News

Enshrinement in Columbia: Ken Ash, executive director of Show-Me State Games

© Jarrad Henderson, 2010. 2010-2011 Gary Filbert Ceremony.

The numbers paint an incredible picture of the Show-Me State Games: 25,000-plus; $619 million; $1.4 million. In order, that’s roughly the average number of participants every summer since 2004; the Games’ economic impact on Columbia in its 31-year history; and the non-profit’s annual budget.

Certainly, Ken Ash, the executive director of the Show-Me State Games since 2002 and on staff since 1989, has reason to be proud of the highly lauded Olympic-style sports festival.

However, if you ask Ash, the numbers aren’t nearly as meaningful as the positive impact sports, and by extension the Show-Me State Games, have on young and old. Simply put – they build life skills.

“I love sports,” Ash said. “I always felt I gained a lot by playing sports because it grew my discipline, and the ability to work with others and the community, and that led to teamwork.”

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to recognize his own teamwork and leadership of the Show-Me State Games by inducting Ash in the Class of 2015. The ceremony is Sunday, Nov. 15 as the Hall names Mizzou’s Jon Sundvold a Missouri Sports Legend and inducts 14 other individuals. A noon reception and 1 p.m. dinner are scheduled at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. For tickets, call 417-889-3100.

Ash family

Since taking over for Missouri Sports Legend Gary Filbert, the Show-Me State Games have retained their prestige under Ash’s leadership.

While other similar state games have struggled or folded, Ash has expanded the coalition of sponsors, volunteers and athletes to make it the largest sporting event of its kind.

In fact, none other than Sports Illustrated featured the Show-Me State Games in 2003, calling the organization more organized than the 2000 Salt Lake Olympics. ESPN.com included the Show-Me State Games in its “101 Things All Sports Fans Must Experience Before They Die.”

In Ash’s era as executive director, he eliminated the regional festival concept and brought all competitions to Columbia, meaning three consecutive weekends of Games. He also stabilized the budget of about $1.4 million annually with long-term sponsorships and entry fees from at least 25,000 participants annually.

Some 42 sports are now contested, including several additions designed to reach all walks of life.

Ash brought none other than boxing great George Foreman to the Show-Me State Games.
Ash brought none other than boxing great George Foreman to the Show-Me State Games.

Not that Ash wants every piece of the credit.

“Gary Filbert had a good plan,” Ash said of his mentor. “He had a lot of contacts across the state. His ability back then to bring in good people was something that really helped the Games and established the Games. Gary was a very good boss and my mentor. I learned a lot from him. And the things I learned from him, I took forward.”

In 1989, Filbert brought Ash on board with this edict: Take notes and report what he thought of the Games.

Ash’s report was brutally honest. Then again, it may have been expected. Ash, a Moberly native who moved to Columbia while in the eighth grade, played baseball for the Mizzou Tigers and later went on to coach basketball at Central Methodist and Pittsburg State (Kan.). In sports, you have to be honest about realities.

“The best thing about it was it was contested,” Ash said of the 1989 Games. “There were a lot of mistakes made, and there weren’t many participants. Only 600 competed. Columbia was expecting 5,000. From my standpoint in 1989, some things were better than others.”

The next year, Filbert named Ash the Game’s full-time competition director and, in 1995, promoted him to associate director. In essence, the two adjusted to realities, made changes and those led to the growth of the Show-Me State Games.

That the Games recently celebrated a 31st year is a testament to Ash and the staff he has assembled, says his successor. Know that Ash made the tough but necessary call a few years ago to eliminate the 10 regional festivals, which had become a financial challenge.

“When you talk about the Show-Me State Games and longevity, it starts with Gary Filbert and Ken Ash,” said Dave Fox, the new executive director of the Show-Me State Games after three years as assistant director. He played for Ash at Central Methodist. “The landscape of youth sports over time has changed, and the Show-Me State Games, with its mission of health, fitness, family and fun, continues to be the largest state games in America.”

Ash in his high school baseball days.
Ash in his high school baseball days.

In retirement, Ash will enjoy more time with his bride, Marie, and their children Kenny, Brian and Corey as well as daughters-in-law April and Lindsay and four grandchildren. He also should know that he left Games in better shape than he found them way back when.

“I really hope so,” said Ash, also an inductee of the Central Methodist Hairston Sports Hall of Fame. “I strengthened the corporate sponsorships, and increased our recognition at a national level. I think we had an influence.”

“It’s been a great run,” Ash added. “I think the Games are in good hands with (Fox), and it’s a great staff, too. I have been fortunate to hire quality people. One thing I know from coaching and 26 years with the Games, when you are surrounded by good people, good things are going to happen.”

…………………………………………….

Want to go?

What: Enshrinement in Columbia Class of 2015 presented by Great Southern Bank and presented by Miller Professional Imaging/Mpix

When: Sunday, Nov. 15 with noon reception, 1 p.m. dinner

Where: Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia

Honorees: As a Missouri Sports Legend, former Mizzou basketball star Jon Sundvold; former University of Missouri athletic director Joe Castiglione; former Mizzou/NFL defensive lineman Jerome Sally; Mizzou basketball great Al Eberhard; equestrian standout and instructor Gayle Lampe; former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Charlie James; longtime Show-Me State Games director Ken Ash; Mizzou team physician and sports medicine leader Dr. Pat Smith; Mizzou and Macon High School cheerleading coach Suzy Thompson; longtime Missouri State High School Activities Association director Jack Miles; Columbia high school tennis coach Ben Loeb; powerlifting champion Kate Walker; former Mizzou golf coach Richard Poe; Olympic race walker Larry Young; former Rock Bridge High School football coach and athletic director John Henage; and Mizzou super fan Alvin “Squeaky” Marquart.

Tickets: $150 each, or $1,500 for tables of 10. Sponsorships, including congratulatory ads in the printed program guide, also are available.

Call: Missouri Sports Hall of Fame at 417-889-3100.