Palm Beach Gardens Living - September 2025

Empowering Champions COVER FEATURE - By Dean Glorioso - - Photos courtesy of NJCAA and LILA PHOTO - AT PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE F or more than 3000 years, people have been running and jumping, throwing and catching in spirited competition, possibly to please a deity or two. In 776 BC, we get what may be considered history’s first organized athletic event: the Olympic Games. The word athletic is derived from, who else, the ancient Greeks, meaning contest or contest for a prize . While pride andprestigestill reignsupreme, athletes have been competing since Zeus wrestled his father Kronos for the Olympus throne. Fast forward to 1896 and the modern Olympic Games return to Athens. Later, the Olympics begin operating under a resolution adopted by the United Nations, entitled Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal. Today, the impact of athletics, sports, and competition has tremendous advantages for our youngpeople. Foroverall health, mindset, and interpersonal skills, team sports aid in the development of the individual and the advancements of a global society beyond the neighborhood park. Palm Beach State College is empowering young people through the power of competitive sports: baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, golf, and volleyball. In fact, 6 PA L M B E A C H G A R D E N S L I V I N G | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5