History Bits #3

American Gymnastics Centurions

A Centurion was a Roman soldier who commanded 100 men. American gymnastics’ centurions are those who command our attention. The people listed below have had the greatest impact on United States’ gymnastics history from 1880 to 2008. Their accomplishments, performances and records provide a standard for those in the future who will be added to the list. At the end of each brief sketch below, the reader will find the page(s) in Roots where their gymnastics “Family” ties and accomplishments are recorded. A.B. Frederick, Ph.D.

Francis Allen/Jim Howard - Allen, a “Big Eight” champion returned to his alma mater, the University of Nebraska (U NE), as did Howard, to coach. They developed 8 Olympians, 3 Nissen-Emery award honorees, and six NCAA AA champions. The only collegiate men's team to win five, consecutive NCAA team titles (1979-83) p. 36

Frank Bare - The first Executive Director for the USGF. Hired to pursue an initiative to develop the first, independent national governing body for gymnastics, presently, USA Gymnastics. He demonstrated to the FIG that the USGF, not the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), should be the FIG representative from the USA. The United States Gymnastics Federation replaced the AAU in 1970. P. 21

Jack Beckner - A three time Olympian, prominent judge and winner of four consecutive national All-Around titles. The first of two men to compete in a World Championships for the USA. He won nine gold medals in consecutive Pan Am Games (1955 and 1959). P. 9

Andrea Bodo Schmid - Won a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal while a member of the Hungarian Olympic team (1952 &1956) for Team Drill, the forerunner of Rhythmic Gymnastics in the Olympics. Defected to the US and became a teacher of artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. Authored a popular book on women’s gymnastics. Member of FIG's RSG TC and represents the discipline on USAG’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. p. 10

George Brosius - Grandfather of American Gymnastics. Coached the first American team from the Milwaukee Turnverein to compete against the best gymnasts in Europe (1880). The competition was held in Frankfurt, Germany at the 5th German Turnfest, the only open international competition at the time. The Americans returned with four of the top ten prizes. Brosius was sought out by many clubs as a coach but remained in Milwaukee for his career of fifty years. p. 67

Bart Conner - Won gold medals on parallel bars at the Olympic games, the World Championships and at the World Cup. Member of the first American Men's Olympic Gymnastics Team to win the team Gold medal (1984). TV gymnastics commentator. p. 49

Frank Cumiskey - Three time Olympian and member of our Silver medal Olympic team (1932). Initiated the first regional judging organization and was the first Technical Director for the USGF. Wrote a history of gymnastics published serially in the International Gymnast as well as the first Who’s Who for American gymnastics, the latter published in 1973. His serialized history is available through the Roots Project web site <gymroots.com> for $25. p. 39

Muriel Davis Grossfeld - One of our most visible and celebrated gymnasts, the first woman to have broad name recognition in the United States. A three time Olympian with eight national titles in floor exercise. Later an Olympic coach in 1968 and 1972 and has been active as a national coach and mentor ever since. p. 70

Dominique Dawes - One of four women to sweep a national championships (1994). The other three were Clara Schroth, Ernestine Russell, and Joyce Tanac. Member of the first American women's team to win the team gold at an Olympics (1996 “Mag Seven”). Olympic and World Championships medalist. President of the Women’s Sports Foundation. p. 27

Marcia Frederick Blanchette - First American woman to win a gold medal in a World Championships with a near perfect routine on the uneven parallel bars (1978, Strasbourg, FRA). She was first to perform a toe-on Tkatchev on the unevens. p. 70

Doris Fuchs Brause -At the World Championships (1966 Dortmund, GER) , was the first woman ever to complete an uneven bar routine without a pause in an international, open competition. She is the only American woman to try out for four Olympic Teams making three (alternate in 1964). She was the subject of many articles following her Dortmund performance and most of the women competing against her in that event thought she was the best. Not being awarded a medal at Dortmund caused an hour-long disturbance by the knowledgeable German audience. p. 46

Harold Frey - Leader of a small group of collegiate coaches who worked to form a federation for USA gymnastics in 1963 despite the strong opposition of the AAU. His team won an AAU team title at Navy Pier (IL) and later two NCAA team titles at U of California. Frey continues to loan his expertise to various gymnastics organizations including the World Acrobatic Society. p. 6

