Empire State Games Committee to hold press conference at SUNY New Paltz

NEW PALTZ — The State University of New York at New Paltz will host a press conference for the Empire State Games Committee at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 8, at the campus’ College Terrace Restaurant. The event is open to the public.

The group will announce important information regarding volunteer and fundraising efforts for the Summer Games and will answer questions about the event, which will take place throughout the Hudson Valley July 27-31.

College president Steven Poskanzer will welcome those in attendance, and members of the SUNY New Paltz Empire State Games Committee will also be available for comment.

The Summer Games feature more than 6,000 athletes, representing six regions from across the state, participating in 25 different Olympic-style sports. The athletes compete in either the scholastic, open or masters division. The five-day event normally generates an economic impact upwards of $8 million for the local economy and attracts more than 15,000 visitors.

Events will take place in Dutchess and Ulster counties, primarily at SUNY New Paltz, Marist College, Vassar College and Mount Saint Mary College. SUNY New Paltz has agreed to house 2,000 athletes in its residence halls and will host boxing and synchronized swimming in the Elting Gym, use various fields for archery and the tennis courts for tennis.

Off campus sports venues held nearby include: Fencing and Weightlifting – New Paltz High School; Swimming – Ulster County Pool, New Paltz; Track and Field – Arlington High School, Poughkeepsie; Wrestling – Hudson Valley Sports Dome, Milton.

To sign up to be a volunteer in support of the Empire State Games staff for a particular sporting event, call the CellularOne Volunteer Hotline at (845) 505-GAME (4263).

For more information about the Empire State Games on the SUNY New Paltz campus, visit www.newpaltz.edu/empiregames.