POLK SENIOR GAMES FOUNDER

NANCYE THORNBERRY

A resident of Lakeland since 1968, Nancye came up with the idea to start the Games in 1991, after traveling to Syracuse to watch her brother compete in the National Senior Games. Inspired and awestruck by the athletes at the National Senior Games, Nancye came back to Polk County intent on starting senior games in Polk County.

With the support of the Ledger, the County Commission, and Polk County Leisure Services, Nancye formed a board of directors and served as the first president. In the first year, she was also the office staff, the events coordinator, and the registrar with the help of volunteer Sandy Jones. She formed successful partnerships with sponsors such as Barnett Bank, the George Jenkins Foundation (now Publix Super Markets Charities), the James W. Sikes Family, CPS Investment Advisors, and Winter Haven Hospital.

In 1992, the first year of the Polk Senior Games, 777 participants competed in 53 athletic events. Now in its 17th year, the Games had 2,340 participants in 85 events. The Games are now managed by a salaried Executive Director, a fifty member board of directors, and presented in cooperation of over 450 volunteers. Polk Senior Games is the largest of the 20 senior games in Florida.

Nancye is a competitor and has won medals in many events through the years. She still serves on the Board of Directors and is currently on the Special Events and Registration Committees. She also serves as the Event Manager for Senior Smarts, Scrabble, and the Talent Show.

Over the years, Nancye has also served the community as a school teacher and volunteer for numerous organizations. Nancye also served as Executive Director for the Polk Museum of Art, where she in 1974 she founded the Mayfaire-by-the-Lake Arts and Craft Festival, currently celebrating 34th anniversary.

In 2008 Nancye Thornberry was inducted in The Polk County Sports Hall of Fame under the contributors' category for founding The Polk Senior Game and her lifetime acheivements.