U.S. Figure Skating announces San Jose, Calif., selected to host 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Colorado Springs, Colo., and San Jose, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2009) - U.S. Figure Skating announced today the selection of San Jose, Calif., as the host city for the 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Jan. 22-29, 2012. 

The event, held annually since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event, with past winners including such skating luminaries as Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano and Scott Hamilton. National champions will be crowned in 12 events: ladies, men's, pairs and ice dancing at the senior, junior and novice levels.

"We're thrilled to bring the 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships to San Jose," U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter said. "With the support of the figure skating fans and the community of San Jose, we are assured a successful event."

This marks the 11th time the state of California has hosted the event, and the second time the city of San Jose has played host. The first time was in 1996, when hometown hero Rudy Galindo thrilled those in attendance with a performance still regarded as one of the greatest and most memorable in the history of the championships.

The U.S. Championships annually attract more than 1,500 figure skating athletes, coaches and officials to the host city. The event has generated $20-25 million in economic impact for recent host cities.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed welcomed the selection.

"I am delighted that the U.S. Figure Skating Championships are coming back to San Jose," Reed said. "Our region has a strong history of producing some of America's top skaters and a legacy of competitive excellence. With hospitality, culture and an abundance of sports enthusiasts, San Jose has proven itself as a premiere destination for successful, world-class sporting events."

Peggy Fleming, five-time U.S. champion, three-time World champion and 1968 Olympic champion, served as honorary chair of the San Jose bid and will continue in that role with the city's local organizing committee.

"This is a wonderful day for the city of San Jose and for the entire Bay Area figure skating community," Fleming said. "The U.S. Championships are the annual highlight for U.S. competitive skaters, featuring the best and brightest stars in the sport. I am personally honored - and excited - to share San Jose with the nation in hosting this prestigious event."

The bid, headed by the San Jose Sports Authority, HP Pavilion at San Jose and Sharks Ice San Jose, included commitments from the City of San Jose's Office of Economic Development, San Jose Hotels, Inc., and the San Jose Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Bay Area figure skating clubs actively supported the bid as did a long list of legendary skaters with San Jose ties, including Fleming, Boitano, Yamaguchi, Galindo, Debi Thomas and Charles Tickner.

"We are very pleased to be hosting the U. S. Figure Skating Championships, one of the country's most high-profile sporting events, here at HP Pavilion at San Jose," said Greg Jamison, president and CEO of HP Pavilion and chairman of the San Jose Sports Authority. "With leadership from the Sports Authority and the continued support of our key community partners, including the city and its Office of Economic Development, San Jose Hotels Inc., and the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau, we are eager to showcase our world-class city and our world-class venues, and to host one of the best U.S. Championships in recent memory."

Deposits are now being taken for All-Session Ticket Packages. With an All-Session Ticket, you get the best seats to every session plus other special perks. To receive priority seating, please visit www.skatesanjose2012.com or call 408.977.4723 to place a $50 deposit per seat. All-Session Ticket Packages begin at $225.

The event will be broadcast on NBC Sports and online at Icenetwork.com. Recent U.S. Championships have been held in Saint Paul, Minn. (2008), and Cleveland, Ohio (2009). This year's event will be held in Spokane, Wash., with the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships set for Greensboro, N.C.

About U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is comprised of more than 700 member clubs, collegiate clubs, and school-affiliated clubs and more than 900 registered Basic Skills skating schools representing approximately 170,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States  including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.

About the San Jose Sports Authority

The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose's economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports.  Serving as the City's sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract or host nearly 300 sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay.  The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, The First Tee of San Jose, and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. To learn more, visit www.sjsa.org.

About HP Pavilion at San Jose

HP Pavilion at San Jose hosts nearly 100 sporting events annually including more than 40 San Jose Sharks regular season home games, American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank professional boxing, SAP Open men's professional tennis, and Strikeforce mixed martial arts. The building hosts 120 to 180 events every year -- including Olympic athletes, Grammy award-winners and a variety of family and children's favorites that account for more than 275 event days. Pollstar, the leading concert industry trade magazine, nominated HP Pavilion at San Jose as "Arena of the Year" for 2005 and 2007. In 2007 Pollstar also recognized HP Pavilion at San Jose based on non-sports attendance as 4th in North America, top 10 in the world. Over the past 10 years, HP Pavilion at San Jose has consistently been in the Top 5 in North America and top 10 in the world.

About the City of San Jose

From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San Jose has been a leader, driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San Jose stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley-the world's leading center of innovation. The city, the 10^th largest in the U.S., is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, to work and to live.  For more information, visit www.sanjoseca.gov.

About The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB)

The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB), a 25 year old organization focused on enhancing the image and economic well being of San Jose, offers meeting planners, tour operators, and individual visitors a wide range of services to ensure a successful event and fun visit to San Jose. SJCVB is managed by Team San Jose, a unique customer service model that works in partnership with local hoteliers, organized labor, local arts leadership and business community to provide a one-team approach to all event-planning needs. Team San Jose manages the San Jose Convention Center and multiple theaters in Downtown San Jose including the San Jose Civic, Parkside Hall, Center for the Performing Arts, California Theatre and Montgomery Theater. For more information about San Jose contact the SJCVB at 1.800.SAN.JOSE (1.800.726.5673) or visit www.sanjose.org.

About San Jose Hotels Inc. (SJHI)

San Jose Hotels Inc. is a hotels lead non-profit business improvement district representing thirty-five San Jose-based hotels. SJHI leverages destination investment focused on event sponsorship, marketing and public relations to attract conventions, events and meetings to San Jose through a unique partnership with Team San Jose and the SJCVB.

Tags: U.S. Figure Skating