Chicago Readies for Gymnastics with 2013 Secret U.S. Classic

Single session tickets for the 2013 Secret U.S. Classic are on sale now.  1996 Olympic team gold-medalist Kerri Strug will be in the metropolitan Chicago area June 14-15 to promote the Secret U.S. Classic, scheduled for July 27 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.  The event, which features some of the USA’s top female gymnasts, is the final qualifying event for women’s gymnastics for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, which determines U.S. champions and national team members.

Single session tickets range in price from $20-$35 for the junior session and $25-$45 for the senior session, including facility fees.  All-day tickets, which include admission to both the junior and senior elite sessions, are also on sale and range from $40-$69, including facility fees. To purchase tickets, visit www.SearsCentre.com, call 1-888-SEARS-TIX, or visit the KIA Box Office at the Sears Centre Arena.  For more information, go to usagym.org/events. Group tickets may be purchased by calling 847-649-2368.

Strug will visit local area gymnastics clubs to meet and speak with young gymnasts on June 14, as well as appear at the Family Sports Festival, hosted by World Sport Chicago, at Seward Park on June 15 from 12-2 p.m.

Many of the country’s top gymnasts use the Secret U.S. Classic as a final tune-up for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, while other gymnasts are hoping to qualify for the national championships. The July 27 competition schedule is 1 p.m. for the junior session and 6 p.m. for the senior session.  All times are Central and subject to change. 

USA Gymnastics is partnering with World Sport Chicago on this event.  The two organizations have worked together on the 2009 American Cup, the 2009-10 Chicago Cup, and the U.S. Classic since 2010. . 

The 2013 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, scheduled for Aug. 15-18 in Hartford, Conn., determines the U.S. champions for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics.  For complete information on nationals, log on to usagym.org.

Background information:

Sears Centre Arena: Sears Centre Arena is an 11,000-seat multipurpose family entertainment, cultural, and sports arena located in Hoffman Estates’ Prairie Stone Business Park.  The Sears Centre Arena, which opened in 2006, is designed to accommodate a variety of events including concerts, family shows and sporting events.  For more information regarding the Sears Centre Arena and upcoming events, please visit the arena’s website at www.searscentre.com.

World Sport Chicago: World Sport Chicago, the legacy of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid, believes that sport has the power to transform lives and is dedicated to helping children in Chicago find a sport to meet their interests and abilities.  The organization promotes the Olympic ideals of fitness, education and well-being by working with partner organizations to launch or expand sport programs for kids.  WSC is working to introduce Chicago’s youth to the fun and benefit of sports and the ideals of fair play, teamwork, respect and leadership.  For more information, go to www.worldsportchicago.org.

USA Gymnastics: Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and group gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usagym.org.