Abie Grossfeld - One of our premier collegiate and national coaches. Coached the first US Olympic team to win the team gold medal for the United States (1984). He made two World Championships and two Olympic teams and won eight Pan Am gold medals. Coached Peter Kormann who won AA titles in both Div. I & II (NCAA). Later, Kormann became national coach. Grossfeld coached four Nissen-Emery Award winners despite having no gymnastics scholarships at Southern Connecticut State U. p. 14

Paul Hamm - The first man in American gymnastics history to win both the World Championships (2003) and Olympic Games (2004) AA gold medals and the second gymnast to win the coveted Sullivan Award (2005). Despite a broken hand, he made the US Olympic team scheduled to compete in China in 2008. p. 68

Jim Hartung - The pride of Nebraska gymnastics and Sokol Omaha. Member of the Gold medal Olympic team in Los Angeles (1984) and competed in four World Championships. Tied Joe Giallombardo of Illinois with seven individual NCAA career titles. p. 36

Gustav Heinemann - Turner taskmaster who trained some of the early women's gymnastics champions including Roberta Ranck, our first all-around champion (1931). Graduate of the Normal School of the North American Gymnastics Union, he initiated the first gymnastics team at LaCrosse Normal School (WI). He coached both men and women at the Philadelphia Turngemeinde. p. 51

Al Jochim - The only four time gymnastics Olympian from the United States winning the silver medal for vaulting and a silver team medal at the 1932 Olympics. Jochim won six consecutive national AAU all-around titles (1925-1930) and won a record thirty-five national titles (1923-1934) during his career with the Hudson County (NJ) Swiss Turners. He was a mentor to Frank Cumiskey and other notable gymnasts. p. 39

Kathy Johnson-Clarke - The first American gymnast to medal in both the Olympic games and the World Championships. Best known for her approach and retreat from the floor exercise event, she was dubbed America's “Gymnastic Swan.” Later did commentary for televised gymnastics events. She was the first Nissen Award winner for women. The award was later adopted by American Athletic, Inc. (AAI) company. p. 69

Leslie Judd - Australian athlete came to study at Springfield College. After graduating, he remained at Springfield as the college's first gymnastics coach. Developed world famous exhibition team and sent many men into the field to coach at major universities throughout the United States including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas. p. 29

Marta and Bela Karolyi - One of the top coaching teams in the history of the sport. Came to prominence when Nadia Comaneci was awarded a “10” in gymnastics at the Montreal Olympics. Later, they coached Mary Lou Retton and Kim Zmeskal among other prominent gymnasts in the United States. Marta continues to be the national team coordinator for the US Women’s gymnastics team. p. 63

Kirsti (Kitty) Kjeldsen – Estonian immigrant. Changed attitudes of female staff at Springfield to allow her, and women who followed her, to be a part of Springfield College’s “Home Show” and its famous exhibition team. Later coached at the University of Massachusetts and was founder of the National Assoc. of Women’s Gymnastics Judges in 1953.

Jacquelyn Klein Fie - The only American to rise to the Presidency of an FIG Technical Committee. She was the first woman to have an administrative position with the United States Gymnastics Federation and designed the form and function of the Women's Committee. She was an evenhanded administrator as a head judge and did much to eliminate international judging bias. p. 19

Frank Kriz - A member of USA's first two Olympic Teams and the first to win an Olympic gold medal (1924 Vaulting). He was a prominent member of Sokol New York better known as the Bohemian Sokol. p. 44

Newt Loken - A national AA champion from Minnesota featured in LIFE magazine. Coach at the University of Michigan for thirty-six years. Won 250 dual meets and twelve “Big Ten” titles. Wrote the widely used Complete Book of Gymnastics. p. 31

Lou Mang - Legendary coach of the US Naval Academy. Won six consecutive league titles and coached the first collegian to make an Olympic team (Lt. J.B. Pearson). Later coached Ben Bass, a WWII Naval hero who won an Olympic gold and set the Olympic record for the rope climb. Admiral Richard Byrd was captain of one of Mang’s Navy teams. p. 27

Clayton “Bud” Marquette - Organized the first club exclusively for girls' gymnastics in the United States and coached a number of Olympians. Among these was Cathy Rigby, the first American woman to win a medal in a World Championship competition. p. 5

