COMMONWEALTH GAMES' DONATIONS INCREASING

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 8, 1993                   TAG: 9304080115
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
COMMONWEALTH GAMES' DONATIONS INCREASING
One of the Commonwealth Games of Virginia's weakest vital signs a year ago - money - seems to be stabilizing as the Games' fourth edition nears.
Roanoke-based Virginia Amateur Sports will announce a $25,000 contribution from NationsBank today that will fatten VAS' pocketbook 3 1/2 months before it puts on the 1993 Games in July. More than 6,000 athletes are expected to participate in the 37-sport Olympic-style festival held mostly in the Roanoke Valley.
Last year, financial problems led to front-office turnover, and the budget was slashed. This year, however, VAS' bank account appears healthier. In addition to NationsBank's contribution, Mobil Oil has doubled its sponsorship to $50,000, and Del. Richard C. Cranwell (D-Vinton) has ushered through the General Assembly $75,000 in state money for the Games - $25,000 more than last year.
"We've been a major sponsor because the Games have grown considerably in a short lifetime," said Marilyn Gould, community affairs adviser for Mobil. "It attracts athletes from all ages from all over the state."
The additional funds more than cover the loss of $10,000 contributor Coca-Cola.
"It really has helped us," VAS executive director Pete Lampman said. "We might be able to provide a little more perks for the athletes."
The '92 Games received about $185,400 in corporate, public and private support; VAS is expecting $253,500 this year. VAS, trying to balance its budget, still is paring some operating costs. Lampman said this year's Games budget, $211,500, is $22,500 less than in '92.
Lampman said cash flow, normally a problem with VAS because it relies heavily on when a sponsor pays up, is "pretty steady right now. We're finally in pretty sound shape as far as being able to order and spend."
In other Games notes:
Lampman said the National Congress of State Games has renewed for three years the VAS sanction as the organizer of the official state games in Virginia.
The 37 scheduled sports include some new offerings such as cross country, disc golf, race walking, roller skating and "ultimate frisbee." However, gymnastics is not offered for the second straight year, and there is no open or ABC swim meet.
Competition in Lynchburg - senior golf, roller skating, girls volleyball and race walking - is the beginning of what VAS hopes will grow into full-fledged regional competition that will feed into a finals event in Roanoke. "It may be a ways down the road, but it's something that will eventually happen," Lampman said. One sport, karate, will be held in Portsmouth.
The Games will include some competition (roller skating, possibly track and field and basketball) by Special Olympics participants, and may include a wheelchair basketball exhibition or tournament as a way to get more people involved, Lampman said.
The cities of Roanoke and Salem, and Roanoke County, will combine to contribute $70,000 plus free use of some facilities, and Lampman said a couple of Roanoke city and county Parks and Recreation staffers are on VAS' Local Organizing Committee - an extension of the manpower help offered last year by the localities.
Holiday Inn-Tanglewood, radio station K-92 and Domino's Pizza remain corporate sponsors donating at least $10,000 in cash or in-kind services; last year, Lampman said, K-92 promoted the games on the air - almost $15,000 worth of air time that didn't cost VAS.
VAS estimates that 6,822 athletes will participate this summer, based on last year's numbers and a survey of sports coordinators. VAS' official count last year was 6,455. "It's optimistic," Lampman said of this year's projection.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB