Oklahoma native Jim Thorpe left a lasting legacy in the sports world. Recognized for winning gold medals for the pentathlon and decathlon in the 1912 Olympics, Thorpe also played football, basketball and baseball professionally.
To honor one of Oklahoma’s most famous native sons –a member of the Sac and Fox Nation – the third annual Jim Thorpe Games will be held June 8-14 in Shawnee.[pullquote]“Native American communities know the importance and value of supporting healthy lifestyle choices for their youth,”[/pullquote]
Athletes representing more than 70 nations, bands and tribes across the U.S. will converge upon Oklahoma to participate in more than 10 sports. The Jim Thorpe Native American All-Star Football Game will give American Indian high school seniors from Oklahoma the opportunity to compete against one another.
“Native American communities know the importance and value of supporting healthy lifestyle choices for their youth,” says Annetta Abbott, Jim Thorpe Games executive director. “Some of the many benefits of the games include promoting leadership development, increasing cultural awareness and, most importantly, motivating young people to achieve great things. Our young people are not only the leaders of the future; they are the leaders of today.”
According to Abbott, one male athlete and one female athlete participating in this year’s games will each receive a $2,500 scholarship. For more information on this year’s games, visit www.jimthorpegames.com.
