Utah Games commence 20th edition

When Cedar City mayor and former Southern Utah University President Gerald R. Sherratt looks at the success of the Utah Summer Games now, he is seeing what he envisioned 20 years ago when the games first began — and he couldn't be happier.

"It pleases me immensely, I must say," said Sherratt, who along with a group of Cedar City townspeople helped turn the idea into a huge success. "It's been fun watching it over the years."

Tonight's opening ceremonies at the Rice-Eccles Coliseum at SUU will officially open the 20th annual event, although actual competition began June 10. Closing ceremonies are set for June 25, but competition will conclude the following day.

In 1984, the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles were rapidly approaching when Sherratt conceived of the idea.

"We were excited about all of that (the Olympics). We felt and annual Olympics would be great for Utah and particularly for those sports that never have their day in the sun."

Sherratt visited the Empire State Games in New York City as well as the games in Indiana to get ideas and see how each event functioned.

And when they returned Sherratt said, "We could do better."

"There was a lot of enthusiasm in Cedar City that we could do something for the state and do it well," he said. "When we first started, our facilities were limited. In 20 years, we have facilities equal to anyone."

The USG hit a couple hurdles in the early stages and officials postponed the first Games by a year to allow for renovation of the football stadium.

In 1986, the Games commenced with 15 sports and 746 athletes from 27 of Utah's 29 counties represented. Peter Vidmar , captain of the 1984 USA Gold Medal Gymnastics team, was the first master of ceremonies.

"We were ambitious our first year and had opening and closing ceremonies," Sherratt recalled.

Now, more than 50 events are contested, with more than 8,000 athletes representing all 29 counties and 170 municipalities. On average, 70 percent of the athletes live north of Nephi.

"Our idea was to put together a sports festival that would give everyone throughout the state the opportunity to come," Sherratt said.

Cowboy action shooting, paintball, power lifting and soccer (adult 3-on-3) were added this year.

"What I like about it is it's a family event," Sherratt said. "It's not just the athletes. They bring their parents and siblings and they sit and cheer."

The idea of a family event is realized in soccer. More than 200 youth soccer teams are registered for the Games this year — a USG record, and the tournament is the largest single soccer tournament in the state.

Sherratt and current USG director Kyle Case, who is in his second year as the director, can see the USG continuing for another 20 years.