NSG Medal Podium

In 1989, the inaugural year of the Nutmeg State Games, I participated on the East Region Men's Masters Basketball Team.  If you don't think the experience from being apart of such games is ever-lasting to a young person - let me tell you.  During that Summer countless young men competed for spots in intense tryouts, and 10 guys who were good enough to represent the region went on to play in the tournament against some of the best talent in the State of Connecticut.  We, the East Region, won gold medals that year - as well as a few additional years after that, and now over 25 years later, I still have the gold medals, the unforgetable memories of coming together as a team to win, and the development lessons around getting along with teammates, opponents, execution of a well designed game strategy, and maintaining self-control while under pressure, that I held on too all these years and continue to draw from to this day.  Though there is no longer a Master's bracket in basketball, the Nutmeg State Games continues to provide life-altering athletic development, competition, and personal growth opportunities for young people of all ages; arguably not otherwise found in the State of Connecticut.  I encourage all young people to give the Nutmeg State Games a try.

Paul Bowles; 1989 East Region Men's Master's Basketball Gold Medal Team Winner