BOSTON – During a special ceremony held at Fenway Park on Thursday evening, Boston running legend Dave McGillivray was inducted into the Bay State Games Hall of Fame. The Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation honored McGillivray for his role in the creation of the Games and his contributions to amateur sports in the state throughout his career in the sporting events industry.
“I’ve made so many memories here at Fenway, and receiving this honor from the Bay State Games adds another to the list,” said McGillivray. “Growing up in Massachusetts, especially here in Boston, inspired me to pursue a life dedicated to sports. The Bay State Games is something I’m proud to have been a part of helping create, and youth in our state are fortunate to have such an outstanding place to show up, dream big, compete, and learn the valuable lessons for life that sports teach us!”
“The Hall of Fame was created in 2001 to recognize Bay State Games athletic alumni who have gone onto successful collegiate, professional, or Olympic careers as well as coaches, officials and sports organizers that have made significant contributions to the organization,” said Kevin Cummings, executive director of the Bay State Games. “As one of the founders of the Bay State Games in 1982, a former board member and longtime supporter of the organization, Dave is truly deserving of this award and we are honored to induct him into the 2023 Class of the Bay State Games Hall of Fame.”
In 1982, McGillivray served on the Governor’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. During his tenure on the council, he was a part of the team that developed the first Bay State Games, which was meant to bring a statewide summer sports festival to Massachusetts.
The first Bay State Games were held in 1982. Both a Summer and Winter edition of the Games are held annually. More than 7,000 athletes from 30 different sports come together to compete during the events. Participants in the Games have gone on to great acclaim and fame over the last four decades. Their list of notable alumni includes Reggie Lewis, Nancy Kerrigan, and many more. The foundation also presents programming across the state including the Future Leaders Scholarship program, the Kristian Rose Memorial Scholarship, the Adopt an Athlete Program, the High School Ambassador Program, a Sports Medicine Symposium, Athlete of the Year Award, and the Bay State Games Hall of Fame.
ABOUT DAVE MCGILLIVRAY
Running legend Dave McGillivray has increased the self-esteem of millions of people through his work as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, author, and athlete. Dave is best known for his athletic feats including his 80-day trek across the United States, running the 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass. in the summer of 1978 to benefit the Jimmy Fund. In addition, he’s received great acclaim for directing or consulting on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games.