Michigan Announces Travel Path for Torch Relay

The 2014 Meijer State Games of Michigan (MSGOM), a West Michigan Sports Commission signature event, will feature a new, statewide Meijer State Games of Michigan Torch Tour Presented by Huntington Bank that will travel from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Grand Rapids from June 13-20.

As a new kick-off event for the MSGOM, the Torch Tour has been developed in partnership with Huntington Bank to foster statewide participation in the MSGOM and provide an opportunity for active youth, adults and seniors to carry the torch along the route and promote the healthy lifestyle and activity focus of the event.

“The inaugural Meijer State Games of Michigan Torch Tour Presented by Huntington Bank will showcase the Meijer State Games of Michigan as an opportunity for Michigan residents of any age and ability to participate in athletic competition in 40 sports in an Olympic atmosphere,” said Brian Bromley, Huntington Meijer in-store banking director. “Huntington Bank believes in the mission of fostering healthy lifestyles in Michigan and this celebratory Torch Tour offers a tremendous opportunity to be a part of an outstanding statewide event.”

A custom, made-in-Michigan Huntington Bank torch developed by the Detroit Design Center will incorporate core Michigan elements to include iron ore and copper from the Upper Peninsula and reclaimed glass, steel and wood from Detroit industrial locations.  The torch will rest in a base that will include a variety of iconic natural resources from Michigan including water from all five Great Lakes and sand from the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Torch Tour Schedule:

• Friday, June 13:  11 AM-St. Ignace, Bridge View Park; 5 PM-Traverse City, Clinch Park
• Monday, June 16: 11 AM-Midland, Farmer’s Market-Tridge Area; 5 PM-Flint, Atwood Stadium
• Wednesday, June 18: 11AM-Detroit, Detroit Riverwalk-Dequindre-Cut; 5 PM- Ann Arbor, Gallup Park
• Thursday, June 19: 11 AM-Lansing, State Capitol
• Friday, June 20: 7 PM-Grand Rapids, Meijer State Games of Michigan-Opening Ceremonies

A Torch Tour promotional video can be found on our YouTube page: http://youtu.be/WQyknmkYYQM

For more information about the Meijer State Games of Michigan, please visit our website: www.stategamesofmichigan.com

About the Meijer State Games of Michigan: Modeled after the Olympics, the Meijer State Games of Michigan welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among resident of Michigan. A signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer State Games of Michigan is truly a grassroots organization that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the support of corporate partners. To register for the 2014 Meijer State Games of Michigan, please visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com.

About the West Michigan Sports Commission: Established in 2007, the West Michigan Sports Commission has worked with more than 350 events that have brought over 300,000 people into the community and generated an economic impact of more than $100 million from visitor spending.

About Huntington: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ: HBAN and www.huntington.com) is a $60 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state retail banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 700 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,500 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state retail banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.