30 Year History

 A LOOK BACK

• 1979 – Simplot takes over financial sponsorship of the Bennion Games
• 1984 – High jumper Lisa Bernhagen of Hailey, Idaho, sets Games’ first National    Record
• 1985 – Simplot hires its first Meet Director and takes on entire responsibility.
• 1985 – Computers are used for the first time to run the meet.
• 1988 – Simplot Games celebrates 10^th Anniversary with introduction of 1^st  Commemorative Pin.
• 1994 – adidas joins the Simplot Games as an official sponsor
• 1995 — Olympians Florence Griffith Joyner (FloJo) & Al Joyner make their first appearance at the Games
• 1997 – Games website (www.simplotgames.com) goes online
• 1998 – J. R. Simplot receives the first “Pacesetter” award from USA Track &  Field
• 1999 – First use of the “Big Screen” in Holt Arena to pay tribute to the memory of FloJo, who passed away in 1998.
• 2000 & 2001 – USATF brings its professional meet to the Simplot Games.  Stacy Dragila set a world record in the Pole Vault in 2000 and broke it (twice) in 2001.
• 2003 – Begins On-Line Registration
• 2008 – Simplot Games celebrates 30 Years; J.R.Simplot passes away on May 25, 2008, at the age of 99.
• 2009 – “Spirit of the Games Award” to honor J.R. Simplot is presented to Olympian Dick Fosbury, Honorary Chairman of the Simplot Games