Greg Marsden - Built a program at the U of Utah with few resources at the outset in 1976 later becoming the most notable collegiate gymnastics program for women in the United States. His record of 800 plus career victories is a record unmatched in NCAA history. His “Utes” have also won 10 NCAA team titles. The “Utes” set the collegiate gymnastics attendance record at 15, 238. p. 64

Julianne McNamara Zeile - Member of two Olympics and two World Championships teams tying for the uneven bars gold and a silver in floor exercise in the 1984 Olympics. Bronze on the uneven bars at the World Championships (1981). p. 50

William T. “Bill” Meade - Early involved n Federation affairs, Meade produced a host of men who went on to become NCAA coaches some of whom are Roger Counsil, Bruno Klaus, Fred Orlofsky, Rusty Mitchell, Chuck Ehrlich, Hutch Dvorak, Brian Babcock and Kevin Mazeika the current Olympic coach (2008). p. 22

Shannon Miller - A “Mag Seven” (Team gold 1996) Olympian, seventh in individual medal production among all elite female gymnasts world wide. Silver medal, Olympic all-around (1992) and consecutive all-around titles in the World Championships (1993 & 1994). Produces a television show and other media work. p. 49

Roy E. Moore - Father of American gymnastics and long time Chair of the National Gymnastics Committee of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). A five time NAAU pommel horse champion, the “Moore” element on the horse and P-Bars is named for him. p. 43

Joan Moore Gnat - Won four consecutive national AA titles (USGF, 1971-74) while simultaneously entering national AAU competition in 1973 and 1974 where she was also the all around champion. Later became a coach and brevet judge. p. 54

Linda (Metheny) & Dick Mulvihill - Known for her beam performances, Linda was a three time Olympian and member of the 1966 World Championships team. First American woman to make an event finals (Mexico City Olympics, 1968). Won sixteen national titles and was four times the national AA champion. A prominent Brevet judge. Dick coached Linda and more than a dozen international elites at the Mulvihill's National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics in Eugene, OR. p. 50

George Nissen - The Nissen trampoline and the sport of trampoline gymnastics was the lifelong work of George Nissen. The trampoline became an Olympic sport, but more importantly, the sport of gymnastics and acrobatic work are safer due to Nissen's pioneering efforts. Nissen was the first to recognize top gymnasts in collegiate competition performing an annual handstand at the Nissen-Emery Awards banquet preceding the NCAA’s annual gymnastics championships. p. 25

Charlie Pond - A master teacher of tumbling and coach of the University of Illinois with four NCAA titles. Pond's twisting belt made it possible to learn advanced twisting elements more efficiently. His belt is used throughout the world. He was a founder of the World Acrobatics Society and held a number of offices for the organization. p. 21

Mildred Prchal - A Sokol leader for more than fifty years, Prchal was a pioneer in the development of rhythmic gymnastics in the USA arranging for our first national championships in 1973. Took our first group of rhythmic athletes to the World Championships the same year. p. 19

Hartley Price - One of the first graduates of Springfield College to coach a major NCAA team at the University of Illinois. He organized Gymkana groups at Illinois and at Florida State University. Won NCAA team titles at both institutions ... a record. Coined the term “Spotting” (Manual assistance to protect a gymnast). p. 20

Roberta “Bobbie” Ranck Bonniwell – Our first national AAU AA champion (1931). Bonniwell was a multi-sport athlete in Philadelphia (PA) and the first woman to win the national AAU javelin event. She was the first and last to win the national AAU club swinging titles winning the last one despite little feeling in her hands due to multiple sclerosis. She was the only woman in the first class of athletes elected to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame along with Connie Mack, Stan Musial, Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe.

Mary Lou Retton Kelley - First American to win the All Around in the Olympic Games (1984). She performed a perfect 10.0 vault and was the first woman to appear on a “Wheaties” box. p. 63

Cathy Rigby McCoy - Well known today for her stage performances as “Peter Pan” and in “Seussical.” She was the first American to win a medal in a World Championships (Silver BB, 1970 - Ljubljana, YUG). On the Cover of LIFE (5/5/72). A two time Olympian. p. 5

John Roethlisberger - Gymnast of the Nineties, the only USA gymnast to participate in eight international open meets (Olympics and World Championships). He won eight national titles including four AA titles. Was NCAA AA Champion from 1991-93. p. 34

Bill Roetzheim - A two times Olympian and three time national AA champion. A standout at Florida State University, he went on to coach at Proviso (IL) High School and at the U of IL (Chicago Circle). He was a member of the FIG's Men's Technical Committee and a prominent judge. p. 16

