55-plus set engages in high-level volleyball

By Nancy Haus

“You don’t stop playing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop playing.” This is the motto of the Empire State Senior Games. Pretty powerful stuff, isn’t it?

Karen Wilkins is an ultrasonographer who some might consider a “baby boomer” or a “senior citizen,” just because she’s over 55.

In Wilkins’ spare time, she likes to have “fun,” which, for her, translates into playing volleyball.

“Being happy and having fun helps you live longer,” says Karen. These days, this philosophy has been adopted by millions of people, young and old alike.

For three years, she’s played on an “over 55” volleyball team at Jordan Middle School. Typically, they practice once a week from 7:30-10 p.m.

That means fitting in as many games as they can during that two-and-a-half-hour time slot.
There are seven girls on the team called the Whatt Knots. Initially, Wilkins’ primary goal was to stay in shape, but as time progressed, and she realized how much fun playing volleyball was, her competitive spirit set in, and she was hooked.

Actually, Wilkins has been playing volleyball in some shape or form and in one place or another since high school. In fact, two other members of the Whatt Knotts team played along with Wilkins on the same high school varsity volleyball team at Cato-Meridian High School.

This year became an extraordinarily special one for the team when it elected to compete at the Empire State Senior Games.

“It’s hard to believe how competitive people over 50 can be,” says Wilkins. With that decision, it meant that the team could look forward to lots of practice and hard work, accompanied by lots of fun and laughs.

The Empire State Senior Games is an organized sports and leisure program for New York state residents who turn 50 and older by Dec. 31 of the year in which the games they’re competing in take place. These games are also the only New York state qualifier for the National Senior Sports Classic being presented by Humana set for Aug. 1-15 in Palo Alto, Calif.

This year, SUNY Cortland was the site for the 27th annual games held in early June, that attracted nearly 2,000 athletes, guests, and friends from across New York state.

Athletes participated in more than 20 competitive sports and recreational events. Also featured were instructional clinics, informational exhibits, and educational seminars.

Each evening featured an informal social event planned specifically for the games’ participants. These included a special torch lighting ceremony, dinners, and dancing to the sounds of popular local bands.

The senior games were created with specific goals in mind:

• To encourage fitness as a life-long activity
• To combine sports and games with fitness, fun, and fellowship
• To provide recreational opportunities
• To promote a positive public image of seniors

The central location, size, enthusiastic attitude, and supportive community contribute to making this an exciting event.

Competitive sports as diverse as archery and triathalon, golf, horseshoes, and “pickle ball” are presented.
Wilkins says, “the nominal fee of $25 per person to register, plus additional costs for some sports and activities, is money well spent.”

Seniors are divided by gender into five-year age categories beginning at ages 50-54 up to 100-plus.

The Empire State Senior Games adheres to rules and reserves the right to combine age groups when there is an insufficient number of competitors in an age category to compete.  Athletes may compete in a lower age group but not in a higher age group.

In team sports, like volleyball, individual players may play in only one age group and may appear on only one team roster. The age category of a team is determined by the youngest player on the team roster.

“Those participating in the senior games are role models for all of the 3.2 million older New Yorkers and aging Baby Boomers,” said Michael Burgess, director of the New York State Office for the Aging. “These active and engaged older New Yorkers demonstrate that a healthy and involved lifestyle opens countless opportunities to live an enriched life in later years.”

He also recognized the excellent organizational support provided by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The Whatt Knotts wound up playing seven games and getting into the quarterfinals.  In fact, they took home the gold but, as Wilkins explains, “it was because there was no one left to play in that class.” When they weren’t playing, they were required to work the lines for the referees, and help with scorekeeping.

Wilkins said it was ironic that they played against a team named, “Just In Time,” with a team member who’ll turn 80 years old this fall.

A 95-year-old senior at the games, named Margaret, was heard to claim, “The secret to living longer is to have friends who are younger. And now that I’m 95, I have no choice.”

She says she stays young by hanging out with 20 year olds—and by keeping her sense of humor sharp.
Happiness comes in many forms. For Wilkins, it’s volleyball that brings a smile to her face, and fun, and happiness into her life.