20130821 PR-Polo Chicago Sports Day August 25, 2013 featuring legends
Press Release
Contact: Blaine Wing
Phone: (630) 368-5022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Email: bwing@oak-brook.org
Blackhawks and Bears Legends Will Attend Oak Brook Polo
Oak Brook, Illinois – August 21, 2013: Oak Brook Polo continues to grow in popularity and excitement as
both Blackhawks and Bears legends will be appearing at “Chicago Sports Day” on Sunday, August 25 from
1-4pm. Fans won’t want to miss the exciting “Game of Kings” highlighted by appearances from Blackhawks
legends Stan Mikita and Ab McDonald, as well as former Bears tackle James “Big Cat” Williams.
During the 1960's Stan Mikita and Alvin Brian ‘Ab’ McDonald formed one of the best two-way lines for the
Blackhawks. Mikita was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and today he serves as a goodwill
ambassador for the Blackhawks organization. He was considered one of the best centers of all time and
played on the Blackhawks from 1958 to 1980. Both Mikita and McDonald helped win a Stanley Cup
Championship for the Blackhawks in 1961.
From 1994 through his final game in 2002, Williams started an incredible 134 consecutive games throughout
his professional tenure with the Chicago Bears. Pro Bowler and retired Chicago Bears James “Big Cat”
Williams was also the recipient of the Bears’ Brian Piccolo award following the 2001 season.
“The Village is honored to have Stan Mikita, a Blackhawks legend and a former resident of Oak Brook, along
with Ab McDonald and former Bears Right Tackle, James “Big Cat” Williams, attending polo,” said Village
President Gopal G. Lalmalani.
The Oak Brook Polo Committee is enthusiastic in having several Chicago sports greats attend this upcoming
Sunday’s polo matches, while knowing that a portion of the event proceeds are supporting Ronald McDonald
House Charities. “Blackhawks and Bears presence for our charity will definitely add to the event’s excitement.
Instead of throwing the first puck – Mikita will be tossing in the first polo ball to start the initial match with
James “Big Cat” Williams throwing in the first polo ball for the main match,” said Jim Pehta, Oak Brook Polo
Committee member. (Please note that Mikita and McDonald will not be signing autographs. Williams will be
available for limited autographs and photos.)
General Admission and VIP tickets are still available online at www.oak-brook.org/polo for Sunday’s game as
well as the remaining two (2) dates. Those additional matches will take place on the following dates:
• Sunday, September 15th (1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. matches) – British Day
• Sunday, September 22nd (1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. matches) – Argentina Day
About Oak Brook Polo:
Since its inception in 1922, during the "golden age" of polo, world-class teams have come almost every
summer to play on the immaculately groomed fields of the Oak Brook Polo Grounds. Founded by Paul Butler,
patriarch of the Village of Oak Brook, the original Oak Brook Polo Club became the largest polo facility in the
country by 1953. The U.S. Open (Polo), the premier polo tournament in the country, was played at Oak Brook
for 25 years, from 1954 to 1978, the longest it was ever played in one location. Oak Brook was considered to
be one of the top summer polo clubs in America, and was well-known throughout the world. To learn more
about Oak Brook, please visit http://www.oak-brook.org.
###