Oklahoma: A Story Through Her People

Due to the leadership and assistance provided
by the CVB, in cooperation with local tribal
nations, the Jim Thorpe Games came to Shawnee
in June 2014. The event drew thousands of
folks to the community and surrounding areas.
An estimated 1,600 Native athletes converged
on our community for the competition held
throughout the week of June 8-14. representing
more than seventy Native American Nations.
Kinlee Farris spent many hours working with
people both locally and outside the city to bring
the games here. Bringing the games to Shawnee
from Oklahoma City where it’s been hosted the
past couple of years shows the cooperation it took
from many entities and the many hours Farris Opening ceremonies for the Jim Thorpe Native American Games, that moved to Shawnee in June 2014.
spent working with them. The games featured PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE SHAWNEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
eleven sports and this year in addition to those
an Oklahoma Native American High School Football Game was held. Among the sports included were tennis, softball, basketball, golf,
track and field, cross country, wrestling, stickball exhibition, martial arts, beach volleyball and lacrosse exhibition.
As Farris explained what really made bringing the games here possible was “Our community stepped up to the plate. Without
our partners it would not have been possible.” Executive director of the Jim Thorpe Native American Games is Annetta Abbott.
Sheelaborated also on what made bringing the games to the Shawnee community possible. “I want to thank Oklahoma Baptist University
and we are very excited about the facilities. We were able to play an All-Star football game, track and field, beach volleyball, and
basketball here,” she said. “Without the partnership that we have formed with Brian Morris and the athletic staff at OBU that would not
be possible. One of the key factors in moving the games to Shawnee, was having a place to really host all of the events,” she said.
Other key venues for the games included St. Gregory’s University, Gordon Cooper Technology Center, FireLake Arena, FireLake
Ballfields, Firelake Golf Course, and Shawnee High School. When Farris was approached by Abbott in the fall of 2013 about relocating
the games to Shawnee as early as June 2014, Farris took the lead in visiting with the key partners to make the games possible.
An additional benefit to having the games at the various venues in the community is the economic impact. This is just another
positive for Shawnee and the community which welcomed the athletes and the people they brought with them.
The Shawnee Trail Days Festival was another new event scheduled right behind the Jim Thorpe Games. The CVB partnered with
Safe Events for Families, and the event spanned over parts of three days and two nights.
-Mike McCormick
Shawnee Convention & Visitors Bureau
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