2015-16 Schedule 2016 Printable Schedule

CHICAGO - The UIC men's gymnastics team has released its final schedule for the upcoming 2016 season, as the squad prepares for its first regular-season competition on Jan. 9 against Illinois at Huff Hall in Champaign, Ill.

"I am very excited for the 2016 Flames schedule," said head coach Charley Nelson. "We have one of the most talented teams UIC has had in a long time. Anyone who is not at the Pavilion this spring is going to miss out on some of the nation's best gymnastics. I cannot wait!"

The Flames open their campaign with the annual Mixed Pairs exhibition meet on Dec. 6 inside UIC's Physical Education Building (PEB) at 2 p.m. CT, before opening their season on Jan. 9 when they travel down state to compete against Illinois.

One week later, the Flames will host the 46th annual Windy City Invitational on Jan. 17, as they welcome Big Ten teams Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio State. At last year's invitational, then-senior Brett Valin was presented with the Edward J. Saleh Memorial Award and Scholarship; an honor given to a UIC gymnast who best exemplifies athletic and academic excellence while representing the UIC men's gymnastics program.

The Flames remain at the Pavilion for their second of three home meets as they welcome N.C. State on Jan. 23 to wrap up the month of January.

The men spend all of February away from home when they travel to face Illinois for a second time on Feb. 6. UIC will then trek to Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 13 to compete at the 33rd annual Peach Tree Invitational at the Georgia State University Sports Arena.

The Flames will next make their way to Colorado Springs, Colo., where they are set to battle against long-time rival Air Force on Feb. 26 and Feb. 28. UIC then heads to Minneapolis to dual against Minnesota on March 5.

The squad returns to Chicago to host Utah State in its final home meet on March 13 at 2 p.m. before it is back on the road to close out regular-season competition against Michigan on March 26.

Next up for the Flames is the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships, running April 2-3 in Williamsburg, Va. At last year's championships, UIC finished in fourth place with a score of 409.350 and then-senior Jason Gaides was named the Senior Gymnast of the Year after he placed second in the all-around competition (84.600).

The 2016 NCAA Championships are scheduled to take place in Columbus, Ohio from April 15-16. Returnees Jacob Thurber, Trent Jarrett and Alex Dumstorf all got a taste of NCAA competition last season and hope to return this year with a few more teammates by their side.