highlight film of the first Virginia CorEast State Games might have to be called "Days of Blunder."
Instead, the State Games organizer and executive director of Virginia Amateur Sports awoke Monday with a sense of self-satisfaction.
Fonder had promised a big show. And the State Games delivered.
"I think, for a first-year event, we have to feel very good about what took place here," Fonder said in his downtown Roanoke office less than a day after the final event. "It's like having a TV and having to tune it to get the lines and dots out. We have a good picture. It just needs a little fine-tuning.
"I would bet for every one person who had some bad feelings about the State Games, we had 100 who were nothing but happy."
Fonder said the dates for the second Virginia CorEast State Games will be moved up one weekend, and the competition will be condensed to three days. The next State Games are planned for June 28-30, 1991, with June 27 as a registration day for athletes.
Fonder slept little during the weekend. At 2 a.m. Sunday, for instance, he could be found driving a truck from which swimming coordinator Sandy Brinser dropped off pylons for the Ironkids Triathlon competition in Fallon Park. By 8:30 a.m., Fonder was headed to the fencing venue at Hollins College to make an awards presentation.
Bob Hartman, the Games director, spent the weekend in his own personal road race - between venues. On a couple of occasions, Hartman drove with his wife, Cathy, to a competition site. Hartman became so wrapped up in making sure things were running well that he got back into his car and drove off, leaving his wife behind.
On Monday, the organizers rested and reflected.
"I already have a list of 100 things I want to change for next year," Fonder said. "But that's to be expected. We met our expectations, which was to have participation in 29 sports, and have those people who were here take away positive feelings about both the event and Roanoke. I think we got that.
"With every negative we heard, with every suggestion for next year, it was done with making a correction in mind. It wasn't, `I'm never going to come back again.' "
Fonder said the tabulations on competition continue, but he said more than 4,500 athletes participated in the Virginia CorEast State Games.
Fonder had worried about a controversial conflict with Richmond-based Sports Virginia, which staged its second Virginia State Games a week before the Roanoke competition. "I think the controversy ended up helping us more than it hurt us," Fonder said.
Richmond's Games were dwarfed by the VAS-run Virginia CorEast State Games. Asked if he still wants Gov. Douglas Wilder to sanction the Roanoke event as the state's "official" State Games, Fonder said, "We proved ourselves. We're here. I don't think it matters anymore. People saw what we could do."
A sub-committee of the Governor's Commission on Sports and Fitness was sent to check on the Roanoke event. Among the members who watched the Virginia CorEast State Games was former NBA star Bob Dandridge. Fonder also is a member of the 19-member commission, which is scheduled to meet next month. The issue of competing games could be settled then.
Fonder said VAS will continue to look for other amateur sports events to bring to the Roanoke Valley. Evaluations of the first Virginia CorEast State Games are being made by the sports coordinators and Fonder's staff. Roanoke lawyer Ken King, the VAS board chairman, distributed self-addressed stamped envelopes with evaluation forms to venues and Games coordinators Sunday.
"We've got a good event we can make better," Fonder said.
Those visiting venues during the weekend heard two recurring complaints. Many parents were disappointed at not seeing their sons and daughters in an athletes' parade into Victory Stadium on Friday night. And the way the stadium sound system was set up, athletes could not hear the music and speeches during the ceremony.
There also were complaints at some venues about the manner in which medals were distributed. Having seen the medal-stand shows on Olympic telecasts, some winners and their supporters expected more pomp. "It would be nice to be able to take a picture of the winners together," one parent said Saturday.
Fonder is well aware that the opening ceremonies were filled with emotion, if not organization. He promises better next year. As for whether there will be more sports, he said that decision likely won't be made until the fall, after the sports' national governing bodies put together their '91 schedules.
By moving the State Games up one week, VAS will avoid a conflict with one event, the U.S. Olympic Festival. Several of the state's top athletes were in Minnesota at this year's Festival, which continues through this week.
"I feel good about what we had here because the majority of people feel good about it," Fonder said. "Some people didn't think it would happen, or it wouldn't be this big. The volunteers were great. People from the city and the parks and recreation departments, some of them worked all weekend, and they worked hard and they smiled.
"People were positive. They had fun. They told us, `We'll see you next year.' "
by CNB