Ernestine Russell – A top Canadian gymnast immigrated to the United States. In 1955, she swept all individual events at the US nationals. She was the first woman to obtain a collegiate athletic scholarship (Michigan State). As coach at Clarion State College (PA), her teams were undefeated for seven years. She coached at the University of Florida, worked with the National Governing Body and was a national coach and judge. p. 32

Clara Schroth Lomady - Thirty-nine AAU national titles inclusive of eleven consecutive balance beam titles. She competed in the Olympics in 1948 and 1952. The 1948 team was the first US women's team to win an Olympic team medal (bronze). First woman to sweep all events at the Nationals in 1945. Also a national track and field champion. p. 51

Art Shurlock - The only American to win a national AA title in Canada and the first USGF AA title. At UCLA, he coached eight Olympians, two of whom competed for Mexico and Argentina, and three members of the US Olympic Gold Medal team in 1984 (Vidmar. Daggett and Gaylord). p. 7

Glenn M. Sundby - Founded the Modern Gymnast (MG) magazine, later renamed the International Gymnast. An early supporter of the present NGB, providing its first voice via the MG. Founded the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1986 and was the present NGB's first V.P. Honored by every major gymnastics organization for his tireless efforts and personal sacrifices for the sport of gymnastics. Among the first four honorees of the World Acrobatics Society. p. 12

Alla Svirsky - Emigrated from Russia to the United States concentrating on rhythmic gymnastics in Southern California. She was the rhythmic coach for the United States for twenty years coaching our rhythmic gymnasts in two Olympics. p. 70

George Szypula - Longest coaching record (60+ years) with 42 years at Michigan State U. and volunteer coach at East Lansing High School. Four time NAAU Tumbling champion. While President of the NACGC, founded the National Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1957 (Helms Hall Gymnastics Hall of Fame) now sponsored by USA Gymnastics. Was the first recipient of Michigan State University’s Honor Coaching Award. p. 32

Kurt Thomas – The first, and only one of two gymnasts to win the Sullivan award. Three gold and three silver medals in World Championships inclusive of Silver All-Around in 1979. Introduced the “Flair” on PH and has three elements named for him in the FIG’s Code of Points. p. 24

Peter Vidmar - One of only two American men to win a silver AA medal in international open competition prior to Paul Hamm’s gold medals at the Olympics and World Championships. Captain of the 1984 Olympic gold medal team in Los Angeles and gold medalist on pommel horse. Later, a prominent spokesman for USA Gymnastics. p. 7

Herb Vogel - Father of women's collegiate gymnastics founding the first national invitational for women in 1965. His “Saluki” teams at Southern Illinois University dominated collegiate women’s gymnastics from 1965 until 1975. Posthumous honoree of the World Acrobatics Society’s Gallery of Honor. p. 23

Lyle Welser - Springfield College graduate, was active in national affairs establishing the Southern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League and the National Gymnastic Clinic in 1950. He coached for thirty years at Georgia Tech as a volunteer. p. 29

Eugene Wettstone - Big Ten all-around champion in 1935 and 1937 at U of Iowa. He coached at Penn State for 37 years where his teams accumulated nine NCAA titles. Coach or official at five Olympics and championed early efforts in gymnastics safety. Many of his gymnasts became prominent collegiate coaches. p. 57

George Wheeler - Was years ahead of his time winning five consecutive national AA titles and was national champion for five years in every event but rings. Member of the 1936 Olympic team. Later, was involved with youth gymnastics. p. 52

Judy Wills Cline - The most decorated international gymnast from the United States winning the first five World Championship titles on the trampoline and a Guinness record total of nine international titles. She was also a National Trampoline Coach. It is said she performed eight consecutive double twisting bounders during her legendary career and is among the first four honorees of the World Acrobatics Society. p. 23

Kim Zmeskal Burdette - First American woman to win the AA in a World Championships in 1991. She was a member of the team winning the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics. p. 63

Leopold F. Zwarg - A German immigrant and an elite gymnast, he established his reputation as an excellent coach publishing one of the better books on coaching in the 1920s. His 1930 dissertation on the evolution of apparatus is known and cited worldwide. Zwarg was the best gymnast in the United States but was declared a “Professional” by the AAU and was prevented from competing since he was a physical education teacher. p. 51