By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
April 16, 2003
The 2003 State Games of Mississippi announced its sponsors for the 12th edition of the Games at a press conference Tuesday at the Meridian Community College track and soccer complex.
State Games Director April Luke and Markerting and Public Relations Director Leah Reed announced the sponsors for the annual games, which is the state's only Olympic-style athletic festival.
Chief Phillip Martin was represented at the conference by Gilbert Thompson. Thompson said the State Games are a prime example of benefitting the area's population.
The continued growth of the Choctaw's Pearl River Resort has made it necessary for the tribe to associate with family-type activities that encompass the Meridian and East Mississippi area.
Luke highlighted the growth of the State Games which began in 1992. Meridian has hosted all 11 previous events.
The State Games will open in early June with a kayak bialthon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Another new feature is the Games have turned the Mountain Bike event into a series of three races throughout the state.
The State Games opening ceremonies will be held on June 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Ray Stadium on the campus of Meridian High School.
Competition will run on June 20-21 and June 26-29.
The State Games also recognized its other sponsors and thanked the companies and or organizations for their continued support.
The Gold sponsors include Rush Foundation Hospital, Meridian Coca-Cola, Bell South and the Partnership For a Healthy Mississippi.
Silver sponsors are AmSouth National Bank, AmTrak Crescent, AllTel, Blue Cross, Blue Shield; Cingular Wireless, City of Meridian, Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, Meridian Community College, Mississippi Power Company, and Structural Steel Services, Inc.
Bronze sponsors are A&B Electric, Trustmark National Bank, Tennessee Valley Authority and for the first-time Holiday Inn Express/Quality Inn, Montana's, Crescent City Grill, Bonita Lakes Mall, Insurance Solutions, ABL Management and Southern Link.
Finally the Torchbearer sponsors include the Meridian Kiwanis Club, Meridian Rotary Club, Mississippi Valley Gas, Ralph Morgan Logging, Inc., Rush Medical Group, Union Planters Bank, Chick-fil-A, Community Bank and first-time sponsors Lockheed Martin and Mitchell Companies.