Empire State Games Axed Again

For the second time in the last three years, the Empire State Games have been canceled, according to multiple sources.

The Games were scheduled to take place in Lake Placid this winter and in Rochester in the summer.

"It is with great regret and sadness that I must inform you of the cancellation of the 2011 Empire State Games programs," Winter Games administrator Lisa Del Signore wrote in a letter to ESG officials and athletes obtained by the Poughkeepsie Journal, who originally reported on the cancellation of the games. "We have been informed that there will be no appropriation for any of the Empire State Games programs in the coming year, and two of our five staff members have been laid off effective the end of the year. With no money and no staff, we have no program. Perhaps in the future the economic climate will improve and the Games will experience a rebirth. For now I thank you for all your hard work, your dedication and support."

According to the Journal, the Games' website was taken offline on Tuesday afternoon.

With a $9 billion budget gap at the state level, funding for amateur athletics is not high on the priority list. The Games were also cancelled in 2009 for the same financial issues.

"It's a sad day for all of the amateur athletes in the state of New York," said Jay Mauro, who coached Long Island to a gold medal in lacrosse last summer and is the head coach at Sachem North. "It was a great way for our lacrosse players here on Long Island to get recruited, compete against some of the best lacrosse players on Long Island, in New York and the country. The friendships and memories last a lifetime. There is nothing like walking into the stadium for the opening ceremony or winning the gold medal on Sunday afternoon."

Ward Melville boys' lacrosse coach Mike Hoppey said the cancellation of the games means athletes will experience less exposure to college programs, as college coaches would often attend the Empire State Games tryouts for recruiting purposes.

"What it will hurt are the kids who go through the tryout process but don't make the team," Hoppey said. "They get a chance to play in front of college coaches. They get a lot of exposure that way."

The last time the Games were canceled, Hoppey was part of a group of coaches who organized a Long Island lacrosse showcase series for seniors, juniors and sophomores. They continued the showcase this past year even though the Games took place.

"I would imagine if they don't have a change of heart, ... if it is canceled permamently, then the coaches will step in and run the showcase again," he said.

Del Ross, a coach and coordinator with the Three Village Lacrosse Club, said the move would affect all sports and called for local politicians to come to bat for the Games.

"I think it very sad that our (local) youth are penalized by not having these games due to budget/financial issues," he said. "These games have been around for years and many aspire to make this elite team. Unfortunately this is the easy way out." 

According to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, the summer games earned an economic impact of $10 million to $12 million in the Rochester area when played there in 2006.

The Democrat & Chronicle also reported that Rochester mayor and Lt. Gov.-elect Robert Duffy said it was premature for him to offer an outlook on the future of the games under Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo.

"I can't offer a definitive answer today but am certain that the incoming administration will revisit this decision after Jan. 1," he said.

Patch.com left a message with Bob Kenney, the Long Island Regional Director of the Games.

Patch.com will update this story with more information when available.

Christine Sampson contributed to this report.