VAVRA, Charles “Charlie” (d) Inducted: 1963 Born: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Coach Charlie Vavra was a man who arrived at the University of Colorado to stay a year that became a career. As quoted in the Denver Post, Charlie said, “Life is not a series of awards, testimonials, etc. as it is with many sports figures. … Read more
UMPHREY, Chainey Inducted: 2005 Born: Albuquerque, NM Chainey Umphrey is a study in perseverance, and it led to a goal obviously very important to Chaney be an Olympic gymnast! He overcame so many obstacles that some might have called his efforts a problem with preseveration, but they were flat-tail wrong. It seemed to start when … Read more
SIMMS, Charlie (1928-2003) Inducted: 1989 Born: Los Angeles, CA “Charlie Simms was a good friend and mentor. He taught me most of what I learned on the HB and I copied his HB mount using it for my entire career. He helped me with the expenses of school and hired me during the summer after … Read more
SHANKEN, Courtney Inducted: 1975 Born: St. Louis, Missouri-USA Introducing Courtney Shanken is a special treat for me, your Web Manager, Larry Banner. After formatting the data that comes from a variety of sources, I must often create an introduction that seems to be thematic of the Inductee’s gymnastics and, often, personal lives. Courtney was not … Read more
ROTTMAN, Curtis Inducted: 1960 It appears that this early U.S. gymnast was first an expert on the HB as his four national HB championships would indicate. But he had to be an important part of his team for them to win on the several times the New York Turners won the National Team Championship. All … Read more
RIGBY-McCoy, Cathleen “Cathy” Inducted: 1997 Born: December 12, 1952 – Los Alamitos, California In 1968 just before the Olympic Trials, Cathy Rigby was asked by this writer to perform at an exhibition at the University of California, Irvine. The purpose was to raise money for athletic scholarships. Even though she was involved in a stringent … Read more
POND, Charlie (1915-2003) Inducted: 1966 Born: November 28, 1915. Dallas, TX “At age 12, I sneaked into . . . a gym and saw a guy tumbling. I asked him how he learned. It looked like fun.” And so began the tumbling, twisting, turning, coaching, inventing, and gymnastic service life of Charlie Pond. Olympic Games: … Read more
PHILLIPS, Chester “Chet” Inducted: 1963 In his or her own way, every U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame member has made an impact on our sport that has directly or indirectly influenced the next generation of athletes, coaches, judges, and contributors. Chet Phillips may not be a household name across the nation, but his efforts as … Read more
PATTERSON, A. Carl (1923-1968) Inducted: 1970 Born: Philadelphia, PA-USA Carl Patterson was inducted into the USGHOF based on his achievements as a coach, a judge, and for his contributions and service to the sport of gymnastics in America. Although many of his records have been lost to time, those that have been retrieved strongly indicate … Read more
MEMMEL, Chellsie Inducted: 2008-Team Member: Gold Medal World Championship Team, (2003) Chellsie Memmel has been in a gym since the day she was born. In the beginning, she could be found hanging out over Mom or Dad’s back while they coached. As soon as she started walking she was taking Parent & Child Classes, then … Read more