BUFFALO, N.Y., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 7,000 athletes
from throughout New York State participating in 27 different sports are
arriving in Buffalo to participate in the 19th Empire State Games.  The
opening ceremonies will take place tonight at North AmeriCare Park in
Downtown Buffalo.
    Athletes range in age from 12-75, and in the past have included such
competitors as NBA stars Chris Mullin, Kenny Anderson, and Christian
Laettner, All-Star baseball player Andy Van Slyke, Olympic gold medalist
Jeff Blatnick, and Olympic alpine skier A.J. Kitt.  Additionally, dozens
of their U.S. Olympic team members and outstanding amateur and
professional athletes are alumni of the Empire State Games.
    The event has also been a major media attraction as well since its
first year in 1978.  Every major newspaper in New York and more than
200 members of the press were credentialed for the 1995 games in Ithaca.
Media covering the games has included the New York Times, Albany Times
Union and USA Today.  Fifteen television affiliates and cable stations
have broadcast reports.  Radio report feeds were made to 42 stations in
the State of New York.
    Rochester, Albany and Syracuse also have benefited from hosting the
games in recent years.  The estimated economic impact to the city
hosting the games and the surrounding area has ranged from $6 million -
$10 million.  The estimated economic impact at this year's Games has
been estimated at $10 million.
    Hosting colleges and universities get the opportunity to show their
campus and facilities under the best of conditions to prospective
students.  And this year's Empire State Games is taking place throughout
the entire Buffalo region.  The University of Buffalo in Amherst is host
to the athletics competition; women's basketball is taking place at Erie
Community College and Buffalo State College; while they'll be playing
ice hockey at Niagara University.  Other sites being used are the
Buffalo Auditorium, Medaille College, Daeman College and Thruway Lanes.
    The competition begins tomorrow and runs until Sunday, July 28.
    The schedule and updates of the events are available at the Empire
State Games World Wide Web Site (http://www.empiregames.org).