25th Anniversary of the Chicago Sting's 1981 Soccer Bowl Championship

We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Sting's 1981 Soccer Bowl championship victory over Giorgio Chinaglia and the New York Cosmos.

Also, thanks to The Loop, you can order your Sting Special 4-Pack and get four tickets to the September 17th Fire match vs. D.C. United at TOYOTA PARK! You'll also get four commemorative Sting posters and four Kraft cinch sacks when you order now! Don't need four tickets? Grab a special deal with our partner, The LOOP with tickets only $9.79!

Sept. 17 schedule of events

Chicago Sting players autograph session
To take place at Firefest (Gate B) from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Chicago Sting Legends Game
To take place from 2:45 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. on the West Side of field

First Kick for Chicago Fire-D.C. United game
Chicago Sting owner/chairman Lee Stern to take part in ceremonial "first kick" at 3 p.m.

Halftime
Sting players/coaches on-field recognition

Post-game Gathering with two former Sting players and two Fire players (TBD)
Event open only to Fire season ticket holders and club seat holders at TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club immediately following final whistle.

Check out the press conference photos »

Lee B. Stern -- Chicago Sting founder

Lee B. Stern, President of LBS Limited Partnership, a member firm of the Chicago Board of Trade, has been active in the commodity industry since he joined the Board of Trade as a member in 1949. A former director, Stern has served as a member and chairman of several major committees of the Exchange, including chairmanship of the prestigious Floor Governos Committee. Mr. Stern was also a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange from 1963 to 1998.

Mr. Stern is best known in the sports world as the founder of the Chicago Sting soccer club having purchased the North American Soccer League franchise in 1974. The Sting were winners of the NASL in 1981 and 1984, the last year of the NASL. The team continued in the Major Indoor Soccer League until 1988, a year before the league shut down. With the support of Chicago mayors Richard J. Daley, Jane Byrne and Harold Washington as well as former Governors Jim Thompson and George Ryan, he tirelessly promoted the team and the NASL.

As a charter member of the World Cup Founders Club, as well as the City of Chicago 1994 World Cup Host Committee, Mr. Stern was active in helping bring the event to the U.S. Stern continues to be a strong supporter on a local and national level in the soccer community and his beloved Chicago.

He was the Chicago Fire's first ever season ticket holder during the team's inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign in 1998.

Stern was elected to the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and presently serves as a member of the Board of Directors. In 1975, Mr. Stern, along with three other Board of Trade members acquired a minority interest in the Chicago White Sox with the Bill Veeck group. In 1981, he joined Jerry Reinsdorf's group as a member of the Corporate General Partnership and presently serves on the Board of Directors of the 2005 World Series Champions Chicago White Sox.

He and his wife Norma are native Chicagoans. Lee is a graduate of Senn High School and attended the University of Illinois-Chicago prior to serving with the U.S. Army Air Corp from 1945 to 1947, as well as attending Roosevelt College upon being discharged. He went on to become a member of the Chicago Board of Trade.

Their family includes Jeff and wife Linda; Dan and wife Robin; son Kenny and daughter January Scarpino. Jeff, Dan, Kenny and January are members of the Chicago Board of Trade. The Sterns have 10 grandchildren and reside in Chicago and Boca Raton, Florida.