By Catherine Thompson
SAUK CENTRE, MINN. – “Magic Mickey!” rang through the hallways at Fairway Pines, a Lifespark Senior Living Community. That moment sparked an unexpected tradition.
At Fairway Pines, nicknames aren’t just for fun – they are the ties that bind the team together. When they started, the game became something more. Before they knew it, team members were leaving competitions with brand-new nicknames.
Mickey, known as “Mickey the Master” or “Magic Mickey,” was among the first team members to receive a nickname. Then there were the teams – Fairway Pines Streeters, Crazy Cardinals, Heritage Pointe Dragonflies, and more.
The Streeters‘ coach, Ashley Amelung, said that Mike Schmiesing, their maintenance guy, is as much a part of the team as everyone else started the nicknames.
“He was just trying to keep everybody upbeat. Once he came up with the first nicknames we just kept going with it,” she said.
Schmiesing’s nicknames pop into his head and match each team member’s personality quite well. “I see their smiling faces and it just comes to me,” he said.
After Mickey’s nicknames came the rest of the team. ‘Sassy Sharon’ has a quick comeback for everything and keeps up the momentum for the team. ‘Jumping Jo’ is just down to being part of the team and will jump in and do whatever she needs.
‘Richard the Rabbit’ or ‘Racing Richard’ is a champ on the arm crank, making it look like nothing as he smiles and looks around. Jay Brisson, known as ‘Jazzy Jay’ or ‘Jumping Jay,’ got his nickname from Amelung because she noticed that he loves to walk down the hallways in the mornings.
“I like ‘Jazzy Jay’ because Jay is one-of-a-kind. He is a great guy who is always very polished, so he is kind of a jazzy guy,” Amelung said with a smile.
Deborah Gray, known as ‘Dynamite Deborah,’ got her nickname because of her quickness. When her kids were younger, they would all participate in 100-mile bicycle marathons together, which is paying off for Gray today. “She was like dynamite getting onto that pedal machine and working those legs,” said Amelung.
As Cindy Sandgren, Activities Assistant, Amelung, Gray, and Brisson reminisced about the nicknames, it was clear to them that these nicknames were so much more than a quip but a true confidence and motivational builder. “This team cares more about the relationships they make than they do about winning,” observed Sandgren.
As a small community of about 45 residents, it’s easier to foster closer connections and bonds among team members unlike others. “It’s like your own little family,” said Amelung.
Within this community are the team cheerleaders, who are some of the biggest supporters of the team, no matter if they win or lose. They attend as many competitions as they can, waving their pom-poms high in the air.
“This group this year tries really hard together as a team, and they support each other,” said Sandgren. “It is just really cool to see this because it has been a couple of years since we have had this.”
That sense of connection is especially meaningful for Gray, who is in her first year competing with the Streeters and values these social bonds above all else.
“The competition, whether we win or lose, doesn’t mean much to me,” she said. “But what does mean a lot is me getting out of my room and down the hall meeting other people.”
Unlike Gray, Brisson has been a Streeter for quite a few years. A lifelong athlete, he values the teamwork and competition that the Spark Performance League has to offer.
“The camaraderie – you work together, you play together, you have a good time together,” he said.
However, Brisson does still find it hard to lose. Being part of sports his entire life has made him quite competitive.
“When you get to 90 years old, you shouldn’t be too competitive anymore, but I can’t help it,” he said.
Growing up, Brisson was involved in several sports. He even participated simultaneously in amateur hockey and basketball. His athleticism earned him a spot in his high school Hall of Fame for baseball, football, track, basketball and amateur hockey.
Athlete involvement for older adults, not only in their younger years, is important. Amelung does her best to boost participation in the competitions.
“She is trying to get more people involved, and that is a good thing. That is more important than winning, and that is what it should be,” said Brisson. “People our age, if they get them involved, it’s a good place to be.”
“We all need that,” said Amelung. “As you get older, it is harder to be that outgoing.”
Gray pointed out that as you continue to age, fewer things automatically give someone a social group.
“When that goes away, the activities mean a lot to me in terms of socializing,” she said.
Being part of the Spark Performance League (SPL) also gives residents a sense of routine. Gray emphasized the feeling of normalcy by having some structure.
“A schedule allows for looking away from that stigma that comes with moving into a nursing home,” said Amelung. “It gives everyone a feeling of ‘you’re at home.’”
She further explained the stigma of ageism and her hopes for what people take away from the concept of the SPL.
“I would hope that they know that we are trying to keep them healthy and moving, and that they do not come in here and just sit in their rooms and are forgotten about because they are old,” she said. “They are not. We want to keep them busy and moving with a focus on quality of life.”
Sandgren added, “A move to senior living is not the last chapter in their life, it’s a place to meet your next set of friends and see where your next adventure, or competition, will take you.”
The relationships between each member of this team are what make the competition fun and what drives a true sense of strength, purpose, and belonging right where they live.
“It’s a good place to be and they keep people busy, which is very good,” said Brisson.
For the Streeters, nicknames are a small symbol of something bigger: friendship, laughter, and a team that feels like home.
