On Sunday, February 3, Viking’s USAG Boys and USAG Girls teams will perform at the conclusion of the UIC Women’s College Gymnastics meet.
Although we are excited for our teams to perform on this big stage, we are sad about the recent news: The UIC mens’ and womens’ gymnastics teams have been told that this will be their last competitive season!
Here are some of our gymnasts who want to #flipthedecision:
Why is UIC dropping gymnastics?
On August 31st, 2018, The University of Illinois at Chicago announced the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will eliminate the men’s and women’s gymnastics programs at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 season.
These are two top-notch programs. Both have talented, hard-working athletes. UIC Men’s’ team has had 7 Division I All American Athletes and has the highest Division I finish in all UIC Sports. The UIC Women’s team has won 12 Midwest independent conference titles.
Members of Viking’s USAG girls’ team performing at UIC in 2018.
The decision to drop the teams is being done as a move toward the goal of building attendance at basketball games. UIC administrators hope to join a higher profile athletic conference. This would bring bigger name schools to play at the Pavilion — and larger crowds. Larger crowds mean more money.
To be in a bigger profile conference, UIC teams must prove they are the best/top in their current conference — the Horizon League. To improve their chances of being the best in the Horizon League, UIC administrators feel all their resources should be spent on the teams that compete in the Horizon League.
Unfortunately, the gymnastics program does not compete in the Horizon League. Therefore, it no longer seems to fit with the UIC administration and their future plans.
The UIC Gymnastics supporters want to #flipthedecision. We hope that by using respectful public pressure we can remind the Athletic Director and Chancellor of all the reasons this move is not in the best interest of UIC or UIC Athletics.
Why is #flipthedecision important?
Only 16 colleges currently support men’s gymnastics teams. Losing UIC’s program will bring the number down to 15.
There are only four Division I women’s gymnastics teams in Illinois. There will be none in the Chicago area without the UIC program.
Viking Gymnastics is interested in this issue. Our students work hard in their sport. We believe that college level gymnastics should be an obtainable option for them in a city as large as ours.
Charlie Friedman, Director of Viking Gymnastics & Dance, is the coach of a former UIC scholarship athlete. “I can tell you that having a program like UIC in Chicago is a magical opportunity, and one I want to witness for years to come,” she said. “Even having our grade-school-aged athletes tumbling down on the main floor as guests at a collegiate meet is incredibly inspirational.”
Viking performance details
Viking’s team had a great time performing at UIC last year — and enjoyed meeting all the UIC student athletes!
The meet will begin at 12:00 pm on Sunday, February 3, at the UIC Dorin Forum. The meet is open to the public. The UIC Women’s Team will face off against Eastern Michigan. The Viking teams will perform after the meet is over.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for youth, available at the UIC Women’s Gymnastics Page. The UIC Dorin Forum is located at 725 W. Roosevelt Road (the corner of Roosevelt and Halsted).
How you can help #flipthedecision
There is conversation around this issue on social media, using the #flipthedecision hashtag.
If you cannot attend the event, you can still make a difference. Write or call in support of saving UIC’s men’s and women’s gymnastics teams. The UIC Athletic Director and Chancellor are the best people to contact about this:
- UIC Athletic Director: Garrett Klassy; email: gklassy@uic.edu; office number: 312-996-2695
- UIC Chancellor: Michael Amiridis; email: chancellor@uic.edu; office number: 312-413-3350
Join us at Viking Instagram and Viking Facebook and #flipthedecision!
