Are You a fan of The Olympics?

This year, Fairbanks is the host society for the Arctic Winter Games – the world’s largest multi-sport and cultural event for youth in the circumpolar north. Fairbanks hosted the Arctic Winter Games in 1982, 1988, and now in spring of 2014. Twenty sports will be played at the 2014 Games – everything from Arctic Sports to Wrestling.

In 1970, the first Arctic Winter Games had 500 participants. Today that number has grown to over 2,000. Team Alaska sends approximately 400 athletes to the games. With that many participants, it takes over 2,000 volunteers to support the Games.

UAF will be hosting several sports on campus including snowboarding, soccer, hockey, and basketball. During the games, UAF and UArctic, along with the Arctic Winter Games, will host the first Arctic Winter Games College Fair in Fairbanks. Athletes participating in the games can learn about higher education opportunities in the circumpolar North. The college fair will take place from 9a.m. – 12p.m. and 4p.m. – 7p.m. on Wednesday, March 19^th, in the Great Hall on the Fairbanks campus.

All athletes, their parents and community members are welcome to attend. In addition to the universities in attendance, there will be refreshments and door prizes – including two iPads. Schools from all around the circumpolar North will be attending including The Arctic University of Norway, University of Saskatchewan, Ilisimatusarfik – University of Greenland, Ilisagnk College, Alaska Pacific University, The Northern Arctic Federal University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Southeast. Come check it out!

- Blog post courtesy of Teal Rogers