The Iowa Games kicked off on Friday night with an opening ceremony package that included a fireworks display, as well as a keynote speech by Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly.

Jim Hallahan, executive director of the Iowa Games, said he wanted the ceremony to give the state’s athletes an opportunity to experience what other Olympians go through.

“There’s 40 states that are actively having state games,” Hallahan said.

“Not many of us make it to the big Olympics, so it’s those people’s chance to be an Olympic athlete in their own state.”

The evening started off with an introduction of the participants in this weekend’s Shrine Bowl football game. Consisting of the best high school football players in the state, the group ushered the athletes partaking in the games.

Both squads from the North and South walked in front of the crowd at Jack Trice Stadium, the site of next week’s game, before making it to their seats.

Steve Wagner, a defensive tackle from Harlan, said he appreciated the opportunity to be part of the ceremonies.

“It feels pretty good to be recognized by all these people out here,” Wagner said.

After the football players took their seats, the athletes themselves walked into the stadium.

Hallahan introduced each entering group to the fans seated in the stadium.

Olympic fanfare music provided the background for the athlete introductions.

Jared Carroll, a player on Minden’s U-12 soccer team, said that his team had been preparing for this event for quite a while.

“It’s been about a year,” he said.

“We played our regular season in the spring and fall and we kept practicing from that.”

Kaylee Christensen traveled from Saydel to compete with her basketball team last weekend.

She said that it was exciting that her team was representing her town in the games. However, walking in front of the crowd at the opening ceremonies was a different story.

“It was scary,” she said. “It was freaky.”

After all of the athletes had been introduced and seated came the singing of the national anthem as skydivers entered the stadium.

The last one, ISU skydiving instructor Hashem Hashemi Toroghi, had the American flag draped from his feet.

The festivities continue with a welcome from new ISU president Gregory Geoffroy, as well as a speech by Wade Lookingbill to introduce the Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship awards.

The scholarship, which honors the former Iowa State player and Morningside head coach, is given to incoming high school seniors who demonstrate the values that Pearson showed during his lifetime.

This year’s recipients of the award were Marshalltown’s Beth Michael and Mark Boehm of Ogden.

“It means a lot,” Boehm said of receiving the award.

“When I was a little kid, I looked up to guys like Pearson and followed their basketball team.”

Boehm, who plays four sports at school, got to sit on stage with Pearson’s parents during the ceremony.

He said he appreciated the opportunity to talk with them and receive the award.

“It was an honor to meet them,” he said.

“I know how much it means to them, and I’m glad that I can represent Brian.”

Fennelly then took the stage to deliver a speech to an organization that he said “prides itself in excellence in every way”.

The coach’s basic theme was for athletes to show appreciation to the people who helped them get where they are now.

For emphasis, he spoke briefly about the Oklahoma State plane crash that killed ten people last winter, including members of the basketball staff.

After the coach’s speech, more awards were presented for the volunteer and officials of the year.

The last awardees to be recognized were the 2000 Iowa Games Athletes of the Year.

Melvin Larsen of Ames and Nichole DeKlotz of Cedar Rapids held the small lit torch in front of the crowd of spectators while being recognized by master of ceremonies Larry Morgan.

DeKlotz, a high school swimmer, won seven gold medals at the 2000 games.

Larsen won three golds at last year’s event at the age of 76. He was also named the 1999 National Master’s Male Athlete of the Year and currently holds several age-group world records.

The Ames resident was overwhelmed being named to this honor. After being introduced for his accomplishments, the crowd gave Larsen a standing ovation.

“It probably is beyond what I ever expected,” he said.

“Standing in front of all of those athletes is something that you can’t explain. They are great, and I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.”

Even though he is 77, Larsen still loves going out and competing. It’s not as easy an effort as it used to be, though.

“It gets a little bit harder all the time, but at the same time, I enjoy the competition,” he said.

“I’m very fortunate in most instances to win, but there’s times I don’t and that’s all in good friendship. The idea of just being there is the most important thing.”

While DeKlotz and Larsen ran to light the official torch, Fennelly led the Oath of Athletes, which was followed by the Oath of the Parents and Coaches.

After the torch for the games was lit, a fireworks display ended the evening and started the games.

Hallahan, a former ISU assistant basketball coach, stresses that the event is more than a showcase for athletics.

“We expect good sportsmanship and want the coaches and parents to be role models,” he said.

“It’s much more than an athletic competition. It’s a chance to help young people become good citizens.”