Heimbigner earns WSSG Spirit of the Games award

The Washington State Senior Games will recognize Spokane businessman and lifetime athlete Jon Heimbigner in July with its premier “Spirit of the Games” Award.

“Jon Heimbigner exemplifies what hard work, dedication, and leadership mean to team sports,” said Washington State Senior Games President Jack Kiley, when announcing the award last month in Olympia.

“His enthusiasm contributes to the growth of the Games,” Kiley said.

For the past 13 years Heimbigner has traveled annually from Spokane, bringing one or two basketball teams with him to Olympia to compete in the Washington State Senior Games.

In every one of those years, his teams have gone back to Spokane with at least one gold medal – 21 gold and one bronze medal overall.

Back in Spokane, Heimbigner is a sports legend. An Odessa High School athlete who helped bring his school to the State “B” Basketball Tournament in 1966, Heimbigner has immersed himself in both basketball and softball, contributing to the Inland Empire’s growing status as a world-class sports region.

For the past 33 years he has sat on the Spokane Regional Sports Commission Board, and has been inducted into four halls of fame: Inland Empire and Northwest Region Softball Halls of Fame, Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame and the Spokane Falls Community College Hall of Fame.

A practitioner of both personal and team success, it goes without saying that Heimbigner has mastered most elements of discipline, teamwork and the drive to win.

However, at age 63, he is less concerned with racking up personal victories than he is in promoting health, activity, and the spirit of camaraderie offered to anyone at any level through participation in the Washington State Senior Games.

“When you work it right, any team can function like a family,” Heimbigner said. “You need to know your particular role. When everyone plays their role, the team is balanced and playing off its strengths.”

Sports are a way of life to Heimbigner, who was in banking for 21 years, then telecommunications. Staying in shape is important, he says, but so is showing up and being willing to learn and grow.

“I’m part of a senior-age team who plays 18- and 19-year-olds in a 4-on-4 intramural league in Spokane,” Heimbigner said. “We don’t care if the age or skill level matches up – we just want to go out there and have a good time. Being competitive is good, but participating is the first rule of order.”

Heimbigner said that the older one gets, the more one needs to stay in shape. “By staying active, you ward off all those pains and ills that Father Time imparts on a sedentary body.”

A major part of his exercise routine is devoted to weight training and conditioning. “Change doesn’t come easy, but you must take that first step,” Heimbigner said.

Heimbigner’s enthusiasm and leadership has resulted in a higher level of basketball competition in the Washington State Senior Games. He’s also brought nine or more players with him each year, helping to boost attendance and revenue, as well as contributing to the South Sound economy.

“I love the Senior Games,” Heimbigner said. “We always have fun here. We look forward to playing every year.”

At the 2011 Senior Games Athletes Celebration Dinner on July 23, Heimbigner will receive the “Spirit of the Games” Award. He will be honored for his longstanding support and leadership, and for outstanding sportsmanship, including a 66-6 winning record spanning 13 years.

Interested in learning more? Call 360-413-0148 or go online at http://www.pugetsoundgames.com.