- Scroll down for photos from the event
Hundreds of kids and parents participated in USA Gymnastics Family Fun Night, a joint effort between USA Gymnastics and the Indiana Pacers on Friday, April 8, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. 2008 Olympic silver-medalist and 2009 World all-around champion Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro, Ind., and many of Indiana’s 2011 men’s and women’s all-around state champions performed handstands and were recognized during halftime of the game, which the Pacers won. Before the game, the participants enjoyed the Family Fun Night activities in the Practice Court.
Sloan was introduced at the game’s tip-off, and her coach Marvin Sharp of Sharp’s Gymnastics led the all-around champions handstand efforts during halftime.
The Indiana Pacers’ mascot Boomer and Sloan were on hand while the kids took advantage of the activities in six fitness zones. Each fitness zone focused on a gymnastics skill that involved strength, cardio or flexibility, including a special handstand station. The fitness zones were staffed by several Indianapolis-area gymnastics clubs: Anderson Gymnastics, Dana Mannix Gymnastics Academy, Geist Sports Academy, Gymnastics Unlimited, and Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center. A nutrition zone, hosted by USA Gymnastics partner St. Vincent Sports Performance, provided health and nutrition tips to kids and their parents.
Adding excitement to the evening was a double mini-trampoline demonstration by several athletes from InterActive Academy, including the USA’s junior tumbling champ Alex Renkert.