University of Okoboji Winter Games History
1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s
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2010 –
- Chairpersons: John Adams, Jr. and Janelle Holter
- Cheerleaders: Dan Delperdang, Brett Hetland, Jeff Knapp, Di Lorenzen, Joe Meyer, Bob Miller, Stacy Rosemore, Jane Shuttleworth
2011 –
- Chairpersons: Janelle Holter and Jeff Thee
- Cheerleaders: Kathy Lockey, Wayne Northey, Marty Spies, Denny Perry, Walt Homan, Beryl Marra, Jan Bowles, Steve Lindeberg
2012 –
- Okoboji Country Inn hosted the first WG Farkle Tournament
- Guns ‘n Hoses’ inaugural boot hockey tournament
- Chairpersons: Jeff Thee and Erin Roe
- Cheerleaders: Mary Freiborg, Brad & Teresa Beck, Curt Petersen, Molly Sorensen, Shaun Arneson, Mary Treynor, John Senn
- Business Today & Corner Lanes hosted the first indoor U of O Winter Games Bowling Tournament.
- 2012 marked the inaugural Guns ‘n Hoses Boot Hockey Tournament.
2013 –
- Chairpersons: Erin Roe & Jeremy Morrison
- Cheerleaders: Jantina Carney, Jamie Jostand, Jen Johnson, Matt Schmeling, Scott Trautman, Norm Johnson, Rachelle Fratzke & Marlys Nichols.
- First year the Iowa Craft Brew Tent appeared at the games setting up “shop” in the Roof Garden.
2014 –
- Chairpersons: Jeremy Morrison & Alison Schmitz
- Cheerleaders: Jennifer Gustafson, Brian Richter, Gary Rosemore, Lissa Potter, Scott Pyle, Terry Veldman, John Wills & Chris Yungbluth.
- First year of the Brain Freeze Trivia & Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Bierl Carpet One.
- 125 brave souls took the Polar Plunge to raise funds for the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire & Rescue.
- 2014 also marks the first year of the Sled Head Breakfast for the United Methodist Camp.
- First year that the Barefoot Bar/Okoboji Boat Works had a bus transporting people to and from Smith’s Bay back to Parks Marina.
2015 –
- Chairpersons: Alison Schmitz & Nick Stauss
- Cheerleaders: Dan & Jane Hummel, Jim & Marjo Hietbrink, Brent Harris, Dr. Jeff & Ann Goerss & Mary VanderWoude.
- First year of the Human Dog Sled Races at Parks Marina.
- Games were off of the ice due to Mother Nature taking it easy on us.
- Bonfire Web Co. designed the Polar Bear logo.
- First year The Milford Commercial Club hosting their Soup Fest at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
2016 –
- Chairpersons: Nick Stauss & Greta Gruys
- Cheerleaders: Diane Albers, Darcy Albers-Sundall, Jason Harrington, Cindy Mart, Norm Meinking, Dr. Eric & Sally Nielsen & Barry Sackett.
- The 36th Annual U of O Winter Games presented by Parks Marina/Barefoot Bar/Okoboji Boat Works.
- First year of Mega Snow Pong and the Swimsuits & Snow Boots Competition at The Okoboji Store.
- Inaugural Kickball Tournament at The Garden’s in Arnolds Park chaired by Joe Loring.
- Abby Goodenow, an intern at Bonfire Web Co., designed this year’s logo.
2017 –
- Chairpersons: Greta Gruys & Ryan Davelaar
- Cheerleaders: Kevin Bice, Jona Forbes, Bethany Huseman, Gayla and Greg Place, Doug Stuevens, Amy Pas, and Abby Wilson
- The 37th Annual U of O Winter Games presented by Parks Marina/Barefoot Bar/Okoboji Boat Works.
- Tug-a-War, Keg Toss, Water Bottle Flip Competition, Fernson’s Pub Crawl, Bazaar Craft Show, and Bucket Casting Contest are among some of the new events this year.
- Lindie Towne with Web Graphics, Inc. designed this year’s logo.
2018 –
- Chairpersons: Ryan Davelaar & Adelee Dixon
- Cheerleaders: John Hight, Susan Hoien, Brad Price, Al Krueger, Kiley Roth, Ann Meyer, Jim Hussong, and Dee Wermersen.
- Human Bowling, Bowl Hole, Hand Auger Races, Stein Holding Contest among new events this year
- Susan Travis of US Powertrain designed this year’s logo.
2019 –
- Chairpersons: Adelee Dixon & Brent Harris
- Cheerleaders: Lori & George Bower, Lisa Duffy, Abby Goodlaxson, Nate & Greta Gruys, Jill Harms, Dr. Ronald Kolegraff, and Peggy Rick.
- The 39th Annual U of O Winter Games presented by GrapeTree Medical Staffing.
- Kite Festival, Comedy Shows, Oak Hill Marina MOB JOB, Slingshot Demo Rides, West O Triva, SMOKOBOJI Rocks Scavenger Hunt among new events this year
- The U of O Winter Games Committee designed this year’s logo.
If you have anything you would like noted for Winter Games history, please send to kiley@okobojichamber.com.