Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation is proud to announce that UW Hockey stars and siblings, Adam and Nikki Burish have been named Badger State Games co-Honorary Athletes. Also honored this year are co-Volunteers of the Year Gina and Dale Bauer, of Mazomanie. Both will be present at the Badger State Games Opening Ceremony on June 23, 2006.

The Burish siblings have had plenty to celebrate this Spring, with both of them being part of the UW's National Championship Hockey teams. But it took years of work to get there. Passion, determination, hundreds of hours on the ice, and countless tournaments since they began playing got them where they are today. Many of those tournaments were the Badger State Games.

Both Adam and Nikki Burish have participated in the Games as youth players in both ice hockey and roller hockey. "It was the biggest tournament you went to as a youth player. I always enjoyed the Opening Ceremony. It felt like the Olympics at a local level. It just adds so much to the atmosphere of the whole weekend," stated Nikki.

Adam shared her thoughts, "There were so many people and so much excitement. That's an awesome feeling for a kid to experience."

The Badger State Games are open to all ages and abilities allowing adults to actively participate in their life long passions, as well as giving our youth an opportunity to get involved in the activities that they love.

The Burish siblings will lead the Athlete Parade at the start of the Opening Ceremony and will light the torch to kick off the Games.=20

Also honored at the Ceremony will be Dale and Gina Bauer of Mazomanie, the 2006 Volunteers of the Year. They have been volunteering at the Shotgun Shooting events since 1992 when their son began competing.

"Our son is now married and hasn't competed at BSG for several years, but there is a big need for volunteers, and we enjoy promoting the sport by working this event."

Both Dale and Gina take vacation days from work to help out with the shoots. While they have different responsibilities at the games, they work within close 'range' of each other.

It is no wonder shotgun shooting commissioner Larry Powers raves about these two. Not only are they unselfish with their time, they are good at what they do. "The thing about Dale and Gina is that they are cool under fire. Scoring and scheduling a shotgun shooting event that attracts nearly 500 competitors and is a pressure-packed responsibility. They are both extremely organized and efficient."

For more scheduling information and to register for the 2006 Summer Games, log on to www.badgerstategames.org or call 608-226-4780.

The Badger State Summer Games major sponsors include American Family Insurance, Charter Communications, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, with special thanks to TravelWisconsin.com.

Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation is a nonprofit sports management organization that helps develop sports tourism in Wisconsin and promotes positive lifestyles and physical fitness through amateur athletic events and health education programs. WSDC owns the Badger State Games, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Sports Foundation, Paddle & Portage, Shape Up Wisconsin Kids, Lighten Up Wisconsin and the Fit Kids Challenge. WSDC is also the local host of Ironman Wisconsin.