National Gymnastics Championships Planning A Team Effort Of The Denton Community

4/9/03

DENTON — Dozens of volunteers will have spent months planning to the smallest detail to ensure the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships run smoothly when 217 athletes compete April 17-19 at Texas Woman’s University.

"I can’t commend the volunteers enough," said Chalese Connors, TWU athletics director. "Everyone has done a fantastic job these past few months — the Greater Denton Sports Commission, the city, Denton Community Hospital numerous local businesses and my own Pioneer staff. We‘re an unbeatable team."

Event organizers expect about 5,000 people will attend the championships, which will draw 18 men's and women's gymnastic teams from across the country, as well as individual competitors. To make sure Denton makes a good impression with the student-athletes, their coaches, parents and fans attending the championships, the event’s core committee has worked diligently. Housing, hospitality, transportation to and from the airport and to and from competition were all issues the committee addressed.

"Co-hosting the national championships is a wonderful opportunity to showcase TWU and the city of Denton," Connors said. "Many people have put in countless volunteer hours to prepare for this three-day event, which will be a lot of fun and a chance to show what our community can accomplish."

The championships get underway the afternoon of April 17 with the women's team semifinals. The team finals will be April 18 beginning at 1 p.m. for the men and 7 p.m. for the women. Individual competition, both men's and women's, starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 19.

Volunteers’ efforts won’t end when competition begins. Ticket takers, merchandise sellers, event staff directing judges and competitors and fans where to go, all will be volunteers.
"It’s an honor for Denton to host the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships," said Denton Mayor Euline Brock. "We are proud to be the home of TWU’s renowned gymnastics program, and we’re looking forward to the excitement this championship will bring to Denton."

Women’s teams competing include: Texas Woman’s University, the United States Air Force Academy, Seattle Pacific University, Cornell University, University of California-Davis, Temple University, Centenary University and the University of Bridgeport. Men’s teams include: the College of William and Mary, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, Springfield College, Southern Connecticut State University, Arizona State University, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of Washington and the University of Vermont. Individual competitors will come from the University of Alaska, Winona State University, West Chester University, Texas A&M and San Diego State University, among others.

Tickets are $20 for an adult event pass and $15 for a student (age 7-17) event pass. Day passes are $8 for adults and $6 for students. Children age 6 and younger are admitted free. For tickets, call (940) 898-2373 or (888) 381-1818. Ticket information also is available at www.dentonsports.com/Gymnastics_Info.htm.

The 2003 championships are being co-hosted by TWU and the Greater Denton Sports Commission. Denton Community Hospital is the event’s title sponsor.

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For Further Information Contact:

Roy Kron
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: rkron@twu.edu