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Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), a department of the Madison
Metropolitan School District, played an instrumental role in the expansion efforts.
Prior to 1989, an advisory/steering committee was responsible for setting up and
conducting the Games. After the 1988 Games, it was decided to form a Board of
Directors representing the areas of expertise needed to guide the additional
workload. In 1988, the elected (and selected) first Board of Directors chose Chad
Thom/MSCR as their President.
Also in 1989, Jill Kranz, Director of the Middleton Senior Center, was presented
the State of Wisconsin Assembly Citation for emotional and leadership support to the
Senior Games since 1986, and for her role in expansion of the Games from Middleton to
all of Dane County.
In 1990, the Senior Games expanded from one city to nine sites and participation
increased 500 percent. Two days of games had become a week long event. New sites
included Belleville, De Forest, Madison, Monroe, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Oregon and
Verona.
In 1992, Dane County Senior Olympic Games were held in conjunction with the Adult
Day Care Centers Senior Olympic Day, adding 200 to 300 new participants. McFarland
and Fitchburg communities were also added to the Dane County Senior Olympic Games
list of participating sites.
In 1993, twenty-six separate events were offered. Over the years, events were
added or deleted as interests changed.
An Executive Director was hired for the first time in 1995 to help with the year
round planning process.
In 1997, the age limit for participation was lowered from 55+ to 50+.
In 1999, Dane County Senior Olympic Games became Wisconsin Senior Games to
encourage and increase participation from outside Dane County. There was no
residency requirement and out-of-state individuals and teams were eligible to compete
as was the case in previous years. This still holds true today.
In 2008, Wisconsin Senior Games will mark the 25th consecutive year the Senior
Games have been offered since its inception in 1983 in Middleton.
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