Radford University men’s basketball coach Mike Jones was the speaker at the New River Valley’s Senior Olympics held Monday at the Christiansburg Recreation Center.
Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Over 100 athletes participated in this week’s 2018 New River Valley Senior Olympics held at fields and facilities throughout the area.
Events like horseshoes, track and field, bocce ball, basketball and skeet shooting brought those over the age of 50 together for both fun and physical activity.
Radford University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Jones served as the opening day guest speaker during a luncheon at the Christiansburg Recreation Center.
Jones, who recently guided the Highlanders to a Big South Conference tournament title and the school’s first win ever in the NCAA tournament, encouraged the athletes not to worry about winning medals but to have fun.
“As you grow older, remaining active is important,” he said.
Jones’ “pep talk” included some friendly competitive reminders, or as he called them, manners.
“There will be no cursing, no spitting or fighting. If you win a medal along the way, that’s nice. Also, please be nice to the referees and officials. They have a tough job, and I learned to be a little nicer to them this basketball season, and it seemed to help,” he joked.
The New River Valley Senior Games were organized by the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department. The annual event helps prepare competitors to participate at the state level in the Virginia Senior Games, where they have an opportunity to qualify for the National Senior Games.
The New River Valley Senior Games follow state rules and offer a variety of athletic and social events. In years past, there have been participants from Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties, Radford and Wytheville.
Final results will be available next week.
