Corporate games kick off in Cape Girardeau

Working hard, or hardly working? Local businesspeople will step out of their offices to compete in the 5th Annual Corporate Games this month. The competition, set for Sept. 14-26, features opening and closing ceremonies, a banner contest, and more than 20 games. The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the event each year, recruiting teams from businesses communitywide.

"I think the biggest thing here is encouraging camaraderie," says Kaed Horrell of the Parks and Recreation Department. "Of course there's the competition to prove your health and fitness, but it's also important to build camaraderie within each of the organizations."

For the first time ever, this year's games will include a tennis doubles match. Some returning favorites are horseshoes, poker, bowling, trivia night, basketball, soccer, washers, darts, relay races, swimming and dodge ball. Another hit making a comeback is the mystery event, which, as tradition goes, will not be revealed until game time. According to Horrell, the mystery event is something simple and fun, but different from the usual sports activities. One year, for example, it was a karaoke contest.

Businesses compete in three divisions: Division I for businesses of 100 employees or more; Division II for businesses of 26-99; and Division III for businesses of 25 of fewer. Points are awarded based on whether teams place first, second or third in each game for their division. At the end of the games, the team with the most points in each division wins the Corporate Cup for that division. The prized Corporate Cup, which displays a nameplate for each team that has won it in the past, is given to the winning team to display at its business until next year's Corporate Games. Last year's winners were Procter & Gamble (light blue team) for Division I; Medassets for Division II; and lawyers for Division III. All three teams have signed up to compete again this year.

"It's a lot of fun and it brings the employees together, us against the world," says Doug Dickerson of Medassets. The company participates in all events and has won the Corporate Cup for three of the five years it has competed. This year, though, Medassets will face tougher competition as it moves up to Division I with more employees participating than ever before. Some of the company favorites include softball and flag football.

"It's always a great event, and I think this is a great thing that the Parks District does for businesses every year," adds Dickerson.

The Corporate Games were a brainchild of the area hospitals several years ago, and were later taken on by Scott Williams and Penny Williams of the Parks and Recreation Department. It took them two years to plan and organize the revamped games, which clearly have been a huge success.

"We all have a great time doing this," says Gail Conrad, who competes with the City of Cape Girardeau. "It brings employees together who might not see or work together on a daily basis. They might not otherwise have met because they work in different departments. Everyone has a very good time each year."

This will be the third year that the city team has participated in the Corporate Games. Conrad says that each employee has his or her own favorite activity, ranging from volleyball to tug of war. The City of Cape Girardeau, competing in Division I, is one of the biggest teams and participates in all events.

The Corporate Games are open to spectators, whether friends, family, coworkers or community members. For a complete list of activities and locations, visit www.cityofcapegirardeau.org or call the parks and recreation department at (573) 335-5421.